<p>@GCMomOfTWO SCEA(single choice) is just another term for Restricted and ok i understand now :)</p>
<p>No, SCEA and restricted early action are similar, but different. They are not synonymous. </p>
<p>SCEA: </p>
<p>Ex) Harvard</p>
<p>It is the equivalent of early decision BUT non-binding. You cannot apply to other schools early action or early decision, however. </p>
<p>Restricted Early Action:</p>
<p>Ex) BC, Georgetown</p>
<p>You are not declaring this school your first choice, you are just getting a response earlier (with limitations). It is the same as regular early action, except you cannot apply anywhere early decision; however, you can apply to other schools early action (as long as they are not SCEA). </p>
<p>Hope that clears it up – it’s quite confusing!</p>
<p>@cakebatter Thanks so much! i had my terms mixed up i guess. Thats these decisions i have to make even more complicated. EA to Georgetown (where my heart is) and sacrifice ED to cornell (where my mind tells me is the sensible place to go) or the other way around. Why must college apps be so stressful!</p>
<p>Tell me about it! The stress is unbearable haha. </p>
<p>I would compare Georgetown and Cornell’s financial aid reputations. You have a pretty good deal going with Cornell as a NY state resident so I wouldn’t discard that plan just yet. It’ll probably be hard for Georgetown to beat Cornell’s cost of tuition. You don’t want to waste Cornell’s ED when you know you can afford the school if accepted, whereas if you are accepted to Georgetown, what if it turns out you can’t afford it? However, Cornell AEM is definitely harder to get into.</p>
<p>Some other things to consider…I’m pretty sure Georgetown claims on their website that applying EA isn’t an advantage, it only gives you an answer sooner (although you might want to double check me on that). They also don’t reject anyone EA; they only defer or accept. It is also a religiously affiliated school so be sure you are okay with that. That would personally be the tie-breaker for me, as I am not into religiously affiliated schools, but that may be a plus for you. Good luck with your decision (you really can’t go wrong with either anyway). :)</p>
<p>@Cakebatter thanks, yeah religious affiliation doesn’t matter to me. I’m muslim and perfectly fine with other religions without being uncomfortable about the presence on campus. Honestly the real problem for me here is do i want to commit to cornell and be left wondering “what if” about my other schools, it’s the pre-commitment that is bothering me more than anything.</p>
<p>If you have any hesitance at all then definitely don’t do ED. IMO Cornell AEM is a better school than Georgetown, so I personally wouldn’t have any regret or curiosity. Buuuut if you do not feel that way, then don’t do ED. You could still get in RD and that way you can compare all FA offers and everything else. If your heart isn’t completely set on Cornell then don’t make that mistake.</p>
<p>@cakebatter yeah well the supposed “allure” of the ivy league doesn’t lure me in as much as others, i really want the entire “experience” if you know what i mean. Good academics, sports, fun, etc. etc. which is why UNC and Georgetown appeal to me more than cornell. (i’m a huge basketball fan if you couldn’t tell )</p>