<p>I agree with everything Orange says but this:
Group 1 certainly is better, since it’s tantamount to acceptance. Group 2 is also far better than normal RD, since members of Group 2 (probably the largest of the deferred groups) have passed at least a couple screens that will winnow down the RD pool considerably). Group 3, of course, is worse than RD, since they are certain NOT to be accepted. </p>
<p>The thing is, however, that it’s impossible to tell Group 2 from Group 3, and it’s nearly impossible to tell Group 1 from Group 2. (And remember, on Orange’s analysis, both Group 1 and Group 3 have lots of legacies.) So, on average, the deferred SCEA applicants get results that look a whole lot like the average RD applicant. Maybe a little better, but only a little.</p>