<p>is there a really big difference between upenn ED and RD? i feel my chances for Stanford are slim but if upenn ED and RD aren't that different, than i might consider trying for Stanford EA</p>
<p>Penn’s admissions rate for ED is significantly higher than for RD. However, Penn has not specifically admitted that you have a greater chance of admission if you apply ED, despite many people’s speculation that as a “second-tier Ivy,” they are attempting to improve their yield. Penn’s admissions dean has stated that “students who apply early decision to Penn share a demonstrated passion for our academic programs, the campus community and the city of Philadelphia, and we respond to this pool with a higher admit rate than in regular decision. So I would suggest that the benefit does not come from simply marking the early decision box but that the decision to apply early comes after a thoughtful search process, where one school becomes the students clear first choice” ([Answers</a> From the Admissions Dean of the University of Pennsylvania, Part 1 - The Choice Blog - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/EnQ2]Answers”>Answers From the Admissions Dean of the University of Pennsylvania, Part 1 - The New York Times)). Additionally, there is probably a higher proportion of hooked and highly qualified students applying ED. </p>
<p>More specifically regarding your question, I would not apply ED to Penn if it’s not your first choice. If it is your clear first choice, then you wouldn’t want to apply to Stanford SCEA. But that’s just me. I definitely understand the appeal of that 31% ED admissions rate.</p>
<p>ED at Penn vs. EA at Stanford would be no comparison. Stanford’s EA gives a negligible boost in most cases (even with highly competitive legacies, etc.). That said, don’t apply binding ED anywhere you would not be very happy to matriculate.</p>