gap year and ed? (general question)

<p>Hello,
I'm an international student and I have some doubts about my hypothetical admission into an American college. I'd like to take a gap year to increase my chances of getting in (you know, some work, improve my skills in some subjects and all) but I don't know whether it's better to send my application now (specifying that I want to take a gap year) or let the gap year go by and then send my normal application without asking for it.
My other question is about ED: after my gap year I'd like to send my application to some Ivy colleges and to some Californian colleges, so, would it be better for me to apply for ED (My first choice would be Upenn) or for RD? Would this fact affect my chances?
Thank you all</p>

<p>Generally ED has a higher rate of acceptance than RD. Look up the comparative rates for the colleges you are interested in</p>