Which top schools to apply early to?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello! I'm currently a junior in high school who would like to apply early action somewhere this fall. Rather than trying to game the system, I'm trying to make the most realistic options that will help me end up at the right school with as little stress as possible.</p>

<p>Yale is my first choice based on how perfect and happy I found the atmosphere when I visited, as well as on aspects like the residential college system. But I might also love Princeton, which according to my school's history would be much easier for me to get into, especially if I apply SCEA (30%+ acceptance rate as opposed to Yale SCEA's 20% and significantly higher GPA and SAT averages for accepted students from my school). I have fully qualified grades and scores, but I have none of the major hooks (URM, recruited athlete, national award, etc.). Therefore, since both schools are so selective, I cannot predict whether I'll get into either. On the other hand, if I wait for regular decision, I might win prestigious awards before March due to the nature of my talents, whereas I probably cannot win anything more before December. I'm considering applying to the University of Chicago, University of Virginia, University of Michigan, and my state flagship instead to hopefully secure some acceptances at schools I would very happily attend if admitted. I have not visited any of these non-restrictive early action schools because my parents do not want to travel so much, but they all sound nice to me based on my research, and I'll find some other way to demonstrate interest if necessary. I also think I'm flexible and could enjoy myself at any of many universities; I would just prefer University of Virginia and up because I'd like to be surrounded by a more intellectual student body.</p>

<p>If I was a phenomenal candidate, I would definitely apply Yale SCEA, but I'm worried that I'll just get deferred and then somehow get rejected or waitlisted from all my other schools. (Aside from the colleges I already listed, I'll be applying regular decision to several schools like UPenn and Brown, both of which I love too. In other words, the worst school I'm applying to is my relatively respected state flagship.) It also seems as if SCEA does not significantly help at Yale...and since, as I said, I would love to attend any college other than my state flagship, even one December acceptance at a comparatively less selective EA school would delight me.</p>

<p>On the other hand, my parents say I would probably get into at least one college (UMich and higher) in the regular decision round, and that I don't need the extra boost from EA. They say I should just go all in for the school I really want.</p>

<p>If you need some more concrete stats:</p>

<p>I'm expecting about a 3.95 unweighted GPA with the most difficult courseload available at a top public school in New Jersey. My first SAT score was a 2300 and I'm going to retake it because I unnecessarily lost 50 points, and my subject tests are all 750+. I have two regional awards, heavy involvement and leadership in an unusual club/elective, school sports, an instrument, volunteering, the National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist qualification, etc.</p>

<p>With these qualities--as well as the fact that I hate resume-builders and so am a normal girl who has only done what I loved without exhausting myself--what do you think I should do in the fall? Should I just apply early to Yale or Princeton and feel confident that I'll get into one of my other schools in the regular round?</p>

<p>(And if it matters, I'm going into the humanities and my activities and personality reflect that.)</p>

2

<p>The SCEA pool is much more self selecting than the regular decision pool so it is not ‘easier’ to get into SCEA than regular action. And note that if you get deferred, you can still notify Yale or Princeton of any awards or important updates up to late march.</p>

<p>Honestly, I would advise you to apply SCEA to either Yale or princeton, whichever you feel you fit more at. Both colleges defer more than half of SCEA applicants so judging by your academic stats and ECs and achievements, I really doubt you will be outright rejected if you apply SCEA. So I think you will be either accepted or deferred. Even if you are deferred you will have time to try and win those national awards you mentioned which may end up getting you in.</p>

3

<p>Note that SCEA typically means you agree not to apply EA to other private universities; some also have limitations on public universities (some allow you to apply EA to just your home state public universities, but others allow you to apply EA to any public universities).</p>

<p>Check each university’s common data set section C7 to see if “level of interest” matters in the school’s admissions. If it is “not considered”, then don’t worry about recording visits and the like to indicate extra interest than normal.</p>

4

<p>@ucbalumnus: Oh, I apologize if my point was not clear. I meant that precisely because of SCEA’s restrictive definition, I was considering applying to multiple non-restrictive EA schools I like that have higher acceptance rates, since SCEA would take away other early opportunities and very probably not accept me in December because of Yale and Princeton’s super selective nature.</p>

5

<p>I am in the exact same situation! NJ junior debating between Yale and Princeton early app (P has a great history with my school, but I prefer Y!) I think I’m going with Yale SCEA, though, because I have one particular EC that might possibly put me through if I frame it well enough in my application. I’d say go for what you love most; if Princeton likes your school and you are truly competitive for admission, you are likely to get in RD too!</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the feedback! Does anyone else have any input?</p>

7

<p>If Princeton looks much easier to get into from your HS, it must be cause you have lots of hooked kids. Or the unhooked the chances of getting into either are about the same.</p>

<p>Truthfully, an unhooked kid from NJ without a standout EC has a low chance at either. a good early strategy for someone with your Pofile would be to apply early to a top but not HYPS college. If they’re in the mix I agree with your parents, just apply to all RD.</p>

8

<p>I agree with Waverly. Don’t do any SCEA, but instead apply to all the EA schools that you are interested in (including any EA safeties). Then apply regular to those restrictive ones. I saw too many top students this year who got deferred or denied at SCEAs. I hated seeing top students with no college acceptances until the end of March only because they had not been allowed to EA at other private schools. These kids then had fabulous RD decisions come April. However, the emotional toll was high for no reason at all. I don’t see any advantage to SCEA - I don’t believe they accept kids SCEA who they would not accept during the RD round (and the deferred who got in RD proved this to me).</p>