<p>Hi! I'm a junior and I'm strongly considering applying SCEA to Yale, but looking at the results threads, my resume matches the ones of those deferred. I know that although the early acceptance rate is higher, it has a lot more competitive applicants. But I'm wondering if my application would have any advantage during RD if it was deferred from SCEA. In other words, do they weigh the fact that Yale is my #1 or does that not get taken into consideration? Because I would rather apply early to a school where I would get a boost from applying early because chances are that I will get deferred. </p>
<p>As a recently deferred candidate, I can say that in the letter of deferral it states that we have the same chance as RD candidates. I would tend to think that the increased familiarity could work to your advantage, but that’s purely speculation. </p>
<p>I don’t think you get any admissions advantage from applying SCEA, unless (maybe) if you are a hooked candidate, such as a legacy. The real advantage is getting your admissions process over early–which only happens if you are accepted, of course.</p>
<p>I don’t think legacy helps as much during the RD round. If you really wanted to attend as a legacy, you would have applied SCEA. The fact that you waited till the RD round kind of gives them an indication that it is not your first choice, even as a legacy kid.</p>
<p>At the Yale presentation we attended this summer, one of the admissions reps said that there <em>might</em> be a slight advantage in the RD round to SCEA applicants who were deferred. This is apparently because the committee is already familiar with the application and knows Yale was the student’s first choice. </p>