Early Decision

[vermont0210]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Anyone applying early decision to school? Thoughts about only applying to one school . . .??

 

[cornell2004]

Anyone applying early decision to school? Thoughts about only applying to one school . . .??

risky

 

[Fermata]

risky

Very risky.

 

[ChemMN]

If you have a great GPA and great MCAT scores that surpass the averages at the school you are applying to along with outstanding post-secondary experiences, I would go for it.

On the other hand, if your stats are borderline it would probably not be a good idea.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

How much earlier is it anyways? Like 10 days for rolling schools right?

 

[Gleevec]

If you have a great GPA and great MCAT scores that surpass the averages at the school you are applying to along with outstanding post-secondary experiences, I would go for it.

I think you would get in by regular decision then...

 

[i61164]

Anyone applying early decision to school? Thoughts about only applying to one school . . .??

I am applying early to UNC (against the advice of some experienced SDNers) and here is my reasoning:

1. Applying early tells the school that you are committed to going there. Schools like to be your first choice and will often reject qualified applicants that are likely to go elsewhere if accepted.

2. If you get deferred, you have a good chance of getting into that school later. I was told by the UNC admissions office that 99% (this may have been an exaggeration) of students applying EDP got in (if not EDP, then regular).

3. You will be able to focus your efforts on that school. You won't be spreading yourself thin working on tons of secondaries and interviews (initially, at least). This will help you put your best foot forward with your dream school.

4. You won't have to come up with answers to the questions "Why do you want to go to (enter 2nd choice here)?" or "Why do you want to go to (enter 3rd choice here)?" If your heart is totally set on one school, these may be tough questions to answer honestly.

5. Obviously the risk is that you will get deferred and have to apply to other schools "late in the game." By applying late to the other schools, your chances of getting into them is diminished.

6. If you don't get in anywhere you can reapply next year or go Caribbean. I believe those schools have rolling admissions.

You can call the admissions office and ask them if you are a competitive applicant. If not, then EDP is not for you. For me, the risk is worth it. I know that I may end up in Grenada (with a 3.76/30) but I am also maximizing my chances at UNC.

 

[bigdan]

i611-

Good points. I'd also add that you're saving thousands - literally - if things go well.

On the other hand, unless you're a stellar applicant, the school may not wanna risk taking you because there might be a whole pool of better folks applying regular decision. And if you are stellar, why (potentially) settle for ED and full tuition, when you could rouse up some financial aid strategies and get a full ride/better package elsewhere?

dc

 

[vermont0210]

Thanks for all the advise. I am resident of vermont and really want to go to UVM but I am afraid of applying to only one school. I am waiting for my mcat results but I have a good gpa (3.5) and many post-secondary experiences.

 

[BaLeavaMD]

I'm applying early decision!!
1) You know by October 1st if you get in so you can relax until next August
2) If you don't get in, you'll still apply to other schools in plenty of time...you have nothing to lose
3) You do NOT have to have a wonderful GPA and MCAT score to apply early..that is a myth!! Less people are applying, so you MIGHT have a better chance to get in early than if you wait until they have all the top applications in the country!!

 

[pathdr2b]

I'm SERIOUSLY thinking about it too!

 

[BaLeavaMD]

Do it path!! I know that from your thoughts on MomMd....you're gonna get in!!!

 

[HIIC]

2. If you get deferred, you have a good chance of getting into that school later. I was told by the UNC admissions office that 99% (this may have been an exaggeration) of students applying EDP got in (if not EDP, then regular).

that number is obviously horse****. if 99% of the people who applied EDP got into UNC, then everyone would apply EDP to UNC. there are tons of people out there who want to go to UNC. I am one of them.

By the way, I applied to UNC this year with stats better than yours in both gpa and mcat. im an ivy league grad. my interview skills are really good (Dr. Hoole confirmed this). I have plenty of experience. I wasnt offered admission for the fall 2004 entering class.

i am not saying this to discourage you, but to warn you. dont assume anything. nothign is 99% sure with the admissions process.

 

[ChemMN]

How much earlier is it anyways? Like 10 days for rolling schools right?

Not necessarily. You will know your status by the first of October, but more likely you will know before then. If you apply in the regular applicant pool, the schools cannot admit you before Oct. 15th, but under EDP they can admit you any time before Oct. 1.

 

[i61164]

that number is obviously horse****. if 99% of the people who applied EDP got into UNC, then everyone would apply EDP to UNC. there are tons of people out there who want to go to UNC. I am one of them.

