Do you consider all the schools on the list highly selective or are you referring to like IVY / HYPSM / T10 when you say 2 schools
A reason for concern with some of the remaining schools on his list is that he did not apply ED so admissions officers at those schools which offer ED know that their school was not his first choice. Often this results in a rejection based on yield protection rather than on lack of qualifications.
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Couldnât there be other reasons for not EDing to any of those schools? How could it be assumed that it was because the school isnât his top choice? Whether it be financials, or time, or anything else
Sure, anything is possible, but several are âmeets full needâ schools, therefore applying ED to those schools presents no financial barrier.
Examples -last CDS Dartmouth had 600 ED of 1209 enrollees.
BU 1791 of 3145 so well over half are ED. Last year someone got dinged there but into MIT. Other schools are similar.
Honestly, no one can really chance you.
Your son has done a lot and should be proud.
Whether Hofstra or Harvard, they are going to make their med school app, not the school.
Someone so accomplished will do well both inside the class, hopefully on the MCAT and certainly hustling for medical opprtunities like shadowing.
No one here is an AO and these schools are all lottery tickets.
Some buy the tix but have no chance.
Thatâs not your son.
Heâs legit for all.
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Of course - some want to compare offers.
But your needs arenât the schoolâs needs.
They need butts in seat and revenue. Hence they pick ED. I surmise they get many more wealthy applying ED than non wealthy based on their knowledge ahd resources. Itâs why some on your list are for lack of a better word - rich schools. Tufts meets need and yet nearly 2/3 are full pay. Thatâs not by accident.
The wealthy apply to many. And ED they know.
Youâre only going to one so anyone who admits you outside a few with crazy high yields likely expects a turndown.
So better to turn you down first.
Colleges are businesses. Their brand matters more to them then your sonâs needs.
But itâs never personal. And if someone says no, then itâs their loss.
He has zero to feel bad about. It just means someone else gets his greatness on campus.
It will play out for you - just fine.
You know why ? Because heâs a winner.
Thatâs why. Not whether itâs SB, Nova, Michigan, or Columbia.
All produce studs and all produce non successes.
Good luck.
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Thank you for this insight!
Thank you. I really appreciate this and all the help
As others have said, these are all reaches for everyone, meaning that theyâre very unpredictable for all the reasons stated in this thread. Nonetheless, if I were picking where he has his best chances, Iâd say Georgetown and Notre Dame.
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As you said, specifically the T20s.
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Your kid is competitive for all of those schools listed. Given the low acceptance rates your kidâs ultimate outcomes will largely be a product of the strength and continuity of his application juxtaposed against the institutional needs of the various schools. I suspect he will receive some additional acceptances assuming he put the work into his applications that his record suggests is his ethic. My only concern is the sheer volume of applications. I hope he was attentive to the various schools unique qualities in responding to prompts.
Schools and AOs at this level in our experience donât contemplate why kids in their RD round didnât apply ED. They fully recognize and appreciate the idiosyncratic nature of admissions and review each candidates credentials individually and seek out the best fit.
I rarely post personal experiences but your kidâs list looks very similar to my kids and we were also full pay. Mine was deferred at Wharton ED. RD he got into Harvard, Brown, Georgetown, Duke, Notre Dame and Penn (at that point he had moved on). He ultimately attended Brown. I share this to give you a sense of confidence that your sonâs ED rejection is not the end of the world. Itâs Brownâs loss.
I would not be concerned with an AO wondering why your son is applying RD when he will be compared to a universe of kids who are also applying RD.
Good luck and I hope you can navigate this time in a manner that allows you to enjoy all of yours sonâs impressive achievements.
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The irony of an atheist being admitted to two Catholic institutions 
. Before anyone asks he has no problem being in that type of religious environment
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Congrats on your sâs wonderful accomplishments and interest in Neuroscience! And wave hello to NYS for me too!! Congrats and keep us posted!!
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No irony at all, I say as an atheist alumna of both Fordham (BA) and Georgetown (MA) 
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Donât think that applies to H and Y. Son applied EA Harvard and RD Yale. Was accepted EA Harvard and Accepted with a STEM Likely Letter at Yale. If they want a student, they want the student. I donât think they worry too much about yield at the very top of the selectivity pyramid.
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From what I have also heard, RD applicants arenât looked at with the thought of why they didnât apply ED but who knows
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And he got his wish, even if he is not accepted to any other school (and nobody here really knows). Congrats!!!
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The school that values ED as compared to the others on your list is the University of Chicago. Their yield compared to peers is low so they game the yield numbers by admitting more ED applicants.
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Agree because Harvard & Yale do not offer ED admission option, just SCEA. Additionally, several schoolsâwhile as Harvard & Yaleâare not worried about admissions yield.
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Great candidate - congratulations on the acceptances (especially UMich and Vandy). He is bound to get more good news, mixed with some bad. He will have great choices in the end.