<p>I'm a senior trying to decide whether to apply to Yale or Stanford EA. I want to do business and then many a JD/MBA program after college. I will probably major in Econ at Stanford or the Ethics, Economics, and Politics major at Yale. If possible, I'd like to "create my own major" at Stanford in Business. I have great grades/ECs but a mediocre SAT score. I want to apply EA to the most difficult admissions commitee since I've heard you have more of a chance of getting in this way and I could use the help with my SAT scores. I also want to apply EA to the school that's best for my major and accepts the most AP/IB credit possible. What's your opinion? Can I get some facts on the two (on anything: housing, networking, class size, professors, community, school spirit, which school values standardized testing more, classes taught by TAs v. professors, etc.)?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>P.S. Not applying to UPenn early since its only ED.</p>
<p>Though EA will help your chances, you must remember that the pool applying EA is extremely competitive and full of students that are so committed to Stanford/Yale that they gave up the chance to apply Early anywhere else. In such a competitive pool mediocre SAT scores probably won’t cut it…but please post your stats in entirety…because what you consider mediocre may be good enough. I’m not discouraging you from applying early, because you could certainly get in if your other attributes are stellar, but if the sole reason you’re applying to Yale/Stanford is that:
“I want to apply EA to the most difficult admissions commitee”
then you may want to look at other top schools that accept more scores in your SAT range.
Also have you tried ACT? It’s not too late for that…</p>
<p>EA will not help anyone with any sub par part of the application. This is a huge misconception. This is not when breaks are handed out.</p>
<p>At these schools it is the round mostly for hooked candidates but can help a superstar candidate from a competitive pool. So if you’re an Asian Val with a 2380 and great ECs from CA, which sends lots of candidates fitting that description, EA might be for you.</p>
<p>Your point about a school that accepts the most AP/IB credits possible makes it sound to me as if you are not a fit for Yale or Stanford. Students at those schools are usually of the type that wants to take more classes in order to learn more, not get through college/acquire a credential as quickly as possible. Combined with “mediocre” scores and a desire to study “business,” it sounds as if you should be looking at some of the slightly less competitive schools with good undergraduate business programs, preferably those with rolling admissions or EA.</p>
<p>Of course, this could be a mistaken impression on my part.</p>
<p>The Gatekeepers book had a student relay Chelsea Clinton story & the student followed the same logic – Choose to enroll in the school on the opposite coast for a chang of pace.</p>
<p>I get the impression from this persons verbiage and maturity level they are not cut for Yale or Stanford. Those are also primarily grad schools that do not cater to undergrads. They are not LAC’s or priv’s where you can ‘create your own major’ and require a lot of preparation for. To be honest their undergrad student body really isn’t even that special or generally that much more intelligent. Most of the time the ones who get in have parents that have money or political pull.</p>