<p>Your are correct in assuming that if you do apply REA to Stanford then that’ll be your only early application with some exceptions for public universities (more info here: [Restrictive</a> Early Action : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/decision_process/restrictive.html]Restrictive”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/decision_process/restrictive.html)). You’d have to wait until regular to apply to Princeton, MIT, and Harvard. May I ask why you’re planning to apply early to Stanford out of all these schools? </p>
<p>Regarding music supplements, see this portion of Stanford’s website:
[Arts</a> Supplement : Stanford University](<a href=“Page Not Found : Stanford University”>Arts Portfolio : Stanford University)</p>
<p>Pay careful attention to this piece of info: “Applicants with extraordinary talent in the fine or performing arts may submit supplementary materials for review.”</p>
<p>In your case, I’m not sure I’d submit a supplement. Supplements are used to identify kids who’d be able to really contribute at the collegiate level. I don’t believe there’s an electronic music group at Stanford. But then again, I’m not the person to ask about this. Perhaps you should contact the admission office itself? I can’t answer your questions about whether a crappy supplement will hurt your app. I’m inclined to say don’t submit it if it’s going to waste the music faculty’s and admission officers’ time…both of those groups of people have LOTS of work to do, and any unnecessary reading for them may make them dislike you. On the other hand, I definitely know that an extremely positive music supplement can (assuming that you’re qualified academically) get you admitted. </p>
<p>But having said that, I’d highly recommend writing essays that showcase your passion for electronic music. Stanford loves people who’re passionate about what they do. </p>
<p>Regarding your file–this contains your Common Application, teacher and counselor reports, Stanford Supplement, transcript, interview report, music supplement report (if you submit one), and admission officers’ comment cards. All 38,828 files (last year’s pool size) are read by a full-time admission officer. That officer eliminate the ones who are clearly incapable of doing the work at Stanford (about 20% of the pool). The remaining 80% go on to second and third readers. All readers comment at length about every portion of your application. Your regional admission officer will then present your application as well as the comments made by all the readers to the entire admission committee. They’ll discuss you for up to an hour. Then they’ll take a simple vote. Majority is needed for admission. </p>
<p>This is how it works at almost all the highly selective universities (HYPSM), though there are some small differences. You seem a bit surprised by the fact that they actually read all of them…well, they care very deeply about their classes, and they also have deep respect for everyone who applies. As Harvard’s Dean of Admission says, “The process is meant to be deliberate, meticulous, and fair.”</p>