<p>I come from a public school not too far from Princeton that sends about 8 unhooked kids to Princeton every year (I really don’t know why; maybe the regional admissions officer knows the rigor of our school particularly well). I am on par with a lot of the kids that have been accepted over the past years in terms of scores, grades, and focus/passion/achievement in ECs. However, my first choice is Yale. Our school has no such “pull” with Yale; in fact, no one’s gotten in for a while now.
Should I SCEA to Princeton, knowing that I probably have a better chance there, and try my luck RD at Yale? Or should I apply early to my top-choice school no matter what?</p>
<p>Here’s the thing: SCEA or EA, as opposed to ED, doesn’t confer any admissions advantage. In that sense, you’d hardly be “wasting” your SCEA shot by applying to Princeton rather than Yale; your chances aren’t any better at Yale in October than in January. So why not increase your chances of having an acceptance under your belt in December by applying to Princeton?</p>
<p>I completely see what you’re saying, and that makes sense. I just have one question though. Even if EA confers no tangible advantage, even if the school will not consciously admit someone with lower credentials just because it’s EA, isn’t there an inherent advantage in being given two chances in front of the adcoms (assuming deferral from Yale)?</p>
<p>Go for Yale if it is your true love … Sounds like it is … If you have great stats you’ll position yourself well.</p>