Early action at ND - worth it?

claremarie
Wed, 28 May 2008 11:37:44 +0000

A student who would be admitted in the EA pool would also be admitted in the RD pool, so there is little to be gained by applying early except for a slightly earlier end to the whole wretched admissions process.

I would ask the guidance counselor to explain the basis for this advice. Specifically, how do your child’s credentials compare to other students from her high school who applied EA to Notre Dame this academic year? Not three years ago, or five years ago, but this year? Yes, it’s true that the odds for EA applicants are better than for RD applicants, but, as you noted, that is because the EA pool is stronger. That does NOT mean that the admissions odds for a particular student will be better if she applies early. Given the number of students who are deferred EA but admitted RD, the logical conclusion should be the opposite one.