By the way, I applied to UNC this year with stats better than yours in both gpa and mcat. im an ivy league grad. my interview skills are really good (Dr. Hoole confirmed this). I have plenty of experience. I wasnt offered admission for the fall 2004 entering class.

i am not saying this to discourage you, but to warn you. dont assume anything. nothign is 99% sure with the admissions process.

Well, if I don't get in early I'll have to try plan B: Find a cure for cancer. If that doesn't work, I will probably send LOI's to them every month explaining why I should be admitted (what would I have to loose?). I guess we will see what happens. I'm only quoting what I was told by Randee. Are you an out-of-stater? Only in-staters can apply EDP to UNC. Out-of-staters need something extra to get in (eskimo blood, three boobs, etc.). Anyway, I hope everything worked out for the best.

 

[HIIC]

Well, if I don't get in early I'll have to try plan B: Find a cure for cancer. If that doesn't work, I will probably send LOI's to them every month explaining why I should be admitted (what would I have to loose?). I guess we will see what happens. I'm only quoting what I was told by Randee. Are you an out-of-stater? Only in-staters can apply EDP to UNC. Out-of-staters need something extra to get in (eskimo blood, three boobs, etc.). Anyway, I hope everything worked out for the best.

LOI's every month? been there done that.
Out-of-stater? No.

i know this sounds miserable but thats what I am. After my experience with last years application process, it seems like all they do is draw names from a hat or something.

Seriously, people think they have the admissions game all mapped out. Dont completely believe what anyone else preaches. Understand it, appreciate it, even apply it, but take it all with a grain of salt.

The point is to try your hardest, do you best, and hope that your name is drawn from the hat...

 

[pathdr2b]

Do it path!! I know that from your thoughts on MomMd....you're gonna get in!!!

Getting in early decision MD/PhD seems a little trickier

 

[i61164]

LOI's every month? been there done that.
Out-of-stater? No.

i know this sounds miserable but thats what I am. After my experience with last years application process, it seems like all they do is draw names from a hat or something.

Seriously, people think they have the admissions game all mapped out. Dont completely believe what anyone else preaches. Understand it, appreciate it, even apply it, but take it all with a grain of salt.

The point is to try your hardest, do you best, and hope that your name is drawn from the hat...

trying...not...to...stress...out

Seriously, your story is a bit unsettling for me. I don't really believe that I have a 99% chance of getting in, but I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't be bummed to get rejected. Care to join me in a "drink away the pain" party if I do?

PS: Sorry for hijacking the thread.

 

[Gleevec]

I too once considered applying early decision to my top choice school (which luckily I will be attending via regular decision), but there i no guarantee things would have worked out well if I had applied early.

What people dont consider is that this whole process is very random. Sure, you can weigh the dice with your stats, ECs, interview, but ultimately the adcoms are still rolling the dice and you have no control over that.

So knowing that its better to apply earlier in the cycle as to get an interview, etc, would you rather have one school roll the dice only once (EDP) or several schools roll the dice (regular decision).

EDP is putting all your eggs in a basket, and if things dont work out, you are way behind for regular decision.

Search on SDN for people who applied EDP. Sure, some have been fortunate (though, to be honest, I think many of these people would have gotten in anyway), but several have also been deferred into the regular pool. Most people arent rejected in EDP, but being deferred to the regular pool is just as bad since youve hampered your chances at other schools.

 

[rapshi]

EDP is worth the risk, if your stats are good. Even if you get rejected ( highly unlikely) or put back into the reg app pool, you are still applying with the August people. ttfn. 😎

 

[IcedCube]

I'm applying ED to my state school (ranked by USNews in bottom 25% tier) for family & financial reasons, and I'm confident in its education programme, which is much more "hands on" than some of the big name research-oriented schools. Financially, I'd be in debt 75K (perhaps less w/scholarship) vs. god knows what with the top 20 privates. Secondary reasons include: better chances of AOA@ bottom tier school, affiliation with two top 50 hospitals (great clinical rotations), "less competitive atmosphere", solid match list, and I dont want to send 20+ applications+interview costs.

My stats are significantly above the accepted average. I met with the admissions dean, who told me my chances are competitive. Nothings taken for granted in this process, but i like my chances and am comfy with my decision.

 

[thackl]

Do you have a good reason for doing this. Just to let the school know you are serious is not a good enough reason to take the risk. I, along with 8 others, were invited to interview EDP at TTU. I was the only one accepted. The others had to scramble and apply with the August MCAT'ers.

My reason was to move my family and get established. EDP allowed me to find out 5 months sooner than the others and this was my first choice school. I also had stats far exceeding the averages for Tech, so the risk was lower.