Just wondering. If i apply EA to a school and get denied (say because of test scores), will it hurt my regular descision application? or should i just wait until regular decision?
If you’re talking about the same school, then your scenario does not exist. If denied during the EA round, you are prohibited from re-applying that year. Only one bite at the apple per application season.
If you’re speaking about other colleges, it won’t matter – they won’t know about your EA rejection anyway.
^Yes.
OP, denials are denials. No RD round for you. Deferrals, on the other hand, are different. You will be pushed into the RD round.
@TiggyB62 So it would be in my best favor to wait until RD?
If you found your credential to be below the admission average of that school, you probably should improve your score/GPA and apply for RD. However, if the school only defer students that are not admitted (e.g. UMich), the only disadvantage of applying EA would be less time to polish your essays. You may still improve your GPA and submit new scores after deferral. Note that many schools only offer merit scholarships to early applicants, however, if you are likely deferred, you are not likely in the pool for scholarship.
OP, are you wanting to increase your test scores? Applying EA, usually means that you are a solid candidate with a solid app (not taking into consideration any hooks). If you believe that you need to increase your test scores then waiting to retake tests and applying RD may be a better strategy.
@Yomo710 I cant’ say because I don’t know you or your stats or the schools to which you are applying etc. As @goingnutsmom said, ED/EA applicants usually are solid in their test scores and 1st Q grades and are comfortable submitting those early. In most cases ED will give you a bump over RD but you need to have the goods.