Strategic vs. Reach use of your ED Forum

[Deuce]

I'm in a dilemma regarding where I should use my ED, if I do at all. My numbers are 3.88/168. Would it be worth a shot to use your ED to a big reach school (Columbia or NYU), or to use it at a more realistic school at the beginning of a cycle to increase your odds (MVP)?

Thoughts, advice?

[Kswizzie]

bump.set.spike

[cccZillo]

This is a good question. I'm gonna bump it again and add a related question. Obviously the ED helps your chances at a school, but does it have a similar impact when it comes to scholarship money?

Using my ED to push my chances from 10% to 25% at Northwestern seems nice (pulled those numbers out of thin air of course), but if it could get me thousands of more dollars at a school like Kent that would be tempting.

[cardnal124]

This is a good question. I'm gonna bump it again and add a related question. Obviously the ED helps your chances at a school, but does it have a similar impact when it comes to scholarship money?

Using my ED to push my chances from 10% to 25% at Northwestern seems nice (pulled those numbers out of thin air of course), but if it could get me thousands of more dollars at a school like Kent that would be tempting.

No. You lose any hopes of scholarships. If you are committed to them, why would they give you money?

[09042014]

In general, I'd say to only ED when it bumps you up a significant notch in school prestige, for a lack of a better term.

For your numbers, you are looking at a small shot at the lower T13, a decent shot at GULC, and probably 72K at Vandy. Big money at top 40 schools.

Columbia is a long shot, but why not, if you'd rather go to Columbia rather than big money at top 40 schools.

[dabbadon8]

I have been pondering the same question. I think it comes down to a couple factors for me. If you are dead set on top 14 but could be shut out if you ED your reach then use it conservatively (as long as you are willing to play sticker.) I am in a similar situation to the OP (3.48, 173) I am considering if it is worth it to ED to NYU. Basically my feeling is that if you think you will get in somewhere RD that you would be happy to attend, then try the reach (again if you don't mind paying sticker). I don't think I will ED anywhere but a reach though because I may regret an ED to UVA if emory/vandy/cornell/michigan (or w/e) offered me money. I am hoping that I get in RD to someplace T-14 though, if I don't I may kick my self but either way you take a risk.

[Deuce]

I have been pondering the same question. I think it comes down to a couple factors for me. If you are dead set on top 14 but could be shut out if you ED your reach then use it conservatively (as long as you are willing to play sticker.) I am in a similar situation to the OP (3.48, 173) I am considering if it is worth it to ED to NYU. Basically my feeling is that if you think you will get in somewhere RD that you would be happy to attend, then try the reach (again if you don't mind paying sticker). I don't think I will ED anywhere but a reach though because I may regret an ED to UVA if emory/vandy/cornell/michigan (or w/e) offered me money. I am hoping that I get in RD to someplace T-14 though, if I don't I may kick my self but either way you take a risk.

This is what I'm leaning towards. I'm thinking of using my ed to reach for one of CCN, because I know without a doubt if admitted I'd absolutely love to go there even if it means paying sticker. This could shut me out of a school that I could've otherwise gotten into with an ED, but I think I would also regret getting into a 10-14 ed at sticker when I could get $$$$ from 15-25... tough decision.

[gwuorbust]

if you ED to GWU you will almost assurdly be accepted and that gets you a full ride plus housing and maybe COL stipend (not sure about the COL stipend but def the other two). Even if you are last in your class you get to keep your schly. if you want DC and don't want debt it is a good deal.

[BizOwner]

[quote="gwuorbust"]if you ED to GWU you will almost assurdly be accepted and that gets you a full ride plus housing and maybe COL stipend


Not quite "assurdly". That scholarship is much more selective than one may think. A 168 probably won't get it.

[Eric475]

if you ED to GWU you will almost assurdly be accepted and that gets you a full ride plus housing and maybe COL stipend (not sure about the COL stipend but def the other two). Even if you are last in your class you get to keep your schly. if you want DC and don't want debt it is a good deal.

don't listen to advice that says to ED to GW from someone named "gwu or bust" with a glenn beck avatar

[gwuorbust]

if you ED to GWU you will almost assurdly be accepted and that gets you a full ride plus housing and maybe COL stipend


Not quite "assurdly". That scholarship is much more selective than one may think. A 168 probably won't get it.

assuredly is too strong of a word. but good chance is not too far of a reach, I think - especially with a 3.88.

[mi-chan17]

if you ED to GWU you will almost assurdly be accepted and that gets you a full ride plus housing and maybe COL stipend


Not quite "assurdly". That scholarship is much more selective than one may think. A 168 probably won't get it.

assuredly is too strong of a word. but good chance is not too far of a reach, I think - especially with a 3.88.

I think the OP has a decent shot at the lower T-13 and GULC. As that's what he/she appears to leaning towards, I think it might be worthwhile to ED CCN. Hopefully, UVA will keep their ED deadline way back and if CCN doesn't work out, OP can ED UVA.

If OP is seriously anti-debt, then the GW ED might be something to consider. The OP is above the 75th for GPA and LSAT. However, one point, the ED scholarship does not include housing (they guarantee you a room, but you still have to pay for it) and does not, to my knowledge, cover COL.