Yale and Stanford are both reach schools of mine and I believe it would be beneficial to apply early action to at least one of them. I am Undecided about which one. Plan to major in Mechanical Engineering or Physics
However I am hesitating. I have a 32 on the ACT at the moment (35 English, 29 Math, 31 Reading, 33 Science). My previous test I had a 31 composite (30 English, 32 Math, 31 Reading, 31 Science). I am very confident I can get score very well with one more test (didn’t due well on previous two due to illness and lack of prep).
Would it be a good idea to NOT apply Early Action to submit a better ACT from the Oct. 27th test date or should I just submit the scores I have and take advantage of Early Action?
It would be a good idea to NOT apply early action when you are confident your application is not as strong as it can be with any additional testing or other information. Stanford REA defers relatively few students so you can’t cont n a deferral to get a second shot with higher scores. FWIW, your 29 and 32 math sub scores are low for a professed physics or engineering student in the rarified category of HYPSM or similarly competitive colleges.
@YaleGradandDad
Yep, I’m aware that my scores are lower than typical at hypsm schools. But it’s still worth a shot, right? Worst thing that could happen is they say no.
And thank you for the quick and useful response 
IMO, I wouldn’t waste the ED on a school where your scores aren’t in the ballpark. Those math sub scores are big red flags for your intended major.
What is your math SAT II subject test scores?
As @YaleGradandDad commented about Stanford, you run the risk of getting flat out rejected by ED’ing before you get those scores up. If they are really your top pick, I think you have a better shot RD (assuming those scores come up).
Agree with other posters and would add this: ‘Taking a shot’ at SCEA at schools where one is not in the top quartile is not without consequence. You give up something of value, which is the ability to apply to a school’s ED offering (or another SCEA/REA school) where you might benefit from a higher relative acceptance rate as compared to EA and/or RD.
You get one ED or restricted application, and should weigh the pros and cons accordingly and carefully. And it bears repeating, only enter into a binding application if you are certain it’s your number one school and don’t have to compare financial aid offers. I would suggest talking to your GC about your application strategy.
Regarding restricted EA at both schools, are there other schools in your list where the restrictions would prevent you from applying to an early admission process at those schools?
I cannot apply early decisionn as the results of my ROTC scholarship application will determine where I can go. That’s why I am only looking at early action.
Of schools on my list, Purdue and coast guard academy both offer early action but I am leaning towards taking both of those off my list all together. All the other schools with multiple admission plans only have early decision.
Sounds like I should definitely take it again. Practice test from the red book have been scoring me around 33/34 with a 33-35 in math. So I am pretty confident about getting it up but the time RD comes around. I have not take. The subject test (I know, I know, I’ll only have one shot, my mistake) but I have ordered the Barron’s books for my selected test.
I’m honestly not to concerned about if I get accepted to Yale/Stanford (but I would almost certainly go if I was!!!) because I like my safeties to. So I’m at peace about it and won’t stress to much if I can’t manage to get those scores up.
Thanks for all the help again @momofsenior1 @Mwfan1921 @ucbalumnus
Also, when you say my act math score is a little low, I assume you mean for top schools and physics/engineering right? Not physics/engineering in general?
As you don’t want to apply EA to any private school, or ED anywhere, it really comes down only to possible advantage of SCEA with 32 composite (and 29 and 32 math) vs. possible advantage of maybe having at least 33 or 34 in RD.
I think there’s only a small chance that either the SCEA or the possible 34 will be the one deciding factor that puts you over the top either way. So maybe you should just take a shot at SCEA for whichever one makes more sense. My guess is it would be Yale, if Stanford defers less and might be more math score focused.
If you get in during SCEA, you’ll be quite happy. And if you don’t, you can’t realistically say you definitely made the wrong choice, because getting in RD with any score at these schools can’t be assumed or even considered the more likely outcome.