<p>I'm a rising sophomore, so I know I've got plenty of time to think about it, but I was considering applying EA to Stanford senior year. I've read some threads on here about it, and I've read about it on the Stanford website, and while they stress that they wouldn't admit anyone EA that they wouldn't have admitted RD, there is a higher (12% vs. 7%?) admit rate in applicants applying SCEA than in applicants applying RD. A lot of people on here have said that it's due to a stronger applicant pool in the early round, which brings me to my question: Is there a disadvantage of any kind to applying SCEA? Is there an advantage? Stanford is definitely my first choice, but I'm well aware that the odds are slim.</p>
<p>Stanford likes rejecting in REA instead of deferring like most peer schools. The good thing about that is that an REA deferral means you actually do have a decent shot in RD.</p>
<p>honestly, i struggled with that question too, since you get different answers everywhere. ultimately, i decided to believe what the admissions officers say: apply early if it’s your first choice school and your application is entirely ready and the best it’s going to be.
best of luck!</p>
<p>“it’s due to a stronger applicant pool in the early round.”
The early round is also when recruited athletes are officially “accepted”, even though many know they are going to Stanford the previous summer or earlier in the fall. That is a one reason for the higher % of EA acceptances. Another is the early round is when a lot of Alumni kids apply as well. So if you are not a DA, if your parents did do go to Stanford, if you are not a recruited athlete , then your overall “chances” of acceptance are probably the same as in the regular round.</p>