<p>I don't know where to post this, hahaha.</p>
<p>This is my pet theory... plan that I've been turning over in my mind.</p>
<p>I am the salutatorian of my school. The valedictorian is brilliant academically, far more so than I am; I will admit that... as much as it pains me to acknowledge his cheating butt. I don't think we have terrible chances at ivies. (But then again, it is the ivies.) Good scores, strong ECs, although we are rather typical -- he is that "brown" science/math guy, planning to go into the medical field, working as a researching assistant at a university for the summer, etc., while my life revolves around art. (I plan to major in art.) I want to take the liberty to say that I stand out more in terms of ECs.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure he will be applying to mostly ivies, and so am I. His dream school is Stanford. My dream school is Yale.</p>
<p>Our school is not fancy, just your average suburban school. High middle class, I would say. A few go to ivies each year, but I doubt any of them would pick any more than a single student from the same school in this case.</p>
<p>Would it be ridiculous if I proposed him a deal asking him to abstain from applying to Yale in exchange of me not applying to Stanford? I know, some of you are thinking, oh my god is this girl serious, but I actually... am seriously considering this.</p>
<p>Augh. I just wanna wake up one day and find out that I'm in college. The prospects are already getting kinda stressing and I haven't even started looking at my apps...</p>
<p>It sounds ridiculous to me, since your plan seems to indicate that you are not confident enough in your own credentials to feel that you can snag a spot into your dream school. But I’m not your friend, so I’d just go for it…</p>
<p>Relax and stop trying to tie your mind into knots. The chips will fall however they fall. It is completely out of your control.</p>
<p>At Wharton we call this an agreement with a “deviation incentive.” The applications are all online. Even if he agreed to the deal, he would probably still apply to Yale. And you’d probably still apply to Stanford. Why not?</p>
<p>However, the issue will likely resolve itself: both schools have SCEA rounds, so you could each apply to your “dream school” in the early round without competing with one another.</p>
<p>Haha, you guys are right. I’ll just let things be. </p>
<p>I actually would… not apply to Stanford, if the “deal” was on. It never appealed to me. If I don’t bring up this proposition (which I don’t think I will, anymore), I probably would since they accept portfolios and everything… but, Cali. Eh. hahaha but yes. I suppose he would still apply. </p>
<p>And nope, I am not confident. 
I assume that most of the people applying to ivies are not.</p>
<p>Actually, it is part of game theory. Since both of them are doing what best suits their own needs, they are both pursuing a dominant strategy.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s crazy at all, but in this case, not necessary - both Yale and Stanford have single choice early action. The two of you can apply to both of your first choices early, find out in December, and never have to interfere with each others’ chances. A waiting list would throw a bit of a wrench in things, but I think you two sound sufficiently different so that if either school finds both of you qualified, they would still take you, but like you said, you don’t even have an interest in Stanford so it doesn’t matter!</p>
<p>My friends and I, all of us with top ranks and 2300+ SATs, are planning to do almost the same thing. Because there are slightly more of us though (12-15), we’ve split up the top schools among us for early decision, so as not to interfere with each others’ chances. It’s a matter of respect and cooperation with us, and to our best interest to go through with the plan. So I don’t think you’re crazy at all! Plus - I got Yale. So I guess you’re my competition ;)</p>