<p>Stanford's my top choice. I've looked at previous threads about applying early and a lot seem to say that if Stanford's your top choice, apply early. My stats are decent but I know that the essays are much more important. I really want to make sure I feel comfortable with the essays by the time I submit them in. So would applying regular be better then? But then again, there'll be a lower EA pool because of Harvard and Princeton's reinstating of their EAs.
The two people that I know to have applied early to Stanford from my school have been rejected (although one was deferred-rejected). The only person this year to have gotten in applied regular. Should this knowledge have some influence over my decision of when to apply? Thanks!</p>
<p>
Not necessarily.
First of all, Stanford attracts different people than Harvard and Princeton. Not many people are willing to trek out to California for college as you might think. Intellectually, each of the HYPS have different atmosphere. For example, Stanford attracts more science oriented kids than Yale and Yale is attractive to more philosophy-oriented kids.
Secondly, given the trend that each year, the number of application has been growing, it is likely that the higher app rate will partly (if not fully) compensate for the number of students lost to other SCEA schools.
In addition, just because there are less EA applicants, it doesn’t mean that your chances are any higher. It’s EA, non binding and Stanford knows that their yield is one of the highest in the country so they don’t have to worry too much about people not going to their school. Stanford can and probably will accept less kids during SCEA if their applicant pool drops. Then they will accept compensate and accept a few more during RD where they can a bigger picture of the application pool. </p>
<p>So really, there is no advantage of either. Apply to the one you want to apply to. Stanford will accept students that they want, regardless of the application round. If they don’t like their SCEA people, they can defer or reject a lot of them and then focus more on the RD people. It’s not like they worry about yield.</p>
<p>I would definitely apply Early Action, especially since early action is not binding as early decision is.
Also, just a side note - I live near Stanford and it’s beautiful! It’s true that it’s hard to get in, but, as you said, the essay is an incredibly important factor and if you think that you can write an amazing essay by the early action deadline, I definitely think you should apply.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>