<p>I've had people tell me to apply EA and others tell me not to.
I'm trying to decide whether or not I will do it.
What are the pros and cons of applying EA or why or why shouldn't I do it??</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Pros:
-Higher acceptance rates (counter argument is that the applicant pool is more qualified)
-Early action is non-binding</p>
<p>Cons:
-Can only apply to one early decision/action school</p>
<p>Are there really any cons to early action? Maybe people are getting early action confused with early decision.</p>
<p>Pros of early action:
1. It's earlier than regular decision
2. It's not binding like early decision
3. You can apply to more than one school EA (unless it is a SCEA school)</p>
<p>Cons:
1. As far as I know, it doesn't really help your application like ED does, but I don't have any numbers to back this up</p>
<p>I don't think there are any cons to EA, unless it's that at some schools you can only apply to one EA (Yale and Stanford come to mind). Other than that, in my mind EA is the best of all worlds. You get to know the decision in December (or whenever the school says), you find out the Financial Aid, if that's an issue, and you get to apply to other schools both EA and regular, if that's the system. AND you don't have to decide anything until May 1, just like for Regular Decision. I know lots of students who applied to many schools EA and many schools RD. ED, too, but if you are accepted to a school ED, you must withdraw your other applications.</p>
<p>I agree with all the pros stated above but..
Con: in competition with the most qualified applicants (similar to Aeneas's con, but rephrased) </p>
<p>so if you're not TOTALLY ready, don't do it. You may get deferred and then reviewed too late in the process for you to have the more decent chance you would have had had you applied regular.</p>
<p>I'm very pro EA, but if its like Georgetown's EA (Restricted Early Action) then you can't apply to a school ED, which can be a con.</p>
<p>An extra semester's worth of grades can help sometimes (when you apply regular).</p>
<p>^Yep, that's the only real con.
Another con, which only applies to SCEA is that well, you can only do early action for that University.</p>
<p>A problem with EA is when there are restrictions to it like SCEA or when an ED school does not permit you to do EA. These are the disadvantages that others have mentioned. You can still apply to rolling admissions schools in conjunction with those schools, however.</p>
<p>The other possible consideration is if your early grades are low, and you need to pull them up with your midyear senior grades, and perhaps more testing. If you feel you can do significantly better, you may want to hold off. On the other hand, if you are deferred, and most EA schools tend to defer rather than reject, it gives you a second chance to plead your case with those higher marks. </p>
<p>In my opinion, EA, ED, rolling schools have the advantage of letting you know before Christmas (for the most part) if you are in or not, and you can revise your college list accordingly. If you are accepted to a school you like, you can say "game over" and it's done. If you have other schools that you want to take a shot at, and you did not go binding ED, you can pare your list to just those schools you prefer to the ones that accepted you. Deferrals/denials give you a reality check to reevaluate your list before it's too late. I feel it is great to have at least a school in the pocket going into the holiday season, so I would recommend at least one EA, rolling school that is likely to take you.</p>
<p>A problem with EA is when there are restrictions to it like SCEA or when an ED school does not permit you to do EA. These are the disadvantages that others have mentioned. You can still apply to rolling admissions schools in conjunction with those schools, however.</p>
<p>The other possible consideration is if your early grades are low, and you need to pull them up with your midyear senior grades, and perhaps more testing. If you feel you can do significantly better, you may want to hold off. On the other hand, if you are deferred, and most EA schools tend to defer rather than reject, it gives you a second chance to plead your case with those higher marks. </p>
<p>In my opinion, EA, ED, rolling schools have the advantage of letting you know before Christmas (for the most part) if you are in or not, and you can revise your college list accordingly. If you are accepted to a school you like, you can say "game over" and it's done. If you have other schools that you want to take a shot at, and you did not go binding ED, you can pare your list to just those schools you prefer to the ones that accepted you. Deferrals/denials give you a reality check to reevaluate your list before it's too late. I feel it is great to have at least a school in the pocket going into the holiday season, so I would recommend at least one EA, rolling school that is likely to take you.</p>
