Trying to decide if I should go for early action or wait for regular decision at Harvard. Any insights on acceptance rates or personal experiences with the process? Would love to hear how others weighed these options, especially regarding stress and preparation.
Choosing between Early Action (EA) and Regular Decision (RD) largely depends on your readiness, dictates of your strategy, and your level of interest in Harvard. If Harvard is your top choice and your application is exceptional and ready by the EA deadline, it may be beneficial for you to apply in the EA round.
Applying EA does boost your chances slightly, even when controlling for profile strength. Data suggests average chances could see an increase of as much as 60%, meaning if your admission odds were initially 4% in the RD round, they could increase to around 6.4% in the EA round. This might seem minimal, but every bit helps when dealing with a highly selective school like Harvard.
However, understanding the pacing of your application process is crucial. If you need time to improve test scores, buff up extracurriculars, or perfect your essays, waiting till Regular Decision might be a good idea to present your strongest application. You must also consider the stress factor – if applying for EA means rushing things and causing stress, it might be better to wait.
Lastly, on the personal experiences front, some applicants feel a sense of relief and reduced pressure after applying early, as they don't have to wonder for months about their fate at their dream college. Others find the quick turnaround for EA stressful, as it requires having application materials prepared much earlier.
This decision is quite personal and will depend on your individual circumstances. Carefully weigh the pros and cons, and decide what's best for you.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.