<p>@HateSMUS
The benefit for unrestrictive EA usually is a higher admit rate (which will probably still be true this year; EA rates for UChicago have already been posted). Also, I see a high deferral rate as a positive, since it gives you time to improve your app. However, UChicago might use deferrals as soft rejections. Some schools really do look at deferred apps with no bias; UofC might not.</p>