Agreed. I actually don’t quite understand why you would apply to Harvard/Princeton (especially Harvard) when you’re REALLY interested in engineering.
My d was deferred and I saw that there are over 40,000 applications for regular decision. Does it help her chances if she selected the summer session? I saw some of your kids were deferred and then got accepted to summer session.
There’s not 40000 RD applications. That’s how many applications there are for EA and RD
GT is the honors program.
They do have a program but you have to pay extra for it. They have some planned outings. The students in it are average for Tech. I don’t think there is any advantage to being in it except socializing.
A couple of years ago there was a poster who was a MIT graduate who had 2 sons get into both MIT and GT in subsequent years.
For both MIT was full pay and both got offered full rides at Tech (presidential). To his chagrin they both chose MIT and he was left to foot the bill.
@collegehunt2017 My son did not check that box on the application…
I’d call admissions and ask if I could retroactively check that box… if it helps.
@Greymeer let me know what they say. I don’t think my d checked it either. Was your s deferred as well?
@Greymeer Thank you for the suggestion. He’ll call after the weekend and see if that’s a possibility. Tech is his #1. I asked him if he’d be willing to go summer if it means he’d get in and he said that is a resounding yes!
@collegehunt2017 When we toured GT two years ago, we were told that it definitely does improve your odds of admission somewhat by selecting summer admit, but no statistics were given on what the improvement would be.
@RoboticsDad Thank you. Sure wish he had known that before applying ea. He would have checked that option I am sure. He will see if he can update for consideration in the regular decision.
Status: Accepted
Intended Major: Chem & Bio Eng
GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.825 W Highest course load as allowed
Rank: 1/465
Testing/Rigor: 1550 SAT one attempt, 800 Math II, 760 Physics.
EC’s: President for 3 clubs, Varsity Tennis and Volleyball, Sax All district every year and State #12
Volunteer: 400 Hrs mainly refurbish old computer and donate.
Research: Two summer in bio fuel in local university.
Essays/Recs: Very Good recommendation and OK essays.
Reason: Probably lesser competition in Chemical. EC’s, Leadership
@TheVulcan If money is no object, there is nothing like Caltech and MIT for the uber geek experience. We know people living in The Sponge residence hall at MIT, and it is basically like a Big Bang Theory episode. GT is a great school, but it is not an uber geek culture. At MIT, you can actually earn a pirate certificate (aye matey!). For some, that is a con; for others, a pro. Probably the better question is, if you can afford both, would the kid (or you) prefer to bank the money or have the experience.
Thank you for your input, @go_dawgs, @Greymeer and @RoboticsDad!
Son was actually planning on looking into earning that pirate certificate! 
But he is mature enough to know that college doesn’t define him. He has decided to proceed with the process and see where it leads.
In the very unlikely event he actually wins the GT full ride (odds are about 1 in 10, but his chances are probably a lot lower:), it would probably be stupid to pass it up. Stamps opens a lot of extra opportunities at an already great school that is GT.
And even though we are prepared to pay for MIT, money is not quite “no object”. We’re just a regular “doughnut hole” family, and while MIT is one of the more generous schools, we’re still looking at around 200K for the undergrad, with one more kid right behind.
I know only a few weeks ago we could only wish these were the choices we’d be contemplating. But I honestly do not know what outcome I wish for right now…
But whatever it is, we will have to believe it is for the best.
Will deferred students have an advantage over regular decision students? Also, will the Georgia residency advantage apply for people who are deferred? I got deferred and am hoping for some sort of assurance, thanks.
I am very curious about this as well. Could be very important
On the deferred supplemental it asks you if you would consider Summer or Fall entry or Fall only.
@anonymousbrady69 Two year old data here, but we were told that deferred EA applicants do not receive any benefit over those in RD. However, that works both ways. You are also not at a disadvantage compared to RD applicants. Historically, 20-25% of deferred applicants are offered admission in the RD round, which is pretty good compared to some other places. Basically, you become a RD applicant. Georgia residency remains an advantage. Also selecting summer entry gives you a slight boost.
Thanks for the reply. Very helpful info @RoboticsDad
@TheVulcan , my daughter faced a similar tough choice when she was offered GT Stamps, but she also had EA admission to Princeton. The financial aid was great at Princeton, but not the full ride that GT was. In the end, she went with Princeton (electrical engineering/Chinese) and graduates this year (with no debt.) She has had fantastic opportunities and really enjoys the atmosphere and the people, so no regrets on her part. As a parent, I still wistfully think about the Stamps experience and what it might have offered her.
@wally1688 Princeton’s engineering program is highly ranked.