<p>MIT is my first choice school. However, I also like Princeton and Yale. According to past statistics, Princeton and Yale gives slight advantages to early appliers while MIT does not. I'd be very happy going to any of the three schools, but would be happiest at MIT. However, I realize that getting into anyone is a HUGE reach, so shouldn't I use the advantage Princeton/Yale early actions and then just apply to MIT regular decision?</p>
<p>MY STATS:
Perfect SAT and SAT Subj Scores (Chem, Math II, Phys).
Nine 5's on AP Exams.
Top awards at many regional math/science contests.
Mediocre awards at state math/science contests.
Did research, but nothing major.
Started and have leadership positions in many clubs: did real work for all of them.
DOES NOT go to a competitive school. My school is an average US high school.
DOES NOT live in a competitive city/county.</p>
<p>I know I only have the "bottom line" accomplishments that only get me considered. As an added deterrent, I'm chinese. So should I apply early to Princeton/Yale for the advantage, or should I apply to MIT because I fit/like it better?</p>
<p>I just want to make this clear: You get NO ADVANTAGE WHATSOEVER if you apply early at any of those above schools. Yes, the admit rate is higher for early applicants, but it’s a lot more self-selective. Since you get no advantage, you might as well apply to your top choice school, right?</p>
<p>I agree with iceui2…sometimes statistics are skewed and show that early applicants to these super selective schools yield higher acceptance rates. From what I’ve heard, this is only because the candidates that apply early tend to be better candidates who all know that this is the school they want to go to, and thus they prepare in advance and apply early. That doesn’t mean it’s easier to get in.</p>
<p>Also, Princeton and Harvard are both restrictive early action. MIT is not. This means you can apply to MIT early action and other schools early action as well. This might be a good idea: you can apply to some safety/match schools along with MIT and when December comes around, it is likely things will not be as hectic.</p>
<p>I have a question: let’s say sat scores are an issue (low one), but I am doing research on a lab right now (lab is affiliated to Caltech), and last summer conducted research as well (lab was involved on a patent). Is it wise for me to apply early (MIT is my dream school), but my sats are not good?</p>
<p>Err, no. Despite schools claims that early admissions provide no advantage, the phenomenon is well documented:</p>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li>Christopher Avery, Harvard Kennedy School professor in the book The Early Admission Game</li>
</ul>
<p>The regression spoken of included some 200,000 independent admissions decisions in the analysis. Interestingly enough, MIT was the only school where no statistically significant advantage was observed in the overall pool, but even then there was some indication of an advantage among students with certain characteristics (as our friendly neighborhood MIT admissions officers have noted right here on CC).</p>
<p>Bottom line: don’t believe everything you’re told. Admissions officers have an incentive to be misleading on this topic, and they will do so for competitive advantage.</p>