SCEA vs. RD

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I've been hearing so many different opinions on applying early action. Should an average student apply early or regular?</p>

<p>I have pretty good sat scores (2300, which I heard is about the 75 percent tile) but average gpa (4.0 unweighted, I don't know my cumlative but it's been 4.0, 4.2, 4.8 my first three years) and I've taken/taking 9 AP classes total (got 5 on all of them so far). My ECs however are probably below average (3 club positions, 2 summer programs, spanish honor society, 3 summers volunteering at same place, plus couple of leadership awards, merit scholar) but at least I'm pretty well-rounded but with a focus (my summer programs and one of my clubs and my essays are about science/engineering which is my major but I'm also on newspaper and in a surfing club). However there's nothing amazing like national awards and stuff.</p>

<p>So I know Stanford is pretty much a HUGE reach especially with my subpar ECs (and I'm pretty much expecting rejection so it's not like I'll cry if I don't get in or something) but it is my dream school so at least want to try. Will I have a better chance early action or regular decision? Because ea has a higher acceptance rate, but I heard people who apply ea are amazing/have hooks etc. (Plus at my school, a guy got rejected stanford EA but got into pretty much every ivy league including harvard. yet at my friend's school pretty average people get into stanford EA every year) So everything I'm hearing is pretty contradictory. So can you guys please give me some advice/opinions? Thank you!!</p>

2

<p>There is no great advantage admissions-wise in applying EA to Stanford, but there certainly is no disadvantage, as long as you have a strong application ready by the deadline. Getting your admissions decision early is a huge plus (especially if you get in ;))</p>

3

<p>(Just because this is bugging me) the word is percentile :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>I’m not sure whether or not there’s any huge andvantage to applying early but it’s supposed to be slightly more difficult to get accepted early because the applicant pool is supposedly stronger. Since your SAT and GPA are pretty good, if you think that your essays are the best they can be by the November 1st deadline then you should give SCEA a shot.</p>

4

<p>Sorry, but this was bothering me –> an unweighted GPA of 4.0 is certainly NOT average. It’s a perfect GPA. There’s nothing average about that. If you’ve taken NINE AP’s then your weighted GPA should be beyond sky-high.</p>

<p>As for SCEA or RD…I agree with hpfan018.</p>

<p>Although I think you have a great shot if your essays are incredible.</p>

5

<p>as long as you arent a robot you should be ok, thats probably why the “average” people are getting in to stanford from your school, they probably didnt sound like boring studyholics</p>