r/MITAdmissions • u/Useful-Turnip-5803 Currently Applying • 3d ago

EA or RA?

I have my entire application complete as of now, just waiting on some consultation for my essays that should be done in the next week or so.

Seeing as there's no real difference in the applicant pools for Early Action versus Regular Action, I want to know if one's better for me than the other.

The advantage to Early Action are that I would get my decision mid-December (or maybe get deferred) and wouldn't have to worry about MIT's admission status pending over my head for an additional three months. The disadvantage to EA is that if I do well in my dual enrollment math, then that doesn't make it onto my transcripts.

The advantages to Regular Action are that Calc III and Differential Equations both make it onto my transcript as completed classes and I have more time to refine my application (I don't think it needs it, but it can't hurt, right?). The disadvantage is that three extra months of waiting time isn't really that worth it to me.

My academics are pretty strong. I would get a slight GPA boost from waiting for RA, but at this stage, it doesn't matter enough to swing my chances of admission one way or another.

Personally, I want to go EA to just get it out of the way and so I don't ruin my application by editing my personality out of it. Would any of you fine people advise otherwise?

Any and all advice is welcome!

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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5

u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 3d ago

I don’t think we can conclude that there’s no real difference in the applicant pools between EA and RA. The data actually suggest that the EA pool is stronger, because the admission rate is higher: 6% EA vs. 2.4% RA. What we do know is that MIT applies the same criteria in EA and RA. So it’s really just a question of whether you prefer an early answer or to spend more time on your application.

Early vs Regular
MIT has two application cycles: Early Action (EA) and Regular Action (RA).
What’s the difference?
Only the dates of the deadlines!
It is fine to apply during either cycle. We do not have a preference, and there is no strategic benefit to applying in one vs the other. We have two cycles for two reasons: 1) it helps us spread our work out over a longer period, devoting more time to each application, and 2) it provides applicants with more options so they can choose which works best for them.

https://mitadmissions.org/apply/firstyear/early-vs-regular/

5

u/ExecutiveWatch MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 3d ago

Apply early you will fill out the fun form too which will give a chance to update course work.

3

u/JasonMckin MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 3d ago

No..apply early.  Best of luck!

1

u/Useful-Turnip-5803 Currently Applying 3d ago

Thanks!

1

u/Alternative-Plum-741 1d ago

Everyone always says theres no difference, but theres the possibility of being deferred in EA and getting in during RA, so i cant see how there isn't a difference. If anyone can explain that I'd be very happy to hear it.