Advantages of applying EA to Stanford?

zenkoan
Mon, 10 May 2010 13:13:49 +0000

^^That’s right, because although the percentage of students taken from the early admit pool is higher, the credentials of those who apply early are, on average, more competitive than in the regular decision pool. (Please note that I said “on average”; I’m aware that there will be exceptions on both sides.) The other important factor is that Stanford, unlike some other schools with early action programs, doesn’t defer a large number of candidates from the early to the regular pool. So if you think you will be able to stand out among the early action pool, you should go for it since if you aren’t admitted, you most likely wouldn’t have been admitted in the regular round anyway.

Anonymous93, I hope you have a fantastic time at your chosen school. I’ve heard of quite a few similar situations this past year, with amazing students accepted at all but one college for some indecipherable reason. It’s an illustration of the fact that some element of randomness exists in admissions at all of the top schools, even for the most desirable candidates.