Is it worth applying to reaches RD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

Same.

I saw this play out for my kid and their friends last cycle.

Every one admitted that their winter break essays were much stronger than their early October. It showed in RD results.

Now, if you don’t improve your essays after Octover, then I suppose nothing will change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

Same.

I saw this play out for my kid and their friends last cycle.

Every one admitted that their winter break essays were much stronger than their early October. It showed in RD results.

Now, if you don’t improve your essays after Octover, then I suppose nothing will change.

Ugh, I know DS is not going to want to change his personal essay after agonizing over it for months…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

Same.

I saw this play out for my kid and their friends last cycle.

Every one admitted that their winter break essays were much stronger than their early October. It showed in RD results.

Now, if you don’t improve your essays after Octover, then I suppose nothing will change.

Ugh, I know DS is not going to want to change his personal essay after agonizing over it for months…

My kid started essays over the summer.
You can revise and second guess for months. But at a certain point, you gotta say this is it and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

RD is when my son was accepted to Ivies and T10s last year. No hooks.

He didn't ED anywhere.

same for DD

Can posters whose kids get into Ivies/T10 in RD with no hooks please share stats, kind of HS and whether ECs are tops or normal? TIA

Kid 1: 3.96uw, 4.88W, mcps magnet, 1560, tops ECs -- admitted to multiple Ivies/T10 RD, '22
Kid 2: 3.96uw, 4.82W, mcps magnet, 35, tops ECs -- admitted to Ivy early and done, '24

[Anonymous]

My kid didn’t get into reach RDs but I still think it’s worth it. Go for it!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

Same.

I saw this play out for my kid and their friends last cycle.

Every one admitted that their winter break essays were much stronger than their early October. It showed in RD results.

Now, if you don’t improve your essays after Octover, then I suppose nothing will change.

Ugh, I know DS is not going to want to change his personal essay after agonizing over it for months…

My kid started essays over the summer.
You can revise and second guess for months. But at a certain point, you gotta say this is it and move on.

Mine also did their CA over the summer. We recently re-read it and it still holds up. Each writer is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

Same.

I saw this play out for my kid and their friends last cycle.

Every one admitted that their winter break essays were much stronger than their early October. It showed in RD results.

Now, if you don’t improve your essays after Octover, then I suppose nothing will change.

Ugh, I know DS is not going to want to change his personal essay after agonizing over it for months…

My kid started essays over the summer.
You can revise and second guess for months. But at a certain point, you gotta say this is it and move on.

Mine also did their CA over the summer. We recently re-read it and it still holds up. Each writer is different.

Mine re-edited and refined their August essay in late October. Much much stronger.

[Anonymous]

Our DS is in a different class academically than most of the kids discussed on her. He also wants a larger state school. He got into one of his target/reach schools. It is instate. He likes it. No way is Ohio State (perhaps a little better school academically) worth 20,000 more a year. So, he is basically done. He has a couple of schools that he will hear from in December. One he has a chance of getting in state tuition after a year so that is a reasonable alternative. His other reach school will likely come with some merit aid. So, we will have to compare costs. There are really only a handful of state schools that may be worth an OOS premium (UVA, UNC, Michigan, UCLA and Berkley). But we don't have millions in investments so that extra 100,000 means a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DS is in a different class academically than most of the kids discussed on her. He also wants a larger state school. He got into one of his target/reach schools. It is instate. He likes it. No way is Ohio State (perhaps a little better school academically) worth 20,000 more a year. So, he is basically done. He has a couple of schools that he will hear from in December. One he has a chance of getting in state tuition after a year so that is a reasonable alternative. His other reach school will likely come with some merit aid. So, we will have to compare costs. There are really only a handful of state schools that may be worth an OOS premium (UVA, UNC, Michigan, UCLA and Berkley). But we don't have millions in investments so that extra 100,000 means a lot.

Agree.

But the calculation is different when looking at private schools.
Some private schools (and small class sizes, resources and focused teacher instruction) may be worth the extra money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

Same.

I saw this play out for my kid and their friends last cycle.

Every one admitted that their winter break essays were much stronger than their early October. It showed in RD results.

Now, if you don’t improve your essays after Octover, then I suppose nothing will change.

Ugh, I know DS is not going to want to change his personal essay after agonizing over it for months…

My kid started essays over the summer.
You can revise and second guess for months. But at a certain point, you gotta say this is it and move on.

Mine also did their CA over the summer. We recently re-read it and it still holds up. Each writer is different.

Mine re-edited and refined their August essay in late October. Much much stronger.

See? Look at that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had terrible ED and EA results coming from a Big 3 private. My kid got very solid RD acceptances. Most of the schools they were interested in did not have EA. They also tweaked essays before RD round.

This.
Most RD applications are stronger than the ED/EA applications. All that writing and rewriting helps refine a narrative.

How could you possibly know this?

I'm not PP, but I think the idea is that most applicants are likely to refine or improve their applications in the 6-8 weeks between their ED application and their RD applications. I think my DD's supplemental essays probably got a little better after she had done her first few apps and she was able to add things like her Fall grades and some additional awards and accomplishments.

Same.

I saw this play out for my kid and their friends last cycle.

Every one admitted that their winter break essays were much stronger than their early October. It showed in RD results.

Now, if you don’t improve your essays after Octover, then I suppose nothing will change.

Ugh, I know DS is not going to want to change his personal essay after agonizing over it for months…

My kid started essays over the summer.
You can revise and second guess for months. But at a certain point, you gotta say this is it and move on.

Mine also did their CA over the summer. We recently re-read it and it still holds up. Each writer is different.

Mine re-edited and refined their August essay in late October. Much much stronger.

See? Look at that!

I think most of the re-edits are boys.
I see a BIG difference in how my son and daughter handled essays/college admissions processes and the link

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

RD is when my son was accepted to Ivies and T10s last year. No hooks.

He didn't ED anywhere.

+1
DS did not ED. Was accepted to Ivy and T10 and T25s with RD

[Anonymous]

My kid applied EA to several schools - reaches, targets and safeties. Already has acceptances from a few targets and safeties.

So he was willing to submit a few more - just submitted to Yale, Columbia and Vanderbilt. Already applied to Northwestern, WF and USC.

Started apps for Harvard and Penn and will finish next week. And then he’s done!