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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

How do I decide if I should apply to a college with a binding Early Decision option?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm considering applying to a college with a binding Early Decision option. How can I decide if it's the right choice for me? What factors should I consider when making this decision? Thanks for any advice you can provide!

a year ago

Hey there! It's great that you're thinking about your college application options early on. Deciding whether to apply Early Decision (ED) can be a bit tricky, but here are some factors to consider that might help you with your decision-making process:

1. Passion for the college: Make sure that the college is your top choice and you're truly passionate about attending it. ED is a commitment, and you want to be sure you'll be happy there.

2. Financial aid: Be aware that applying ED may limit your financial aid options. If you get accepted, you're committing to attend that college and may not have the chance to compare financial aid offers from other schools. Make sure you're comfortable with the college's estimated cost of attendance and financial aid policies.

3. Academic and social fit: Assess whether the college is the right fit academically, socially, and geographically. Consider factors such as class sizes, available majors, extracurricular activities, campus culture, and location.

4. Application readiness: Make sure you have a strong application ready by the ED deadline, as it's usually earlier than regular decision deadlines. This includes having solid grades, test scores, and recommendation letters.

Best of luck with your decision and college application journey!

a year ago

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.