<p>I have a quick question. I've read many times that you should not submit your application unless it is completely ready. Even Stanford's website says to not apply unless your are submitting the best picture of yourself possible. Well, I'll only be able to send in one set of SAT I scores as I need to take the SAT II in October. My scores are M-750, CR-730, W-710. I know I can do significantly better on the writing, and my CR score should naturally improve 10-20 points by another semester of school. Should I hold off applying SCEA to Stanford since I only will have this set of scores, and I know I can do better with a little prep?</p>
<p>To be quite honest, I will probably apply either way. I just hope it is not too brash of a decision. I do realize I can take the ACT in September and prep for that.</p>
<p>Also, in case anyone is about to say I should have thought ahead. I tried to take the SAT in the first half of my junior year, but my school strictly prohibits the practice and makes it a graduation requirement to take it on their date. The date they scheduled the spring SAT was a track meet day for me, so I ended up stuck with the June SAT.</p>
<p>edit: I am also hoping that my review for the SAT Math Level II may slightly help my math score.</p>
<p>You judge your scores as mediocre but they definitely aren't. Ten to twenty points won't make a difference, and an increase in Writing probably won't matter much since they will be reading your essay and can assess your writing skills there (although that's not all it's for), especially since you have a score of 710 - not like you can improve 200 points on it or something. </p>
<p>However, if you don't feel comfortable with you SAT scores, then you may want to apply RD.</p>
<p>Does Stanford deny a lot of kids for EA, or do they tend to defer? If the chances of denial are small, I would go SCEA, and give myself a second shot if deferred. Also look and see if the kids who are deferred have only a small chance of acceptance. Stanford will likely have those stats from the last 2 years, and that can make your decision for you. If they tend to deny EA kids that they do not accept, or if your chances plummet if you are deferred EA, it may be wise to apply RD, and pick some other schools for EA that can bolster your confidence during the season as you apply. It can make a difference to have one in the bag over the Christmas season.</p>
<p>The percent denied is much higher than the percent deferred. </p>
<p>"Stanford is committed to making the vast majority of Restrictive/Single Choice Early Action admission decisions final. As a result, a relatively small number of applicants are offered [deferment] noted above. The vast majority of Restrictive/Single Choice Early Action applicants will have a final decision on their Stanford application in mid-December."</p>
<p>Stanford's is the one I'm most interested in doing</p>
<p>One reason not to apply EA would be if you need sr. year semester grades to bolster your chances for admission. Many EA notifications occur before the school gets your mid-year transcript. EA apps are typically deferred if the school wants to see your mid-year grades before making a decision.</p>
<p>Just because you get into a school EA does not mean the financial package will be there if you need it. For middle class and lower income students, getting in is not the entire issue. It is also about getting enough merit and/or financial aid to make the school a reality. Don't fall in love with any school until you see the package, even if accepted early. Additionally, some schools will include a merit award with the acceptance. Lets say a school costs 43,000 to attend, and they award you 12,000 in merit money, you need 31,000. If your EFC is under 30k, they might award some financial aid (grants, loans, and w/s, and/or you might be gapped). You probably won't know your financial package until early April if you filed all FA forms on time.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You judge your scores as mediocre but they definitely aren't. Ten to twenty points won't make a difference, and an increase in Writing probably won't matter much since they will be reading your essay and can assess your writing skills there (although that's not all it's for), especially since you have a score of 710 - not like you can improve 200 points on it or something.</p>
<p>However, if you don't feel comfortable with you SAT scores, then you may want to apply RD.
[/quote]
Oh, I know they are not mediocre scores (perhaps at CC, but in general, no). I feel really lucky to have scored that high when I know friends who work just as hard that didn't. I guess what it boils down to is whether or not the median 50% rule is true. I've always given credence to the statement that the SAT stops counting for much once you hit the school's median 50%, but a part of me wonders if all 750+ scores could improve my chances significantly.</p>
<p>I have read the quote you pulled from the Stanford website many many times...</p>