Chances for ED? Do I have a chance worth applying?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>So I'm your typical soulless asian applicant without the asian accomplishments :/
Here are my stats:
SAT: 2220 (one sitting) Math: 800 CR: 750 Writing: 670 ( 8 on essay...)
<em>planning on retaking in october, currently scoring 2300+ on practice tests
SAT 2s: USH: 800 Math 2: 720
*</em>planning on retaking Math 2 and taking Lit in November
AP: APUSH: 5 APGOV:5 APCALCAB: 5 APES: 4 APLAC: 4
GPA: ( not definate but approximation) 3.8 UW/ 4.36 W
**Upward GPA trend!! 2 B+s and 1 B in Freshman year, 4 B+s in Sophomore year ... but STRAIGHT As in Junior year
Took all honors classes and 1 AP sophomore year and 4 in junior year
Rank: top 2% 7 out of 300+ kids </p>

<p>EC:
Secretary of FBLA- sophomore year
Community Service VP- junior year (raised $2000 for March of Dimes)
Features Editor for newspaper club- junior year
President of NJ Youth ( founded human rights/ community service club junior year)
JV Tennis- Freshman and Sophomore year</p>

<p>Community service:
Volunteer at local Salvation army and in charge of reading program for lower-income kids </p>

<p>Awards
Second Place in school writing competition for human rights piece- sophomore year
Third place in science league- freshman year
AP Scholar</p>

<p>****Obviously, my stats are not spectacular, and I'm highly unlikely to get into top schools because of my lackluster academic/ extracurricular performance so far. But in truth, I feel that I have matured throughout high school, and through my experience working with lower-income kids and trying to teach them to enjoy education and learn I have learned myself the value of education--it is not just another "mandatory" qualification for success and a source of pride, it is the chance to improve oneself to become much greater. (sounds really corny but I REALLY feel this way ;x) </p>

<p>So do you guys think I have any chance if I apply ED? I don't think I have a chance, so I'm hesitant to fill out my applications.. If you don't feel like I have a chance at Columbia ED, what other schools do you think I have a chance at for ED? Cornell? Northwestern? NYU Stern? UPenn?</p>

2

<p>Bummppppppppp</p>

3

<p>You are probably a reach, but your ECs aren’t really spectacular, and neither are your test scores. Still, ED is non-binding if I recall, so you should definitely try.</p>

4

<p>No, ED is binding, if the financial aid is good enough.</p>

<p>You seem like an average applicant: work very hard on your essays. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>bumppppppppppppp</p>

6

<p>Columbia is a reach to high reach. With good essays, the ED bump, and a bit of luck, you should be fine.</p>

7

<p>do you think my Early Decision would be better used for a school I have a better chance at? Like Cornell, Northwestern, or UPENN?</p>

8

<p>Not the answer you’re probably looking for, but the concept of Early Decision relies on the fact that you couldn’t bring yourself to apply Early Decision anywhere else, because you like Columbia itself too much. That being said, UPenn and Cornell would certainly be more likely for you, and I’d say Cornell would be a waste. I’d recommend shooting for Columbia.</p>

9

<p>I understand your point, and Columbia is my dream school…but I would like to apply a school I have a decent chance at. Do you think I have a chance at Columbia, or would I be better off applying to UPenn or Cornell? Why do you think Cornell ED is a waste?</p>

10

<p>I think 5lbsofpotatoes is referring to the waste of the ED bump if you apply to cornell and that is why its a waste, because you’d likely get in without the boost ED gives you. Basically he’s saying you shouldn’t ED to cornell because you’d probably get in RD and should instead use your ED for a higher reach school</p>

11

<p>okay… so how are my chances for ED at columbia or UPenn? What is more likely with my stats? My dream school is Columbia… but I obviously want to apply to a school I can get into lol :x</p>

12

<p>You can get into both, so ED the one you like better, Columbia.</p>