columbia ed or not? Forum

[pdiddy89]

i have a 173 and a 3.78 from uchicago. is it worth applying ed to columbia, and foregoing chances at hys, to increase my odds at columbia?

[chanchito]

would you be very happy at Columbia, or always wish you had seen your chances at HYS?

[spiffypyro]

FWIW, I was accepted to Columbia RD with almost those exact same stats. Feel free to look at my LSN page (linked in profile) if you want to see how the rest of my cycle is going.

[pdiddy89]

does anyone have a good idea of how much you increase your odds by applying early?

[pdiddy89]

bump

[CoaltoNewCastle]

I wouldn't apply early decision. You should be able to get into Columbia. And Chicago is one of the few schools where you may actually get a slight boost to your GPA when HYS are considering you. You also hurt your chances of bargaining money out of Columbia if you apply early decision. You also may be offered a great scholarship from another T14. I strongly recommend against applying ED.

[D. H2Oman]

I wouldn't apply early decision. You should be able to get into Columbia. And Chicago is one of the few schools where you may actually get a slight boost to your GPA when HYS are considering you. You also hurt your chances of bargaining money out of Columbia if you apply early decision. You also may be offered a great scholarship from another T14. I strongly recommend against applying ED.

This. UChicago will help you. Your odds at CLS RD are good, and you have a reasonable shot at HYS. I'm convinced undergrad matters quite a bit for the T6. (and virtually not at all once you get out of the T13)

[pdiddy89]

any more feedback?

[taylor]

admission is never guaranteed. if columbia is your dream school, then apply early. however, if you would regret not giving hys or a scholarship a shot, then apply regular.

[M51]

admission is never guaranteed. if columbia is your dream school, then apply early. however, if you would regret not giving hys or a scholarship a shot, then apply regular.

This is it.

Never ED anywhere unless you're 100% sure you'd take that school w/o $ over any other offers you may even have a shot at (including HS, more $ at Chi/NYU/Berkeley, etc).

But, if you ARE 100%, then obviously ED. The $ is almost never important when you're at the T6 level. LRAP = Free Ride for EVERYONE (if public interest), otherwise, that 160k+bonus salary will have you nice and comfy regardless of which school gives you 10-30k more.


edit: for the record, your use of the words "forgoing chances at Harvard" suggests you are not ready for ED, even though ED will boost your chances slightly.