<p>I'm a high school senior in the middle of the college app process. So far, my plan was to apply to University of Michigan and Stanford early, and several other schools regularly. I am applying to U of M because I am in-state and frankly think that I have a very good shot of getting into the engineering school, so I'm not too worried about the app. However, as the deadline is approaching, I'm having second thoughts about EA to Stanford. Since it is way more selective than UM, I'd like to put in more time into polishing my essays and possibly retaking the subject tests (awaiting scores from October 5). My question is, does early action at Stanford have any real advantage over regular decision? And if not, do any highly selective schools actually have an advantage in EA versus regular?</p>
<p>There is a small advantage for REA if your credential is abov3 admission average.</p>
<p>Really? Even for colleges like Stanford? I heard that their admissions aren’t based as much on numbers and just being above average won’t make much of a difference. That’s why I wanted to put more time into the essay, since they stress it more than less selective schools.</p>
<p>Note that there is a difference between 'aren’t based much on numbers" and “based on more than numbers”. If you don’t have the numbers, your chance would be slim. But even if you have numbers, it does not mean you will get in.</p>
<p>Well, provided I do have the numbers above average, would my admission chances be any different with early action that regular decision?</p>
<p>If you think your essays could use more polish definitely skip the REA round at Stanford. That school is well known to defer few students to RD compared to HYP so it is conceivable that a borderline student could be outright rejected REA but might have made it in RD. A similar student at HYP would have been deferred. There is no admissions advantage at HYPS applying SCEA as the higher admissions numbers reflect a stronger applicant pool and recruited athletes. If you are an extraordinarily strong student who could not benefit from first semester senior year grades or any additional application polishing, then an SCEA application gives you the potential opportunity to finish the whole application process early should you get accepted.</p>