Is early decision worth it?Answered
Hi! I am trying to decide between an early decision vs a regular decision for my dream college. I would apply test-optional so I would be lower on the list but the rest of my application is above average. Would it be worth applying to Northwestern Early Decision or should I hold off until
regular decision? Thank you!
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2 answers
The best advice I've ever gotten is to visit the colleges because you'll know if it's the place for you.
If you already know that it's the place for you and don't have any other schools that you are on the fence about, do it. But if you feel unease in applying early decision, or think you might change your mind, apply regular.
Do what makes you more confident and comfortable.
Honestly, it's a pure judgment call on your behalf because there are pros and cons to applying to NW ED.
Like many T20 schools, NW heavily recruits athletes, legacies, and children of faculty and various first-gen/low-income students (Questbridge, Posse) during the ED round. While the ED acceptance rate is 20% or about 3X better than the overall rate of 7%, keep in mind that the stats are skewed because of the 1000 ED admits they accept, about 1/2 of these folks are ALDC or low-income/first-gen students. So the real ED rate is closer to 10% not 20% (500/5200)
Also, keep in mind that 47% of admitted students who matriculated submitted the SAT and 31% submitted the ACT for a total of 78%. That is more than 3/4s of matriculated students who submitted standardized test scores so NW is one of those schools that gives more props to students that submit a high test score versus not submitting one at all.
Therefore you should weigh the pros and cons of applying early and decide for yourself if you want to shoot your shot in the ED round or not. If you get in, that would be great. But if you don't, then you have only 2-3 weeks to fill out all your RD applications.
Good luck.
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