In December I was lucky enough to be admitted to Harvard under early action. The choice for where to apply early was pretty difficult, especially after I visited Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. I’ve also read a lot about the schools and recognize that they have their own pluses and minuses. I figured I would go with my gut in applying early, and regardless of the results I would apply to the other places to determine which place is right for me. So I still applied to Yale and Princeton for RD.
The problem is, many of my friends weren’t lucky enough to get into their top school early. Most of them were deferred by Princeton and Yale, and some of my other friends are applying to those places RD. I worry that my application is going to make the process more competitive for my classmates who aren’t in yet. Assuming (big assumption) that those schools admitted me, is it likely that the only reason my friends don’t get in is because I applied as well? And if I withdraw my app, they probably would get in? I’m afraid of feeling terrible if I get in and they don’t. I was torn over this issue during winter break and ended up submitting the apps under the thought that I could always withdraw them later. I thought it would be foolish to regret NOT submitting apps that I had already completed. I think I’m leaning toward Harvard, but again, I really liked the other places and if admitted I would highly consider them. But I know that some of my classmates have their heart set on these places.
Don’t worry about them. My kid’s class of 50 had 2 kids accepted to the same Ivy. It won’t be your app that keeps any of them out. Run your own race. See where you get in. I know a couple people who turned H down for Y; if you aren’t 100% certain, leave your RD apps in place.
I think those schools admit students according to their qualifications. They don’t have quota for each HS.
But I would withdraw my app if I am satisfied with my EA result. Why bother with more work?
@Bubama I agree with @intparent You need to think about yourself first and this is not a case of trophy-hunting. You are not sure what you would do if admitted also to Y and/or P. As for your classmates, it is unlikely that your application will keep them out or that your withdrawal would cause them to get in. They will be judged on their own merits and – based on the odds – probably not admitted. But they might get in (you have not provided any sense for how competitive their apps are, whether they have hooks, etc.).
The people I’m concerned about are very qualified applicants. They’ve got great scores and grades with rigorous course loads. I won’t go into too much detail but IMO they have great ECs as well.
That’s not that big of a problem if they are qualified they will get in. 7 students in my grade got into Princeton and I know another high school got more students into Princeton than my school from the same area. Ivy leagues will take multiple qualified applicants from the same school if there are enough.
Don’t worry about it at all. My kid’s school routinely has multiple kids go to the same Ivy (12 at one, 11 at another, 22(!) to the same top-10 school last year.) There aren’t quotas.
There are no quotas per high school and each application reviewed on its own merits. I agree with the others that if you would consider P or Y if accepted then apply.