<p>Stanford is my top choice, and initially I was planing on applying early there. But after looking through a couple of old threads, I started wondering, is applying SCEA actually harder?</p>
<p>I think I would be an average applicant, 2250 SAT score, near-perfect subject tests, top 10% in my class, a couple 5s on APs, various leadership positions and a couple years of doing independent research in a lab. </p>
<p>So should i apply early to show my interest, or wait and apply RD, to improve my essays and GPA? Help :(</p>
<p>'So should i apply early to show my interest, or wait and apply RD, to improve my essays and GPA?"
Stanford cares not a whit over how much “interest” YOU have in going there. So yes, apply RD and apply EA at other, not quite so competitive colleges where you have an excellent chance of acceptance AND would be happy to attend. There is NOTHING like a early acceptance in Dec to calm the nerves. If you apply early you will be competing for many fewer non hooked spots, since all the recruited athletes, legacies, WOW’s, children of professors and DA’s take a good % of the early acceptances spots. If you are none of the above and are not an URM or some other compelling applicant, you’re better off applying when your total application is stronger.</p>