Hello everyone! I'm considering applying early action to Yale, but I'm not 100% sure yet. Anyone has any insight into how competitive it is compared to regular decision? Like what are the pros and cons? Would really appreciate any help!
Applying Early Action (EA) can provide a slight advantage due to the commitment it shows to the school. On average, the EA acceptance rate tends to be higher; keep in mind, though, that the EA applicant pool often also includes highly qualified candidates.
The main pro is that it may increase your chances of admission. The EA boost on average results in a 1.6x or a 60% increase in your chances of admission to highly selective schools. So if your chances were 4% before, for instance, choosing to apply early bumps them up to about 6.4%. Still, this varies a lot by school, and the boost isn't as pronounced at less selective institutions.
On the subject of cons, the biggest one is that you'll have less time to polish your application since the deadlines are earlier. And, if you're deferred in EA, you might have a tough time getting your application together for other colleges.
In terms of competitiveness, while the acceptance rate can be higher for EA, the applicant pool can be more competitive as many highly motivated students will apply in this round.
Remember to make certain you are ready to commit, and that your application is as strong as it can be for this EA round. It's important to understand that your chances are further enhanced by your academic profile, essays and extracurricular activities, regardless of when you apply. Good luck!
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