Is it normal if I feel comfortable with regular decision?

I've been thinking a lot about my application strategy, and regular decision seems less stressful because I have more time, but is it seen as less strategic or smart to not apply early?

Absolutely, it's quite normal to feel more comfortable with regular decision! Applying early comes with its own set of needs and pressures. With regular decision, you have more time to refine your applications, and perhaps even expand the list of schools you're applying to.

While it's true that institutions might have higher acceptance rates during early rounds, it's important to remember that these figures can sometimes be a bit misleading. The early applicant pool often has a high concentration of extremely strong applicants, including recruited athletes and legacies who have advantages in the application process.

The most strategic choice is the one that allows you to submit the best application possible. If you're sure about your first choice school and can submit a strong application early, that's great. However, if you need more time, applying via regular decision gives you that. Many successful students have been accepted into amazing schools during the regular decision rounds.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy in the college application process. You've done well to consider your personal circumstances and feelings, and this will likely guide you to the best decision for you. So keep going!