mirandastern

So my top two options are tied between Brown and Harvard. Obviously it's a long shot getting into either of these schools for anyone, but I just wouldn't feel right about applying early action on any other school. I'm torn between which to choose to apply for however. Obviously I have some time (I'm a sophomore), but I'd like to decide now to avoid dealing with the choice at the last minute...

My gpa will be in the mid to high 4's by the time i apply.

I will have taken 8 APs (AP U.S History, AP Art History, AP Government&Economics, AP Statsitics, AP Calculus, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP English 4) along with 3 other weighted honors courses.

By that time I will have also had these ec's:
NHS
Founder and President of my county's first UNICEF club, second in the state, something very important to me
Academic Team (GWOC champions)
JCOWA (Junior counsil of world affairs)
Student Counsil
Have been a volunteer at the city's art institution for about 2 and a half years
Student mentor and tutor at the local orphanage
Volunteer swim coach for special needs children
Held a part time job all through highschool
YMCA junior leadership, YMCA student ambassador
Assistant Teacher at the Museum of Natural Science during the summers

I don't know my SAT/ACT scores as of now, but I have been preparing for them since freshman year, so I hope to do well.

For the colleges I am going to apply to, I am either applying to major in Education with a concentration in English. Or, especially for these two colleges, I will major either apply for a major in english and apply sophomore year to the 5 year bachelor-to-masters program in education.



If this helps at all, which should I apply early action to? What seems like the best match for me? I'm completely torn!

Thanks!

Wordworker

Many things could happen between now and then.

Also, if you want to be a teacher, you might be better served at your state university. English teachers have poor job prospects, and the state school will have connections in public school systems. Also, if you qualify for merit scholarships, you can reduce your costs; teachers make enough to live on, but debt repayment can be difficult.

If you want to teach English, you also should practice your spelling. Decision isn't an advanced word.

intparent

The best match is whatever college YOU most want to go to... we can't tell you that. And your opinion may change prior to actual admission time two years from now. Be sure you go visit both next year. Make your final decision between which one to apply to at the end of summer before your senior year. That is not "last minute". Also, familiarize yourself with the difference between the early choices at both schools. Currently Harvard has Single Choice Early Action, while Brown had Early Decision (which is binding). Schools do occasionally make changes to these options, so keep any eye on their web sites for the details.

My strongest advice, though, is to also spend some serious time figuring out where else you will apply, including a few schools you are sure you can get into, you are sure you can pay for (given your career plans you need to avoid a lot of loans), and that you are sure you will be happy to attend. It is tons harder to find match and safety schools than it is to find reach schools, so start looking now. Don't brush this task off, as the odds for anyone to get into those tippy top schools are incredibly slim no matter how good your statistics and ECs are. You will have a much happier spring of senior year if you have a range of choices that you are genuinely comfortable with.

BeanTownGirl

Wow, I was just feeling bummed out by the large number of seniors posting in here who still do not have a list yet, and now you show up!
Please start at the beginning. Educate yourself on your potential career paths and the college selection process. There are lots of online resources such as:
Education, Training, and Library Occupations : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.aft.org/pdfs/tools4teache...eacher0608.pdf

For learning about colleges you should invest in a good guide book such as the Princeton Review or Fiske Guide to Colleges. Those two have good descriptive info on schools in addition to the usual statistics. You can also get other books from your public library to see which one you like the best.

The College Board's website has good info on careers AND how to find colleges and apply:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-careers

There is a forum in here for Education majors that has lots of valuable info for you to peruse:
Education Majors - College Confidential

mirandastern

Thank you for all the advice! Majority of my schools are much more reasonable as far as acceptance and tutition costs. These are just my dream schools that I want to apply to so I'll never wonder 'what if'. I do not count on being accepted, as no one is ever truly guaranteed acceptance here.

And as for the spelling, obviously I know how to spell decision. It's a typo, it happens.

Ready4me

If both schools accept Early ACTION applications, I think you can apply to both under that option; provided the EA is nonbinding (which is usually the case). Typically, only Early DECISION applications are binding, restrictive and limit you to choosing one school to make application under the ED option. However, with ED you're allowed to submit EA or regular apps to other schools as well. If an ED offer is made, you must withdraw all other apps because through ED you committed to enroll in that particular school.

vonlost

^ Clarification: If an ED offer is made that includes financial aid, after ACCEPTING the offer you must withdraw all other applications.

entomom

You don't say anything about your financial situation, how much can your family afford, do you need to compare FA packages? If finances are a concern, there's a big difference between Brown's ED and Harvard's SCEA.