<p>I am in the process of deciding where to apply early action, if anywhere. I have decided from the helpful advice of previous threads that I would not apply early decision, since it is binding and eliminates options and doesn't let me compare FA offers. </p>
<p>However, the non binding early action programs were interesting to me, since they seemed to have higher admission rates than regular. My question is, what is the real reason that the admission rates are higher? Is it because the applicant pool in itself is stronger, or is it really because they are easier on early action candidates? I have heard that this is different at different schools, too, so does anyone know specifically for Yale?</p>
<p>On a side note, a while back (before I decided against early decision), I asked a UPenn rep about early decision (since Penn offers Early Decision and not Early Action). The rep told me that any student admitted early would have gotten in regular, suggesting that they do not have any special preferences towards early applicants. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Also, is it "bad" to not apply early? Is it like missing an opportunity? I feel that regular gives more time to work on applications, and also gives more options, but I feel like I am slacking by not applying early. Is this really missing a huge opportunity?</p>
<p>Thanks, and sorry for the long question. I am a first timer at this, since no one else in my family has gone through the college admissions process here in the US. Thanks in advance for your reponses!</p>
<p>It is indeed different at different schools. Yale, however, is no easier SCEA. Silverturtle (of CC fame) has proved that there is no advantage. Plus Yale doesn’t look at demonstrated interest, so showing enthusiasm that way does not help. Applying early can help at other schools, though.</p>
<p>I don’t know how much I believe the Penn admissions officer. Yes, all all ED accepted students have to be strong, and would be competitive RD, but there is always going to be a little boost.</p>
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<p>It’s not bad at all! Yale even says on their site that if you need more time–for testing, essays, etc.–then you would be better served by RD.</p>
<p>From Yale’s website:
“Applying Single-Choice Early Action does not increase the likelihood of being admitted to Yale. Historically, the rate of admission among early applicants has been higher than the overall admission rate because many of our strongest candidates, from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, apply early. We therefore offer this advice: Apply for Single-Choice Early Action if you want to receive a decision in mid-December and you are confident of the credentials you will be presenting to the admissions committee early in your senior year. An Early Action applicant must meet the same criteria for admission as an applicant in the regular pool. A thoughtful college search and a careful assessment of your readiness to present a strong application as early as November 1, are key. Candidates who need more time, for whatever reason, will be better served by our Regular Decision process”</p>
<p>There may be some schools where applying EA shows enhanced interest in the school, which can matter. This is probably not the case at Yale, though.
The “need more time” point is key–if your grades and scores are as good as you think they’re going to be, and you don’t have any special achievements or accomplishments coming along after the EA deadline, then it makes sense to apply early.</p>
<p>One exception: If you want to take advantage of legacy status you should apply in the early round. This is generally true for all schools and likely true of Yale.</p>
<p>Hi to all who replied. Thank you for your responses. People seem to agree on CC that early action really doesn’t increase chances. To the user who copied and pasted an exerpt from Yale’s website, I have read there, and would have just taken it word for word, but after hearing all the differences in opinion at school, I wasn’t sure what to believe. I have heard answers ranging from, “it helps immensely” to “early action actually decreases your chances, since everyone applying is so strong.” </p>
<p>Thanks again for the insight. Anyone else who has anything to add is welcome to!</p>
<p>I think as of now I would just apply regular. It may give me more time for essays and this group I worked with over the summer is trying to push for publication on a paper, so there is a slight chance it might add to my activities if I waited to regular. However, about the “grades and scores not as good as I think they will be,” what do you mean exactly by that? Right now I have a 4.0 unw, but this senior year first semester I have at least one class (AP Physics C) that might be hard. Is it worth the risk to wait til regular to apply, if it is possible I might not get an A in that class? As of now, it is alright, especially given that I haven’t taken any physics before, I am doing ok up until now.</p>
<p>Is it still ok to wait until regular? I take it that if I end up doing well this first semester, it may help as well?</p>
<p>One non-A in an AP class will not ruin your chances. And applying early, so that colleges may not see that grade, is a bad idea. You’ve got a 50% chance of getting deferred anyway, so they’ll probably end up seeing the grade.</p>
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<p>You won’t be at any disadvantage applying RD. And yes, if you show continued achievement senior year, it can only help you.</p>
<p>The applicants who get admitted in the SCEA rounds of both Stanford and Yale (although, I do believe both adopt different approaches regarding deferrals and rejections) are usually: a) Academically EXCEPTIONAL (internationally ranked in math, music, sports, etc.) b) very compelling, but otherwise normal, or c) Multibillionaire donors (could include legacy students). At Yale, everyone else gets deferred.</p>
<p>I don’t know about Stanford, but I’ve looked at some of the Yale SCEA results threads here on CC. My observation is that the students who were admitted were academically very strong, and many of them had significant achievements outside of school. There are cases in which you are surprised that a person was deferred, but not that many surprises in terms of those accepted or rejected.</p>
<p>@adiboo: Basically what Hunt said. Sorry, I should have more accurately distinguished between academically stellar students and students internationally ranked in academic fields.</p>
<p>I have spoken with an interviewer, a lady who ran an information session, a person who sat on college admissions, and my guidance counselor, and I can assure you that apply to yale SCEA will NOT help at all. In fact, the yale SCEA track has a more competitive group of applicants. Yale accepts roughly the same amount, and your transcript will usually always look better with senior year grades. Think twice about it.</p>