Early Action to Harvard?

[Emma27]

Hi!

Just a few questions about applying early to Harvard.

Is the only option Restrictive Early Action? I’ve noticed there was no Early Decision.
Would this increase my chances in any way or is it just because the pool applying EA is better qualified that the statistics are higher? Given that I think one extra month won’t make much of a difference to my stats, is there any other reason not to apply Early Action? Can I still apply to State schools?

Many thanks to anyone who answers – it would be immensely helpful!

[Wje9164be]

REA has the same type of impact on admission rates as ED at other colleges. There is much debate as to whether a particular applicant’s chances are better or if the pool of applicants applying REA is stronger

[renaissancedad]

REA/SCEA still allows you to apply to state schools early (and to overseas schools), just not to other U.S. private universities.

[Emma27]

Is there any way I could be put at a disadvantage by applying early? If the pool of applicants is stronger, could that in fact decrease my chances?

[gibby]

I posted this on another thread, maybe you missed it:

SCEA is not for everyone – it is SUPER competitive. Having been through this with both my kids, here’s my advice:

In the SCEA round HYPS are looking for the best of the best, meaning that if you have a 2200+ SAT, with lots of AP classes and AP tests (all with 4’s and 5’s) and an unweighted GPA above 95 (on a 1-100 scale) or an unweighted GPA of 3.9+ (on a 1-4 scale), and are ranked in the top 1% to 3% of your graduating class, then you should apply to HYP or S in the SCEA round. Pick a school, whichever one is your favorite, and apply, as the odds tend to be better for high-end students in the early round, no matter what Admissions says otherwise.

If you have a sub-2200 SAT or the ACT equivalent, and are ranked in the top 4% to 10% of your high school’s graduating class, then you should probably NOT apply SCEA, as there is a high probability that your application will get buried by the polly-perfect’s of this world, and there is a greater likelihood you will be deferred.

Instead, student’s with sub-2200 SAT’s, and ranked in the top 4% to 10% of their graduating class, should apply to a broad range of non-binding colleges in the early round and apply to HYPS in the RD round.

If you are a strong applicant, I suppose the worst that could happen if you apply SCEA is that you get deferred. FWIW: Harvard defers most applicants in the SCEA round: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2014/12/977-admitted-to-class-of-2019-under-early-action/

In addition to the 977 admitted students, 4,292 were deferred and will be considered again in the Regular Action process, while 541 were denied, 19 withdrew, and 90 were incomplete.

However, your goal should be to have at least one acceptance in your back pocket come mid-December, so you need to follow Harvard’s advice on the SCEA info page: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-timeline/restrictive-early-action

QUESTION: If I apply restrictive early action to Harvard, may I apply to another private college’s early action program (restrictive or not)?

ANSWER: No. However, you may apply Early Action to any public college/university or to foreign universities.

If you apply SCEA, you should also apply to any state college that interests you – schools like UMich, UCLA, UVA – basically any school on this list: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public. And, you can also apply early to any non-US university.

As the vast majority of student’s do not get accepted in the SCEA round, you need to give yourself lots of other choices both SCEA and RD.

[Emma27]

If you are a strong applicant, I suppose the worst that could happen if you apply SCEA is that you get deferred. FWIW: Harvard defers most applicants in the SCEA round: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2014/12/977-admitted-to-class-of-2019-under-early-action/
In addition to the 977 admitted students, 4,292 were deferred and will be considered again in the Regular Action process, while 541 were denied, 19 withdrew, and 90 were incomplete.

Thank you! This was helpful! My scores are above the ones you mentioned so I’m guessing I’d be able to apply for SCEA. Is it more likely to be deferred than actually rejected? From what you posted, it seems like a whole lot were deferred and not very many rejected. What are your chances of getting in if you’ve been deferred? Sorry for all the questions! Did both your kids get into HYP?

[rdeng2614]

If you’re deferred, then it’s basically the same as applying regular. I’m assuming the acceptance rate during the regular round is much lower so you have about a 2% chance. Judging from statistics alone, yes you’re more likely to get deferred but that could also be because of the quality of applicants during the early round and Harvard believes many still have a chance in the regular round.

I believe both his kids got into one of HYP. I think both his kids went to a feeder school with top stats and still they were not accepted to all 3 of HYP so it kind of gives you an idea how competitive admissions to these colleges are.

Apply to Harvard early if it is your top choice. You have the stats so you are qualified. Applying early will still give a boost as it shows interest and Harvard has been accepting more and more from the early round.