Is anyone out there a B- Student ?

eandesmom
Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:32:55 +0000

Also, I think you had some questions about EA being a good or a bad thing in your situation. Here is my take on it, for what it is worth on both EA and Test Optional.

Test Optional. If the grades are better than the test scores indicate, then going test optional can be a good strategy. Many test optional schools require supplemental writing so the writing needs to really shine to have that play in your favor.

ED/EA/RD

For ED, it can be beneficial to apply if you are in the lower end of the applicant pool, or even the middle (or top if it’s your first choice), however it is binding so it really has to be the #1 choice to make sense. And make sense financially.

EA on the other hand may not be a good choice if you are in the lower end, many feel the EA pool is more competitive than the RD. If you are in the middle or higher end of the stats pool, it may offer some advantage (besides just knowing early) and can offer early/greater opportunities at merit in some cases.

RD is often best if one wants to show improved test scores or grades from senior year or because the chances are better in the RD pool versus the EA one.

If you look up schools common data sets you can see the % accepted from each application type, I found that helpful when determining S17’s application strategy.

We had one child apply RD (one and done), one ED (which some EA/RD at the same time) who luckily got her ED choice so was done early. S17 will be 100% EA but will not go test optional although it is offered at almost all (maybe all actually) of his schools. No clue where S19 will land, far too early to say but most likely not ED for financial reasons.