<p>No, it is to your advantage to apply priority. All of the U of I counselors even recommend you do. If you get rejected early, you were going to get rejected anyway. But if you are borderline, they’ll defer you and make a later decision. This is where the main advantage kicks in: if the later decision comes down to your priority application vs some other applicant’s regular application, you are going to win, since obviously you care more about getting in than the other person.</p>