Apply ED or wait for better grades?

<p>If one expected to get better grades their senior year than what was represented on their transcript, should they not apply ED and wait for RD? I think I'll do a lot better next year, but Columbia is my top choice. Should I apply ED or not? My current stats aren't great, so I don't know if it would be advantageous to apply ED or strengthen my grades and apply RD, but with worse chances (based on % admitted).</p>

<p>Does Columbia have an EDII option? If so, the deadline is usually 1/1 and that would give you time to show your fall grades</p>

<p>No, they don't have an EDII option.</p>

<p>Why don't you list your stats so we have a better idea if you're even in the ballpark.</p>

<p>Okay, here are my stats. Like I said before...they aren't good. I already know Columbia is a huge reach.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.65 uw
Class Rank: First Decile (Top 10%)
SAT: 2340 (780M, 760V, 800W)
SAT II: 800 Math IIC, 780 Bio, 770 Chem
State: Michigan
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male</p>

<p>APs (Sophmore Year):
US History - 4
Government - 3</p>

<p>APs (Junior Year):
Chemistry
Bio
Mico
Macro
Calc BC</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule:
AP World History
AP Spanish
AP English
Calculus III/Differential Equations (Semester Classes @ CC)
Advanced Physics
Personal Finance
Independent Study</p>

<p>EC:
Varsity Swimming
Club Swimming
Model UN (Leadership Position)
NHS
Volunteer Work:
-Hospital
-Tutor Underprivileged Kids
-Work with the Elderly
-Work with Disabled Teens
-Tutor in School's Chem Department
-Tutor Middle School Students
-Work at Local Boys & Girls Club</p>

<p>Work as a lifeguard during the summer.</p>

<p>As a starter, your sat's are top notch and will surely get your application into deeper consideration, which is an important step not to be overlooked.</p>

<p>Why the hell are your stats not good?!?!?! thats insulting to people who have stats lower than you. You have a near-perfect SAT, your grades are good, your scores are good, your ECs are reasonable..you'd be a strong ED candidate i dont think you should apply RD you'd have a much better chance ED.</p>

<p>I'm sorry if I came off as cocky...the reason I don't think my chances are good is because my GPA is very low and my EC aren't great. I do realize that my SATs are good, but will they compensate my bad grades enough?</p>

<p>it's ok i know how u feel her0</p>

<p>i'd recommend applying ED anyway. your chances will be better and you WILL have at least a few grades to submit from the first bit of your senior year. and at most they will defer you to see if your grades go up. As in senior year will not bring your GPA up monstrously anyway so apply ED, no biggie</p>

<p>Does anyone else have an opinion?</p>

<p>I am in a similar situation. My grades aren't amazing, so I'm not sure what I should do in terms of ED v. RD.</p>

<p>GPA is by no means the whole picture. Your other stats, including ec's look good and with great recommendations and essay, if Columbia is your first choice, I would apply ED.</p>

<p>GPA is HIGHLY important. Do NOT underestimate it. Colleges do not hesitate to tell you on tours and in info sessions that the transcript is the most important thing they look at--your grades and the courses you took. So by all means, raise your grades senior year...but apply ED and don't be surprised if you're deferred.</p>

<p>Are you applying to FU or CC? What is your class rank?</p>

<p>I am applying to CC. My school does not rank, but provides a decile ranking. As mentioned above, I am in the first decile. Each decile holds approximately 10% of the class of 592 students.</p>

<p>I would still encourage you to apply ED. Your stats are strong and as I said, with a great essay and recommendations, I believe you are in the running. If you are deferred, at least you have another crack at it. My son was accepted after a deferral.</p>

<p>either you are being an a-hole by posting this or you are absolutely neurotic. a 3.6 unweighted GPA is nothing to cry about especially having taken a good number of APs. Your SATs and SAT IIs are almost perfect and you have alot of ECs....I really dont understand why you would be asking a question like this....it is absolutely ridiculous and I think you just wanted some praise from people.</p>