How did you decide: ED, or gamble?

[Anonymous]

DD has high stats (perfect SAT, 4.0 gpa, highest rigor across STEM and Humanities at her high school). She has a few writing awards. She also has an unusual science passion that translated to a prestigious (not pay to play) internship, which might pique the interest of universities. She's been doing an artistic extra curricular since she was little and has measurable third party indicators of progress, and some community involvement relating to it, but nothing flashy or on a large scale, apart from her years of dedication. The atypical scientific spike is probably what sets her apart, because it's not the usual STEM suspects. On the other hand, she's not sure that's what she wants to do all her life, so she would like to hedge and attend a university where she can switch majors.

At that level, how do you decide whether to ED at a school where ED significantly improves one's chances of admission... or gamble on other reaches in the hope that one of them comes through? If she had a preference for one of those ED schools, it would be easy, but she doesn't, and some of these schools lock you into a path.

[Anonymous]

ED only to her first choice.

[Anonymous]

That is the big question! If she doesn’t have a fav though I would take the risk. We chose ED because it was one kids absolute first choice and he needed the boost. It worked but will always wonder. The other kid did ED and was deferred. Ended up happy as a clam somewhere else and so happy he didn’t get in. So go with the gut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has high stats (perfect SAT, 4.0 gpa, highest rigor across STEM and Humanities at her high school). She has a few writing awards. She also has an unusual science passion that translated to a prestigious (not pay to play) internship, which might pique the interest of universities. She's been doing an artistic extra curricular since she was little and has measurable third party indicators of progress, and some community involvement relating to it, but nothing flashy or on a large scale, apart from her years of dedication. The atypical scientific spike is probably what sets her apart, because it's not the usual STEM suspects. On the other hand, she's not sure that's what she wants to do all her life, so she would like to hedge and attend a university where she can switch majors.

At that level, how do you decide whether to ED at a school where ED significantly improves one's chances of admission... or gamble on other reaches in the hope that one of them comes through? If she had a preference for one of those ED schools, it would be easy, but she doesn't, and some of these schools lock you into a path.

DS said go big or go home. REA, got deferred which made him questioned his choices, but was glad that the RD turned out much better than expected.

[Anonymous]

Has she visited all of the possible ED choices? My S23 ED’d, he had a clear favorite after touring a dozen schools. D26 didn’t want to be locked in, also wanted to see what kind of merit she’d get. She was certain about going RD. I was nervous but it turned out just fine, with plenty of great options to choose from. Don’t be afraid of RD, once you take into account the athletes, legacies and big hooks, at many schools there’s less of an advantage that you might initially think. With your DD’s stats and ECs, she’s bound to do well. Let her decide- have her go with her gut. Remember that for smart, talented kids will excel wherever they land, and most T50 schools are more similar than they are different

[Anonymous]

Only ED if it’s the definite first choice. DC is super torn between two favorites — one is a safety, and one is a high target/reach with a clear ED boost. Still doesn’t want ED to it because also loves the other school and just can’t decide between them yet. And that’s ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD has high stats (perfect SAT, 4.0 gpa, highest rigor across STEM and Humanities at her high school). She has a few writing awards. She also has an unusual science passion that translated to a prestigious (not pay to play) internship, which might pique the interest of universities. She's been doing an artistic extra curricular since she was little and has measurable third party indicators of progress, and some community involvement relating to it, but nothing flashy or on a large scale, apart from her years of dedication. The atypical scientific spike is probably what sets her apart, because it's not the usual STEM suspects. On the other hand, she's not sure that's what she wants to do all her life, so she would like to hedge and attend a university where she can switch majors.

At that level, how do you decide whether to ED at a school where ED significantly improves one's chances of admission... or gamble on other reaches in the hope that one of them comes through? If she had a preference for one of those ED schools, it would be easy, but she doesn't, and some of these schools lock you into a path.

DS said go big or go home. REA, got deferred which made him questioned his choices, but was glad that the RD turned out much better than expected.

+1 my DS was the same, just couldn't get comfortable with binding ED, luckily had a couple of encouraging EA acceptances in Feb (Mich and UVA) the waiting and drip, drip, drip nature of the RD results was hard but ended up with amazing choices and is super happy. Importantly, this has to be your DC's decision, if they don't really have a 1st choice above all other it comes down to which of two scenarios they think will hardest for them to live with: you make a strategic choice to ED to school where that is a boost you get in but you never know whether you would have gotten into one that deep down you like more or you don't ED and then you only get into schools that you view as sub optimal to the one that you didn't ED to? They have to picture the two scenarios and make the call.

[Anonymous]

Your DC should decision (of course) but if it were me I would probably pick a school with the ability to easily change majors that your kid is excited about and that gives an advantage to ED and apply ED. Either that or apply EA to Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has high stats (perfect SAT, 4.0 gpa, highest rigor across STEM and Humanities at her high school). She has a few writing awards. She also has an unusual science passion that translated to a prestigious (not pay to play) internship, which might pique the interest of universities. She's been doing an artistic extra curricular since she was little and has measurable third party indicators of progress, and some community involvement relating to it, but nothing flashy or on a large scale, apart from her years of dedication. The atypical scientific spike is probably what sets her apart, because it's not the usual STEM suspects. On the other hand, she's not sure that's what she wants to do all her life, so she would like to hedge and attend a university where she can switch majors.

At that level, how do you decide whether to ED at a school where ED significantly improves one's chances of admission... or gamble on other reaches in the hope that one of them comes through? If she had a preference for one of those ED schools, it would be easy, but she doesn't, and some of these schools lock you into a path.

Then she should not be ED’ing anywhere.

[Anonymous]

It's still early, you have time to do confirmatory second visits in the falls to see if a favorite emerges. We started early with the goal of putting our kids in a position to choose a favorite for ED. After first round visits, we went back to the top few a second time so they could get more info. That did the trick. They both were able to pick a top choice and got in ED1.

My philosophy is that you are going to need to pick one school sooner or later so you may as well do it sooner when it gives you a boost. Also it's a huge gift to get in early in sr year and be DONE.

I'm a fan of applying to your #1 as long as you are reasonably within stats for it, not trying to game with a lesser favorite that is more likely to take you.

[Anonymous]

For smaller colleges make sure you look at the percentage of athletes who make up the student body. Not all ED acceptance rates are the same.

[Anonymous]

ED is possible if your kid has 2 or 3 schools that are equally desirable to them.

Perhaps unusual, but my DS had 3 favorites, would have been pleased with any of the 3.

Deferred ED1, accepted ED2, happy with the outcome, enjoying the school where currently enrolled.

[Anonymous]

OP’s kid is a pretty impressive applicant and has no true favorite. If she’s comfortable writing a lot of essays, I would gamble.

[Anonymous]

My kid did REA at two schools that did not allow ED anywhere else. Got into one of them (2nd choice) but ended up applying to other schools regular that had only offered ED for early round. Got into what she had considered her third choice, and after attending the 2nd and 3rd choice schools accepted students events, turned down the REA 2nd choice and enrolled in the 3rd choice. Kid's opinions evolve as more information becomes available. It's not what we would have expected at all at the beginning of the process!

[Anonymous]

Do finances matter? Your kid has a really good chance of significant merit aid or scholarships. With no clear #1, I’d play the field.

I know of several kids (dd graduated this year) that thought they had a #1 or wanted to Ed to a “reach” in oct, got in, and are now wondering “what could’ve been.” Parents are too because they’re in the hook for full pay.