ED Bump at Bowdoin or Middlebury

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They both offer ED2, so she should apply to her preferred school ED1, plan to file to the other ED2, and have a Plan C (St. Lawrence? Whitman?) she'd be excited about.

I think she’s going to end up disappointed with this approach. I’d choose one for ED1 and then go for a more reasonable ED2. It’s really easy to get boxed out from the small lacs if you’re not in at ED. Middlebury is larger so I think it’s the better bet. Coming from a private and with athletics as her ec, she’s really not bringing much diversity from all the athletic recruits.

Exactly. Good friend's DC applied ED1 for one of those two last cycle then to a very slightly less competitive for ED2 and was boxed out - denied not just deferred - at both. Think GPA higher than OP's DC and had good test scores.

Our full pay DC had a similar (maybe slightly lower) GPA, a 34 ACT, two varsity sports but not captain, and very impressive ECs (not national level but definitely showed continuity in and connection among them). His school CC - also the office director - dissuaded DC from applying ED to one of these schools. Said that DC would get deferred in ED1 then denied in RD and asked if that is how DC wanted the ED card to play out.

If OP's DC will be unhappy if they do not try, then risk it on Middlebury as I strongly doubt Bowdoin will even consider. But then they need to have a good list in the three categories, some probable EAs, and be ready to go ED2 with a lower ranked school.

Make a concrete ED2 suggestion. The only LACs I can think of that are similar to Midd and Bowdoin but more selective than St. Lawrence and Whitman are Colby and Hamilton--neither of which is a meaningfully easier admit than Midd or Bowdoin. (I suppose maybe Kenyon, but that's a significantly different locale.) Since DD will get admitted to St. Lawrence and/or Whitman RD, why not spend her ED bullets on her actual first and second choices?

Your info on Colby and Hamilton may be a bit dated. Hamilton, in particular, is a very hot school right now and as difficult to get into than Middlebury. Colby just behind. Fact is the majority of NESCACs are very difficult to get into.

Do you realize that you're actually agreeing with the info you're calling "dated"?

[Anonymous]

Is there more of a bump if it is a boy with similar stats of a 3.7 (out of 4) at a private school and a 33 ACT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there more of a bump if it is a boy with similar stats of a 3.7 (out of 4) at a private school and a 33 ACT?

Sure, that boy, with no other hook, applying ED, would have maybe a 1 in 20 shot at admission instead of the 1 in 30 shot a comparable girl would have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there more of a bump if it is a boy with similar stats of a 3.7 (out of 4) at a private school and a 33 ACT?

Sure, that boy, with no other hook, applying ED, would have maybe a 1 in 20 shot at admission instead of the 1 in 30 shot a comparable girl would have.

Are you serious? A boy with a 3.7 GPA from a private school (so presumably no weighted GPA available) and a 33 ACT would have only a 5% chance of getting into Bowdoin or Middlebury ED?

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update. Hamilton coach came back after pre read and said they would support DD in an ED1 application. Colby coach seems to have ghosted kid. I understand if their roster changes but it's not a great look to just ignore kids emails. My DD has emailed several times asking Coach to just let her know if she is no longer on his list but no word back at all

I'm thrilled with Hamilton but DD still thinks she wants to go aggressive and try her luck at ED1 Middlebury/Bowdoin. I'm hoping when school reopens the counselors can talk to her more about her odds. No point in my being the bad guy in this process which is how it will turn out if I try to influence her decision making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. Hamilton coach came back after pre read and said they would support DD in an ED1 application. Colby coach seems to have ghosted kid. I understand if their roster changes but it's not a great look to just ignore kids emails. My DD has emailed several times asking Coach to just let her know if she is no longer on his list but no word back at all

I'm thrilled with Hamilton but DD still thinks she wants to go aggressive and try her luck at ED1 Middlebury/Bowdoin. I'm hoping when school reopens the counselors can talk to her more about her odds. No point in my being the bad guy in this process which is how it will turn out if I try to influence her decision making.

Congrats to your daughter! Your approach is sound, spoken as another parent 😊.
Also, I think Hamilton is a great college and for whatever it is worth, my kid is contemplating trying for Hamilton, where he could not play his sport, over Colby and Bates, where he has some coach support for his apps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. Hamilton coach came back after pre read and said they would support DD in an ED1 application. Colby coach seems to have ghosted kid. I understand if their roster changes but it's not a great look to just ignore kids emails. My DD has emailed several times asking Coach to just let her know if she is no longer on his list but no word back at all

I'm thrilled with Hamilton but DD still thinks she wants to go aggressive and try her luck at ED1 Middlebury/Bowdoin. I'm hoping when school reopens the counselors can talk to her more about her odds. No point in my being the bad guy in this process which is how it will turn out if I try to influence her decision making.

What does this mean? She would give up a guaranteed spot at Hamilton for a maybe spot at Middlebury or Bowdoin? Does she play her sport at mid or bow or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. Hamilton coach came back after pre read and said they would support DD in an ED1 application. Colby coach seems to have ghosted kid. I understand if their roster changes but it's not a great look to just ignore kids emails. My DD has emailed several times asking Coach to just let her know if she is no longer on his list but no word back at all

I'm thrilled with Hamilton but DD still thinks she wants to go aggressive and try her luck at ED1 Middlebury/Bowdoin. I'm hoping when school reopens the counselors can talk to her more about her odds. No point in my being the bad guy in this process which is how it will turn out if I try to influence her decision making.

