<p>Thanks, flopsy, I was hoping you would post. </p>
<p>Tyrant, I think that it was probably wise not applying ED - just makes for a long spring. FWIW, you come across as a thoughtful and well-spoken young person (at least to this adult) despite your screen name. That, and your excellent class rank at a respected school will count for a lot. After reading all the Harvard early admissions posts on cc, and corresponding with some of the kids they deferred, it is a mystery to me as to what they want. Your essays may well be key - and your very respectable Chinese SAT II.</p>