<p>Kenyon is a great choice for writing. So, a very good idea to apply there.</p>
<p>@NROTCgrad what exactly is the difference between the Early Action and the Early Decision? Sorry, it might be a dumb question 
is it true that the possibility of being admitted is higher if I choose the Early Action? I’m pretty certain I can afford to go to either Harvard or Columbia so I just hope I can get into either of them haha…</p>
<p>Early Decision means that if you are accepted then you are obligated not only to attend that college but also to cancel all other applications to other colleges. You must cease all college search activities! In other words, you will go to the school, if accepted. period.</p>
<p>Early Decision sometimes does increase your chances of admission. This depends on the college. If you look at the following webpage, it appears that Ivy League schools do have higher acceptance rates for Early Decision or Early Action: <a href=“2013 Ivy League Admissions Statistics | Ivy Coach”>http://theivycoach.com/2013-ivy-league-admissions-statistics/</a></p>
<p>However, we do not know the statistics of the early applicants. Perhaps they actually have higher SAT/ACT scores, or otherwise are better applicants than those who apply later. Do not assume that the higher rate of acceptance means that it is easier to get in.</p>
<p>Also, it appears that Harvard and Princeton do not offer Early Decision or Early Action. But I recommend making sure. Visit their websites.</p>
<p>The disadvantage is the you are totally locked into the college, if you are accepted. Plus you had better not apply ED to more than one school. If they both take you then you have a major problem. If you really are sure that you can afford Harvard or Columbia (talk to your parents about this!) then you need to decide which one to apply ED for. Do not do so for both schools (assuming Harvard actually offers ED). Choose one or the other.</p>
<p>Early Action is simply a request that the college look at your application earlier than normal. You are not required to attend, if accepted. This is a much less risky option, and is usually very smart to try. Some colleges have only Early Action (but not Early Decision).</p>
<p>@NROTCgrad Oh, now I see what the difference is. I think Harvard offers SCEA, which I think means they require that student apply only to Harvard during the Early Action/Decision round. Also, Columbia has ED. Thank you for your thorough response! It much helped me understand the app process better. Yeah, I knew that we could only apply to one college as an EA/ED applicant, so I was wondering which one I should apply to for EA/ED… I’m already so nervoussss. And my parents say they are happy to pay the tuition if I get into one of them. If I get locked into Harvard or Columbia I’ll be so happy with that hahaa :p</p>
<p>@NROTCgrad (but I’m not sure why Harvard calls it SCEA, considering that all EA and EDs require students apply only to their colleges?..)</p>
<p>To everyone: do you guys have any recommendations for safety schools? How about George Washington University? Please let me know if you can think of any :)</p>
<p>ugh, ignore the George Washington question. I guess it’s also a very selective school… just please let me know if you have any rec :)</p>
<p>@NROTCgrad I forgot to ask you this, but doesn’t San Diego State University have the acceptance rate of 30% or something…? Maybe you were referring to University of San Diego (USD, not UCSD)??? Sorry about so many questions :p</p>
<p>Well, yes, you are correct about San Diego State University having an acceptance rate of around 30%. However, the middle 50% ACT scores are 21 to 26, and SAT’s are equally low (mid 50% of about 1500 to 1800). For you, then, it is a safety. Also, this is a great example of how acceptance rates can be deceiving. Obviously a lot of mediocre students are applying to San Diego State.</p>
<p>Regarding ED/EA, no, you are not normally required to limit your applications during the ED process – only after you are accepted. I could be wrong about some specific school. Maybe Harvard has some policy which limits you during the early application process. Just make sure that you know what your are getting into at each college. They often have different policies.</p>
<p>@NROTCgrad I see. I should consider applying to SDSU then. I think San Diego is such a beautiful place even though I’ve only visited there once in my life. Yes, I’ll definitely make sure I do! :)</p>
<p>Other than Kenyon, all of the schools are your list are farly large. I recommend at least considering some small “liberals arts” colleges. Some which could be potential safeties include:</p>
<p>Willamette University in Salem, Oregon
University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington</p>
<p>Larger, but not huge schools:</p>
<p>University of Denver
Seattle University</p>
<p>All the above are excellent, but not especially well known.</p>
<p>Although not safeties, I would also recommend:</p>
<p>University of Rochester
Washington University in St. Louis
Tulane University</p>
<p>All three have reputations as schools for people who could not get into Ivy League universities.</p>
<p>@NROTCgrad I’m considering adding University of Denver to my college list 
Thank you for your recommendation!</p>
<p>If you do decide to apply to University of Denver, and also happen to make a visit, then also consider visiting Colorado College (not U.Colorado-Boulder) down in Colorado Springs. It is a small liberal arts college where you only study one course at a time and each course lasts about a month. Very highly respected and is a peer college to Kenyon.</p>
<p>@NROTCgrad Thank you! :)</p>