<p>Actually, the bigger reason to apply to places like Swarthmore and Amherst ED is to beat the rush of the gazillion high-stat applicants wasting their EA apps with wing and a prayer long-shots at HYPSM. </p>
<p>By the time those gazillion kids say, "Uh-oh, deferred, I guess I better start mass-mailing applications", you are already fat, dumb, and happy, with an acceptance in hand, looking forward to a relaxed Christmas vacation.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, most of these kids end up at the same schools. Some just go through more heartache than others to get there!</p>