Early Action or Early Decision?

Question

i am thinking of applying early action to BOSTON COLLEGE.....would you reccommend it.......pls give reasons............btw my SAT score is 1800 and i am taking the SAT 2 in October.....doing the IB Diploma in high school with a 34 predicted score as of now....

Answer 1

I would go early action instead of early decision. A lot can happen between now and April (when you finally decide), and you may not want to go there then. Even if you do, will you be able to pay for it? You tend to get a better financial aid package with early action or regular decision.

You aren't the most desirable candidate by their admission standards (75% of their students' have above a 1900 on their SAT), so I would retake the SAT or try the ACT (if you are a good student you will do better on it than you did on the SAT). See this page for what they say they want in a candidate: http://www.bc.edu/admission/undergrad/process/selecting/

Your IB score is good, but 25% of test takers will do better than you ( http://www.ibo.org/coordinators/documents/StatisticalBulletinNovember2005.pdf ) That shouldn't burst your bubble because it doesn't necessarily mean that you aren't a solid student (only top students take the test), but you aren't the crème de la crème. And colleges like BC want the best.

If you really want to go there (and why wouldn't you? It is a wonderful school), you need to consider a couple of things:
- are you in the top 5% of your class in a public school or 10% in a private school?
- did you take the toughest classes possible?
- do your teachers and coaches/advisors love you and are they willing to write glowing recommendations?
- are you an excellent writer who can kick butt on a personal statement?
( see http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/admissionsfactors.asp?listing=1023898
If so, then you might be able to get in. BC is right up there with Georgetown and Harvard, so don't be upset if you get rejected or waitlisted. I don't want to crush your dream, but you need to really wow them to get in.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Only do it if you are absolutely 100% positive that you want to go there. If there's any chance that you might decide to go somewhere else or stay closer to home or anything like that. If you do decide to go somewhere else after being accepted you'll have to pay them fees.