<p>if the same student were to apply to columbia ED or RD, through which one would he be mostly likely to get in? i'm wondering because the ED applicant pool is rumored to be much stronger, so does the higher admission rate really signify a better chance?</p>
<p>thanks a lot</p>
<p>its a toss-up, but if columbia is your top choice, apply ED. If the applicant pool is very competative but they think you'd stand a chance in RD, then you'd just be deferred.</p>
<p>Among the other qualities Columbia is looking for, adcoms want to see a real the desire to attend Columbia. The advantage ED candidates have over RDers is that, by choosing ED, they are telling the adcoms that they really, really want to go to Columbia, and that it isn't just one of out ten colleges on a list. The applicant pool is competitive in both rounds, so if you're sure you want to go to Columbia, apply ED. The willingness to commit might be that extra bump that an applicant needs to be accepted.</p>
<p>thank you both, i guess all that matters is how much you want to go to columbia</p>