<p>I am winding down to the final updates of my SATs/GPA etc. so as I begin to write my essays I wanted to decide where I apply to early. I know I don't want to ED anywhere and I've narrowed it down between Yale and Harvard. I love both schools very, VERY much but ever so slightly Yale beats out Harvard in my heart. The only hesitation I have is that Harvard has score choice and Yale doesn't. SAT I: 1st try - 2150, 2nd try - 2400: I'm not afraid of Yale seeing my 2150 but perhaps a 2400 looks impressive by itself via score choice? SAT IIs: 1st try - mix of 760 and 2 below 700, 2nd try - in October: this is what I'm most worried about. I don't want adcoms to look down on me for low scores the first time around. I know that Yale probably emphasizes the highest scores whatever, they also say they want all your scores to look at it "in context". Well, I'm upper middle class so while I didn't take expensive prep courses I certainly had the means to so I'm not sure if this "context" hurts me because I did so poorly??? Basically, I know applying early doesn't really give you that much of an advantage (as most who get in are sports recruits and legacies) but I want to get the best bang for my buck; should I go with the lure of score choice or no? Yale or Harvard early action? Thanks in advance and please don't be rude!</p>
<p>A 2150 isn’t even close to doing “poorly” on the SAT, even for Yale, so don’t worry about it affecting your chances. And even so, they really will only look at your highest scores. They only look to the others to see if you progressed or digressed. If you don’t get accepted, it won’t be because of your SAT scores. Also, I’m not sure that I buy admissions officers who claim EA doesn’t impact chances at admission. Look at what this Dartmouth admissions officer said:</p>
<p>“It’s much easier to be admitted during Early even though most schools tell you it’s just as competitive, it’s simply not true. That’s standard administrative rhetoric, but it is much more difficult to be admitted during regular. We’ve already admitted 30 to 35 percent of the class Early. When you first start reading apps you might think one is great, but reading the same app later after 600 others then that kid no longer seems as stellar.”</p>
<p>Even though that is speaking specifically to Dartmouth, I don’t think it can be too different from other highly competitive schools with early action. Harvard and Yale are very different schools. Apply early to the school that “fits” you better.</p>
<p>Although like I said, it’s not necessarily the first SAT I score as much as my first SAT II scores, as I have to send them all to Yale.</p>
<p>Yes, @430ktk, but Dartmouth is also ED. To my understanding, there is a real benefit to ED not so much to EA unless you have a significant “hook” idk,</p>
<p>I still don’t think applying EA really has no impact on likelihood of acceptance. I think the numbers still work out so that a disproportional percentage of incoming freshmen are admitted EA, and I think the Dartmouth admissions officer points out a valid point that applies to EA as well: “When you first start reading apps you might think one is great, but reading the same app later after 600 others then that kid no longer seems as stellar.”</p>
<p>Well, even if what you’re saying is true, then I’m still conflicted with score choicing aka Harvard. Oh well. If low scores the first time really won’t hurt me too bad at Yale I guess I’ll apply to whatever is first. </p>
<p>I agree with the above post. A 2150 is a far cry from a bad score, especially for a first score. If you like Yale better than Harvard, apply to Yale first.</p>
<p>@430ktk, yes alright thanks, but it’s not the 2150 I think is bad but my two subject scores in the 600s. I asked about the 2150 because perhaps a 2400 is more impressive if I send it in alone, via score choice, to Harvard. </p>
<p>But if low scores the first time around doesn’t hurt you that badly/no real gain by score-choicing Harvard I’ll apply early my first choice I guess. </p>