<p>Hi, I'm an international student and I don't really understand what difference it makes whether you apply through an early action scheme or not. Does it just mean you receive notification about whether you have gotten in earlier? Also, does it increase or decrease your chance of getting in? Any responses are helpful! Thanks!</p>
<p>If you have an excellent GPA, high test scores and top-notch recommendations, then applying early does give you an advantage. There is disagreement, however, over exactly how much of an advantage. </p>
<p>When looking at stats for SCEA acceptance, keep in mind that most recruited athletes are all applying early. (According to Ivy League rules, a college can recruit a maximum of 230 athletes and Harvard probably recruits the maximum during SCEA.) In addition, many “hooked” applicants who are legacies, URM’s or developmental cases (big $$$$) are also accepted during the early round. So, that really skews the early acceptance numbers. Bottom line: Apply early if you have the “total package” and your essays are in great shape.</p>
<p>Pros: Slightly better chances, you have a decision in your hand before January.
Cons: You can only apply to Harvard early.</p>
<p>Well, you can apply to multiple public schools early (many big scholarships and honors programs at state schools have early deadlines), and also to ONE ED (early decision) OR ONE SCEA (single-choice early action) school. </p>
<p>Is it correct that the only SCEA schools are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford? </p>
<p>So, theoretically, you could apply to Harvard, your state U (not sure how your international colleges work within this system, OP), University of Virginia, University of Michigan, the University of California Schools like UCLA and Berkeley, etc., University of Alabama…</p>
<p>Be sure you understand the distinction between early decision and early action and be sure to follow all the rules carefully. Early Decision schools include Columbia, Dartmouth, Amherst.</p>