<p>As discussed on other threads, ED does help, but that 2.5x consists of athletes and legacys along with other in the know people too. You seem very qualified, great scores and you are involved, so I think you would be very competitive for RD. ED does give you the slight advantage, but if you are uncomfortable with it, I still think you look like a very solid applicant for RD.</p>
<p>So in short it is not necessary, but it can help you a bit. Why not try for Stanford though SCEA, who knows what will happen? You seem qualified in every area, so you should be competitive.</p>