How Beneficial is Early Decision?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have always been told that I have 3 1/2 years paid-in full for tuition. Until this morning.</p>

<p>I was planning to apply Early Decision to American University. Absolutely no doubt about it, until I learned that my parents had not read their program correctly (GET program), and it can pay for 3 1/2 years to University of Washington, which is about 12k. AU is 38k.</p>

<p>I am in the lower end of the range they accept students. Given that they have a low acceptance rate, I had no problem deciding I want to use early decision on them.</p>

<p>I am a Washington resident, parents make about 140k a year, half-Filipino and dual citizenship with Canada because I am a part of their Matsqui tribe. An only child. Parents did not attend college (well, dad didn’t receive a degree). I am a full-IB diploma candidate and have an unweighted GPA of 3.43. Many extra-curriculars, I ride horses, state champ at First Aid/CPR, etc.</p>

<p>I filled out my FAFSA and CCS form already.</p>

<p>A couple questions I have about early decision are:
- If I apply early decision (AU basically doubles your chance of getting in), and the financial package is enough based on my need, but would leave me/my parents in thousands of debt, would I still be binded the contract and forced to attend?
- Would it better a better idea to play it safe, and attend Seattle University and be 100% on financial aid, or would it be worth the risk to go to my dream school?</p>

<p>I want to double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science. DC is the place to do that in. There are SO many resources, ways to get directly involved in ways that wouldn’t be as easily accessed in Seattle. Not to mention the internships… </p>

<p>Overall, I have just felt heartbroken all day lol. I know it is only a school and that I haven’t even been considered to be accepted yet, but it is really what I want. Not only in a school, but for traveling, and… I could go on for so long.</p>

<p>I can’t tell you guys enough how much I appreciate your time to read this, or even comment. I am completely lost and confused, the worst part being my deadline is a month and a half away.</p>

<p>Thank you very much.</p>

2

<p>Five bucks say you’d love seattle and find many opportunities there.</p>

3

<p>I live about 15 minutes away from Seattle. Seattle is a wonderful city, and I would miss it, I just think that what I want is to be on the east coast. Just to venture outside of the city I’ve always lived in, and experience and grow in ways that I can’t by sticking with what I am comfortable with.</p>

<p>But, maybe the opportunities are shrouded in the bias and mindset I have set for Seattle throughout my life. In the end though, Seattle U isn’t the school I love. Then again, it may be different when I actually see people on campus. I don’t know…</p>

4

<p>What’s your SAT score? It seems that you’ll likely be accepted RD to American as well. If you performed well on the SAT, you may be eligible for merit from them. Otherwise, you can seek other sources (I’m sure being NA and First Generation opens up a lot of private scholarship opportunities). </p>

<p>If you can’t find the money to fund it, I think you should go to UW and not look back. University of Washington is a solid, respected flagship that I’d argue is on par (if not better than) AU. If USNWR is any indicator, UW is #46 and AU is #77. My advice is to get involved in local politics, perhaps spend a summer in DC interning, and by the time your out of college you’ll probably be better off than if you went to American. Politics in DC are cutthroat, you’ll be facing Georgetown students for many of these internships. Take advantage of the fact that you have much less competition for spots in Seattle, which is still a major US city.</p>

5

<p>There is no circumstance under which you would be forced to attend any school. With ED you accept or decline the aid offered by the school; it is your (family’s) decision.</p>

<p>“If USNWR is any indicator…” but it is not.</p>

6

<p>Sounds like UDub is a good backup plan if the American FA doesn’t work out.</p>