What does this mean? She would give up a guaranteed spot at Hamilton for a maybe spot at Middlebury or Bowdoin? Does she play her sport at mid or bow or not?

I would advise your daughter to think about this very carefully. She may end up with nothing if she tries her luck at Middlebury or Bowdoin and doesn't apply to Hamilton ED1 Those are both very competitive schools and many of their ED1 applicants will be athletes with coach support. Will the Hamilton coach support her application if she applies regular decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. Hamilton coach came back after pre read and said they would support DD in an ED1 application. Colby coach seems to have ghosted kid. I understand if their roster changes but it's not a great look to just ignore kids emails. My DD has emailed several times asking Coach to just let her know if she is no longer on his list but no word back at all

I'm thrilled with Hamilton but DD still thinks she wants to go aggressive and try her luck at ED1 Middlebury/Bowdoin. I'm hoping when school reopens the counselors can talk to her more about her odds. No point in my being the bad guy in this process which is how it will turn out if I try to influence her decision making. [/quote

I would be careful - all the NESCAC coaches talk to each other (more in some sports than others). You might end up with nothing. On a personal perspective, I’d take Hamilton over Middlebury any day of the week. Too isolated for my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. Hamilton coach came back after pre read and said they would support DD in an ED1 application. Colby coach seems to have ghosted kid. I understand if their roster changes but it's not a great look to just ignore kids emails. My DD has emailed several times asking Coach to just let her know if she is no longer on his list but no word back at all

I'm thrilled with Hamilton but DD still thinks she wants to go aggressive and try her luck at ED1 Middlebury/Bowdoin. I'm hoping when school reopens the counselors can talk to her more about her odds. No point in my being the bad guy in this process which is how it will turn out if I try to influence her decision making.

What does this mean? She would give up a guaranteed spot at Hamilton for a maybe spot at Middlebury or Bowdoin? Does she play her sport at mid or bow or not?

I would advise your daughter to think about this very carefully. She may end up with nothing if she tries her luck at Middlebury or Bowdoin and doesn't apply to Hamilton ED1 Those are both very competitive schools and many of their ED1 applicants will be athletes with coach support. Will the Hamilton coach support her application if she applies regular decision?

Know one kid who got in ED1, none in ED2, and only one kid who got in RD @ Hamilton. The last one - top student, deferred in ED1 then rejected at an Ivy, and may walk on for football (and will probably make at his size and ability). All girls who applied were deferred/rejected or rejected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there more of a bump if it is a boy with similar stats of a 3.7 (out of 4) at a private school and a 33 ACT?

Sure, that boy, with no other hook, applying ED, would have maybe a 1 in 20 shot at admission instead of the 1 in 30 shot a comparable girl would have.

Are you serious? A boy with a 3.7 GPA from a private school (so presumably no weighted GPA available) and a 33 ACT would have only a 5% chance of getting into Bowdoin or Middlebury ED?

I too think this sounds exaggerated. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there more of a bump if it is a boy with similar stats of a 3.7 (out of 4) at a private school and a 33 ACT?

Sure, that boy, with no other hook, applying ED, would have maybe a 1 in 20 shot at admission instead of the 1 in 30 shot a comparable girl would have.

Are you serious? A boy with a 3.7 GPA from a private school (so presumably no weighted GPA available) and a 33 ACT would have only a 5% chance of getting into Bowdoin or Middlebury ED?

I too think this sounds exaggerated. Thoughts?

There are recruited athletes with these grades that don’t get passed the pre-read. Without a hook, 5% is generous

[Anonymous]

According to CC:

Bowdoin ED rate is 22%. Last year, Bowdoin College admitted 242 of the 1123 students who applied early decision.

Middlebury ED is 47% (!!) Last year, Middlebury College admitted 392 of the 838 students who applied early decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. Hamilton coach came back after pre read and said they would support DD in an ED1 application. Colby coach seems to have ghosted kid. I understand if their roster changes but it's not a great look to just ignore kids emails. My DD has emailed several times asking Coach to just let her know if she is no longer on his list but no word back at all

I'm thrilled with Hamilton but DD still thinks she wants to go aggressive and try her luck at ED1 Middlebury/Bowdoin. I'm hoping when school reopens the counselors can talk to her more about her odds. No point in my being the bad guy in this process which is how it will turn out if I try to influence her decision making. [/quote

I would be careful - all the NESCAC coaches talk to each other (more in some sports than others). You might end up with nothing. On a personal perspective, I’d take Hamilton over Middlebury any day of the week. Too isolated for my kid.

Hamilton is my alma mater and I was very happy there. However, I wonder if you have ever been there? Hamilton is as isolated as Midd. I see it as a value-add but not everyone will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to CC:

Bowdoin ED rate is 22%. Last year, Bowdoin College admitted 242 of the 1123 students who applied early decision.

Middlebury ED is 47% (!!) Last year, Middlebury College admitted 392 of the 838 students who applied early decision.

Some of those Middlebury ED admits are for a February start not September. Middlebury is more likely but OP's daughter is still middle of the pack for both schools with her grades and test scores. She's not offered any of other information about her DD that might be enticing to Middlebury or Bowdoin. Most kids applying ED will have similar stats, many will have better. What will make her stand out in the ED application pool when Bowdoin still only takes 1 in 5 of their ED apps?