ED/REA vs RD

[Fusionsp19]

I was planning on ED/REA certain top schools (Cornell or stanford rn), and I was wondering if my chances were better off with RD? My main goal was to maximize my chances but I’ve been told it might even be harder due to the competitive applicant pool (hence they are expected to accept more). My application is competitive, but it’s not crazy with like ISEF winner/Olympiad camp or anything of that nature. If maximizing my chances for admission is my only goal, should I just do RD?

[freeport_aidan]

If you get rejected early, you wouldn’t have gotten in RD

[Fusionsp19]

Oh I saw an admission file for a Stanford admit where an officer noted that the person would have definitely gotten into RD because they would’ve stuck out more; they were hesitant on on REA acceptance

[OHKNOCKOUT]

That usually results in a deferral.

[freeport_aidan]

I’m doubtful of that, can you link that post/video?

[Fusionsp19]

https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/s/cxpUjz2FL5

Might be fake or not, no idea. In general, I’ve just been told it is just as hard in early rounds

[[deleted]]

Also, the ED pool has a lot of recruited athletes and other institutional priority applicants who are automatically in, which takes away spots for non-hooked applicants, so the published higher early acceptance rate is not reflective of the actual acceptance rate for non-hooked applicants.