question about ED

[abcxyz0123]

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do you think applying ED helps out alot in getting in, or does it not really matter? Also, if you do apply to one school ED, do you have to wait until they give you back a rejection in order to apply to other schools non-ed? tahts what i got out of the description of the ED option at the uchicago website.

 

[bigdan]

I considered ED. It's gives you an edge in that you apply to only one school - one application, one interview, no extra crap or hotels or tolls or car rental, etc.

You lose out on a lot, too. You do have to wait for a rejection to seek another school. You MUST go to the ED school if you are accepted. And the schools are somewhat more scrutinizing in their search during ED, because they want to make sure that they are getting the very best applicant, because thousands more folks will be applying during the regular cycle.

I would recommend against ED, but that's just my opinion. You give up an awful lot (potentially), but knowing that you're in that early and saving all that money would have been nice.

Good luck either way.

dc

 

[DrYo12]

Yes. Early decision essentially puts all the eggs in one basket. If you think you have a reasonable chance of getting in (and I mean be BRUTALLY honest with yourself) or have some family reason for wanting to go to a certain school (spouse, children, etc), then ED is a good way to make sure you end up somewhere. ED is a gamble for a school, so its really tough to get in that way, but if you do, more power to you.

Also, from what I understand and have been told many times is that you can only apply to that one school. After Oct. 15th, you can apply to others if you aren't accepted. If you ARE accepted, you are committed to that school and can't apply to any others after that. Its nice to know where you'll be going next year, but its a gamble if you don't get in because now you'll be rather late in the process.

 

[cowgirl]

I'd say if it's ur state school you won't have to sweat it as hard and it may actually be an advantage to apply ED. I know of a lot of folk with grossly low gpas and mcats who have been accepted to my state school ED during this cycle.

 

[generic]

2 thumbs up for EDP! I got in on 9/29 and I haven't had to buy a plane ticket, hotel room, drive 8 hours to North Texas, etc. during the whole process. But yes, I have family and other reasons to go to Baylor and I decided long ago that I really wanted to go there. So I would say if you've got enough reason to really want a specific school and you have #'s and EC's and all that should make you competitive and you don't mind getting your stuff done early (which everyone should do anyway), DO IT!

But you're right, if you are not accepted EDP you then must apply to all the other places you might go and you won't find that out until at latest Oct. 1 (not 15th), which may put you at a disadvantage. But then again, there seem to be plenty of people who apply in Sept./Oct. and get in to great schools, especially if they have pretty good stats (which you must have to apply to many ED programs).

 

[iamgoaloriented]

It is only a good thing to do if you totally have your heart set on the school and you feel you have an excellent chance of getting in.

EDP tends to be pretty competetive, so if your application isnt stong you are wasting your time. If rejected you enter the game late and hurt your chances getting into other school that are rolling and you will be done with the process pretty late.

If you are accepted though, you will be done with this awful process in October, without having spent much time and money, and you will already be into your number 1 choice while a lot of people are still doing secondaries.

It is a great thing, its just not the wisest option for everyone.

 

[Shades McCool]

If you are a cocky, son of a bitch, do ED! 😉

 

[stoic]

If you are a cocky, son of a bitch, do ED! 😉

yea man, you gotta be a badass with huge nuts to go for it!

in all seirousness you should find out a little more about the edp programs at the schools you're considering. at top teir schools, ED is ultracompetative. however, at a lot of state schools, if you're a decent applicant and interview well they'll take you pretty much everytime (ie how i managed to sneak into med school).

i did ED and have no regrets. it was, however, a very good situation for me. feel free to post more questions here or pm me.

good luck,
s

ps. did i mention how wonderful it is to have the rest of my senior year to dick around, party, chase tail, skip class, and generally be the rockin' college student that must die next year?