<p>UVa endeavors to make EA about the same level of difficulty as the later admissions cycle. There are some students who are deferred from EA who are admitted in the regular cycle. That is why it is essential for students to keep up their grades in high school, because those December-January grades in the senior year can make or break an admissions offer.</p>
<p>In any case, admissions among the most competitive universities are unpredictable, because those universities are choosing between so many well-qualified applicants. Just make sure you have some colleges that are BOTH admissions and financial safeties. It doesn’t do any good to have a safety that is only an admissions safety but not a financial safety. </p>