pachydermia

Hey guys, I've been looking at colleges, (I'm a rising senior), and Dickinson is currently my first choice.
In fact, if I didn't have to compare aid packages, I would be applying ED. However, I do have financial difficulty, so I'm really interested in Early Action. (Non-Binding sounds a lot less scary.)
So- can anyone tell me about the process?
I know that the EA pool at Dickinson is the most competitive pool of applications, so I don't know whether I'll be accepted. If someone is deferred from EA to RD, does it affect their chances?
Would they remember that you didn't get in EA, and hold that against you in RD, or would it not matter at all?

Also- I've been hearing a lot lately about Dickinson's preppiness. I've always percieved Dickinson to be sort of quirky and open-minded, but a lot of reports are saying just the opposite. Does anyone know?

Thanks a lot, it really helps to have a forum for questions,
Weatherly

Krieger

Hey, I am applying too and have the same problem. I would apply ED but I'm also applying for an ROTC scholarship. I want to apply EA, but I am worried it is too cometitive too. I spoke with someone at Dickinson admissions and they suggested that I either do ED or regular. By my stats, I would probably get accepted ED as they accept individuals on the ED applicant pool if they are just a "fit" for the college. If someone is deffered from EA to RD, I don't think that it will affect their chances. However, deferment from EA to RD may be a tell-tale sign that they may be denied in RD.

I don't know your academic stats, so I wouldn't know if you would be considered a fit for their college. I applied for my ROTC scholarship early and will be notified by october if I got it. That gives me 1 month to still apply ED. I heard that Dickinson's financial aid packages are very generous. They make an attempt to create their packages so "it is possible for that student to attend Dickinson." Anyways, that's what the deputy admissions officer told me. Perhaps we can compare academic stats ECs, et cetera to see how we would fare in each application pool.

Again, I think ED increases chances and you can always appeal to the financial aid office about your package if it doesn't please you. If you get accepted by ED, your a priority and they want to make it possible for you to attend. Additionally, ED is not a completely binding contract. The ass. admissions officer told me that a student can get out of the contract "under certain conditions." Never explained exactly what those "certain conditions" were, however... =(

pachydermia

thanks for the reply!
My stats:

I've only taken the sAT once, and I'm taking it again in September, but:
CR: 720
M: 620
W:610

GPA: 3.5 ish UW, 3.8 ish W

ECs: erm... quick summary:
-dance company/classes (4days a week) (15 years)
-editor/ staff member of school's literary magazine (4 years)
-founder/host of podcast (2 years)
-reporter for school newspaper (1 year)
-winner of NaNoWriMo, and participate in various creative writing projects(2 years)
-blogger (should I put this? Since it's an article-type blog instead of just a personal blog? I'm not sure?) (~4 years)
-2 jobs
-founder and pres. of creatice writing club


I have the same fear about EA- if I don't get accepted, then it probably means denied the next time. And ED- I know the pkg can be "bargained"-but I just can't take a chance that I'll get a scholarship somewhere else, and not be able to take it (without resulting in hurting my rep. with Dickinson, where I might transfer)
I'm not sure that made sense, but I hope it was...
somewhat intelligible.

-
-

pachydermia

p.s.- i think the "certain conditions" may be something like you resubmit your family's EFC or something, and prove that there's no way you can go there.
not sure though.