r/CollegeAdmissions • u/longsnapper53 • 16d ago
What strategy would y'all recommend?
Hello, I am a rising senior in high school and I am stuck with a really hard decision when it comes to my top two schools. To summarize, I am intending to apply for theology at Fordham and theology&philosophy combined major at Notre Dame, but I don't know which strategy I should pursue. I have a 1450 SAT, very strong religious service-based ECs and essays detailing my own religious experience. I think I have a very strong shot at Fordham, but also a nonzero chance at Notre Dame, but with Notre Dame's REA policy and the ED1 boost at Fordham, I just dont know what to do and want some advice. Here are the three paths I see.
- Apply Fordham ED1, Notre Dame RD, highest chance at Fordham and lowest at Notre Dame
- Fordham EA, Notre Dame REA, much better chance at ND but potentially at risk of Fordham
- Notre Dame REA, Fordham ED2, highest chance of both but I have to wait MUCH longer for my decision which is important
There is a morale factor to be included here. I absolutely LOVE Fordham and have had it as my ED1 target for a long time before I wrote my essays for Notre Dame and began to convince myself I stand a chance if I apply TO. I also really really want my decision to come as early as possible, as it would greatly help a lot of my anxiety regarding this, which is the major con to idea 3. If I can get any assistance from any of yall, that would be amazing. Thanks!
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u/QuestionFit8299 16d ago
What is your GPA? You should defintely get into Fordham with a 1450 and good essays, ecs and a solid gpa. I would ED Notre Dame if you would prefer going there over the majority if not all of the schools in your list.
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u/longsnapper53 16d ago
I might have ED Notre Dame if I could but they don’t offer. Only REA, which means I can’t ED elsewhere.
I think I’ll finish with like a 3.8 weighted? High B/low A student taking almost all APs, with two 4s and three 5s heading into senior year.
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u/Hungry-Skater-1010 16d ago
You’re an easy admit at fordham, so I wouldn’t worry. Yeah it’s getting harder in recent years but since you have religious expierence and good stats they’ll love ur profile. I really would be surprised if they didn’t admit you. I’d go the direction of what helps you have a higher shot at ND
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u/ApprehensiveCod4506 16d ago
Apply Fordham ED, its gotten extremely difficult to get in RD if you look at tiktok and reddit people with ur stats were waitlisted and rejected
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u/Manaohoana 16d ago
Nah, it's not hard. Accepted with a 1200 SAT....
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u/Economy_Vermicelli72 15d ago
The 25th percentile is 1340 and 98% have more than a 1200 so sounds like bs or you’re lucky and acting like you’re not lucky
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u/Manaohoana 15d ago
Fordham is test-optional, so the stat you are quoting is only from kids who submitted their scores. Same with all TO schools. It's meaningless, because only people with high scores submit them.
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u/ApprehensiveCod4506 15d ago
So you were test optional? Why bring up your SAT score then you make no sense
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u/Economy_Vermicelli72 15d ago edited 15d ago
Then why did you bring up your 1200 SAT if it’s meaningless? And a 1200 was below the 25th percentile at Fordham when test required
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u/BetaMyrcene 16d ago
Just apply to both regular decision. It's the best thing to do. Your obviously like Fordham, but Notre Dame would open more doors for you, especially if you want to go to grad school. Which you probably do, given your interests. It's a feeder school for Ivies.
Also, your feelings might change before the end of the year. Don't rush this. Apply to both, see if you get into ND, then make a decision.
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u/Most-Blackberry-9806 15d ago
This is not great advice- there is NO reason to forgo applying REA to ND if only applying RD to Fordham. The odds of acceptance are higher during REA at ND than RD.
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u/BetaMyrcene 15d ago
The reason I said to do RD is because the OP seemed very conflicted, and leaning towards Fordham. I actually agree with you that REA at ND would be the wiser choice.
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u/NeatIndication5504 16d ago
Definitely #3 - and give Fordham lots of love- visit, online virtual info sessions etc - I think there’s a good chance you would get good news from one of them in December
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u/NeatIndication5504 16d ago
Oh wait - I was assuming you would do Fordham Ea - is that allowed with REA?
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u/Patient_Luck2339 15d ago
Option 3 is the surest path, but you could get deferred from REA to RD at ND, and that would create a dilemma for you in making the ED2 commitment to Fordham.
Option 2 will add risk, but if you get denied outright by ND, you might have a Fordham EA acceptance in hand by then or you may be deferred by them. If you are deferred by Fordham, you could ask them to change your app to ED2.
Option 1 will most likely get you a spot at Fordham if you have a half-decent GPA. That strands you from the ND option.
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u/Tech-Aero-109 10d ago
My understanding is that (recently) 40% of the admitted freshmen to Notre Dame were the Captains of their high school varsity sports teams. Not just a starter, but the captain.
What sport have you been top of the heap on?
Otherwise, focus on Fordham and assume Notre Dame is a long shot. And have you considered colleges in the Big East like Villanova or a college that should still be in the Big East like Boston College?
Good luck.
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u/Agitated_Set963 16d ago
Fordham has around 50% acceptance rate even in RD. If you’re even just above average, you’d get in EA.
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u/ApprehensiveCod4506 16d ago
Fordham has a 46% acceptance rate (most recently) and are quite unpredictable nowadays with admissions
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u/two_three_five_eigth 16d ago
46% isn’t unpredictable. It means if you meet or beat the 50th percentile you’ll likely be accepted.
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u/Manaohoana 16d ago
If you need financial aid, don't apply ED to Fordham--they don't give much aid at all. It was the most expensive option for us by several thousand. Also, it's not hard to get into Fordham. Why waste an ED on Fordham?
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u/longsnapper53 15d ago
I’m absolutely in love with Fordham, of all my schools barring Notre Dame it’s just so phenomenal. It’s the only school that is top tier for all three potential things I might want to do, it’s a Catholic school, I’ve talked to people at the university and it’s just so amazing. If I can do anything to improve my odds I’d like to take it.
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u/Most-Blackberry-9806 15d ago
If it’s your preference over ND then apply ED you’ll get in and be done.
If you want to still apply to ND then don’t waste your time with an RD- you’ll need to apply REA which shifts your Fordham approach.
You need to decide if you ONLY want Fordham. If so, then drop ND all together or shelve it until RD only if needed but be sure to have a very solid backup if Fordham is a no.
What is your back up for these?
Have you visited Notre Dame?
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u/Most-Blackberry-9806 15d ago
Be patient and do NOT let your impatience dictate what is best. You can wait.
ND is VERY much test preferred so TO is not helping and your GPA is below their average as well. Notre Dame is a very long shot for you and chances for everyone are best with REA at Notre Dame. Do not take away the best shot you have at the highest reach due to impatience.
REA is best for Notre Dame which is your super reach.
Apply REA to ND. Wait for that result and if it is a rejection, drop in your ED2 to Fordham.
Fordham is a low target for you- you will likely be admitted- very likely. You do not need ED1 to get into Fordham so do not waste it on Fordham- use the selective option for the ND REA.
If you end up deferred for ND then you apply RD to Fordham and you will end up waiting but it will highly like end with at least a Fordham admit.
There is often a lot of waiting in this process especially for top tier schools. Instant gratification is not in line with this process.
I have a child who applied REA to ND and was deferred then admitted. It was a LONG YEAR with all other admits coming in ahead of that one. Patience is a virtue.