<p>I was wondering which had a higher acceptance rate and would be the best to apply early considering all factors. I'd really like to apply to early action somewhere (and preferably be accepted) as in my country school finishes in December (I'll be taking a gap year, doing some work in Cambodia which my friend recommended, and tutor English for the rest of the year until September).</p>
<p>I think you should choose based on which school you like more. SCEA rates can be misleading because the kids who apply are generally more qualified so there’s a higher admission rate compared to RD. Furthermore, a small percentage difference is not enough to justify applying early to a school. Apply to the one you like more.</p>
<p>If you are an international student with financial need and do not hold a US citizenship, do not apply to Stanford SCEA. Since Stanford is need-aware for internationals, you’ll mostly end up being deferred anyways(or rejected, worse.) I was deferred SCEA and later accepted RD this year, and I’m an int’l with need.</p>
<p>However, if the lines above does not apply to you, just choose the school you like the most! I bet the differences in difficulty of admission to both schools are non-existent.</p>
<p>EA admit rates are similar, about 13% according to the CB website. However, there is definitely a difference between the deferral rates, with Y deferring a substantial percentage of EA applicants and S relatively few (see the S website for their comment on EA decisions).</p>
<p>@Undergraduate, thanks. If Stanford is need aware than it’ll probably be a risk applying to it as I will probably apply with FA.</p>