<p>It is true that the EA is also for merit scholarship application for many schools. For that reason, one should definitely apply EA if they are interested in and qualified for the merit scholarship. But for those really final backup plan safety, I still think one may delay the application and focus on the better schools first. Of course, if that $100 or so does not really matter to you and it does not require supplement for that safety, there is no reason to wait.</p>
<p>I was going to apply to my harder safeties for EA (just as a little stress relief so that something is in the hand).
and if my SAT II’s are high enough then I will try a couple reaches. but for right now I’m trying to get my SAT’s in the best possible shape so that I can be competitve at the highest level… I have solid grades, great SAT I’s but I need just a little better for Physics in SAT II.
I feel so close (Math I & Math II are great) but I need to get Physics up there and I think at the elite level, I’m close but just not there yet.</p>
<p>I actually think the sweet spot for EA applications are matches … the student is more likely to be excited by an acceptance than by an acceptance to a safety … and this is more likely to cut off more applications from having to be submitted.</p>
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<p>If the “really final backup plan safety” involves a guaranteed-for-stats merit scholarship with an early application deadline (e.g. Alabama) or first-come-first-served scholarship awards (e.g. Howard), it makes sense to apply to that school early.</p>