<p>Due to the highly competitive nature of SCEA applicants, I'm starting to doubt that the SCEA choice is the right option for me. Don't get me wrong, Stanford is definitely my first choice, but getting rejected by my first choice in the first round of college decisions doesn't seem like the most morale boosting outcome. I'm expecting ~20 or so of my classmates applying SCEA next year - many of them probably the most competitive applicants to Stanford from my school. </p>
<p>Should I still SCEA, or would it be a better choice applying somewhere else for the EA/ED round of admission?</p>
<p>I think one of the main considerations is whether or not you application would be much stronger if you wait until RD.
For example are you expecting a challenging schedule with great grades in the Fall? Or some great EC activities or some contest results or much strong essays?</p>
<p>I don’t think 2 months will be enough to significantly improve my application - the only difference would definitely be the timing.</p>
<p>One minor element to consider in SCEA applications (to any college) is this: </p>
<p>You can be a little stressed and tense when you are filling out your forms and writing your essays. It’s your first application, you want it to be perfect, and somehow you are not yourself.</p>
<p>I know a couple of kids whose EA essays sounded a little stuck up, a little pretentious, I don’t know, a little cold maybe? In trying to show their accomplishments, they did not come across as likable persons. Both were deferred in the EA round. By the time they got into their RD essays, they were a lot more relaxed and more like themselves, honest, funny, sincere. They got into wonderful colleges.</p>
<p>So I’m not saying this is true for everyone, but your first application can be like your first SAT in the sense that you get better with time. Just my two cents. Does anyone agree?</p>
<p>Definitely agree with onemoreparent. You should apply REA if you meet these criteria:
- Your GPA and standardized testing profile are extremely strong as of the end of your junior year.
- The school to which you are applying REA has been your first choice for quite some time.
- You can prepare a competitive and compelling application by the November 1 deadline.</p>
<p>As for getting rejected so early in the process…at least you’ll have a good reason to finish all your other apps by Dec. 15 so that you won’t have to fill out supplements while feeling despondent. Thus, you’ll be able to enjoy more of your winter break. I personally like the fact that Stanford accepts or rejects most of its REA applicants and doesn’t play the deferral game like HYP. It’s nice to know where you stand with them in December. </p>
<p>Your other option would be to apply EA to one or more other highly selective colleges like Georgetown, UChicago, MIT, etc. and save Stanford for the regular round. Thus, you’ll maximize the odds of having an acceptance letter in your hand come mid-December.</p>