<p>Stanford’s acceptance rate for SCEA is higher because the early pool is stronger and more self-selective (as many of Stanford’s admissions officers, as well as the dean of admissions, have stated). Don’t be fooled by the “high” acceptance rate.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well, they always let few people in SCEA, but that’s not why–if you get in SCEA, you’d get in RD, and vice versa. If you’re on the fence (when you might be stronger or weaker than many RD-accepted students), then you’re deferred. However, as Stanford says:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So if you don’t get in SCEA, it wasn’t because they were “holding out”–you would have been rejected RD also.</p>