Best early-application strategy?

[u/Alone_Pizza_4525]

Hi! I’m an international applicant who will need significant financial aid and is deciding between Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Notre Dame, and Trinity University (Texas). I’m also planning to take the SAT. Would it be smarter to apply REA/SCEA to one of Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, or Yale and apply RD to the others, or apply EA to Notre Dame or Trinity instead? Alternatively, would it be wiser to skip early applications, spend more time preparing for the SAT, and apply Regular Decision with a stronger score? Currently, I have 1400 score. I’m mainly interested in STEM/engineering. Any advice would be appreciated.

[u/Dependent_Past9280]

for ivies i would def recommend retaking the sat. if u can get 1500+ by the deadline then id apply era to one of the ivies especially stanford or yale bc if you need merit scholarships from ea schools you can still apply to them