Can’t wait to apply! 
Can anyone please tell me which school is more generous for international students in terms of financial aid? Columbia or Penn?
Hey y’all! I’m planning to apply ED to Columbia and I was curious about their SAT Subject policy- they say they are completely optional and we will not be penalized for not sending them but I just wanted to make sure if it was okay to not send them. I got a 710 in USH and 670 in Math 2 so i’m not super proud of those, especially the Math 2 score. Can anyone let me know if I should send them anyway or just the USH? Thanks!
VeritasFicta I wouldn’t send the Math 2. And while the USH is still above 700, you might do yourself a favor by maybe taking another SAT2 at the next possible time? That takes time and money though, so it’s definitely up to you!
Nicholas Massenburg Thanks for your response! Unfortunately if I retook the USH SAT II, it would be my third attempt. Should I avoid taking it a third time? Also, if I am applying ED then I won’t be able to take the exams again before the app deadline.
VeritasFicta No problem. And to clarify, I meant maybe take another subject if possible. Depends on what subject matter you’re comfortable with testing.
what majors are yall applying as??
Hello! I’m freaking out bc I’m not taking my subject tests until November (the last time you can take them for ED) and on Columbia’s website it states they may not get them before they review my application. Has anybody had experience with this? Also, does CC work on a first come, first serve basis where if I turn in my application on Nov 1st they’ll review it towards the end so my SAT scores could get there?
Most colleges do not review on first come/first serve. It goes through regional admissions officers first and then to committee, I believe.
@icepinky19 probably biological sciences. I’m not sure how much they take that into account, though.
Has anyone started the “Why Columbia” essay? I’ve never visited campus, so I’m finding it rather hard to do! I’ve delved through much of the website and I think I’ll write about the Core Curriculum, but I’m not sure what else.
Does anybody know if Columbia looks at first quarter grades?
@icepinky19 Economics and Japanese! How about you?
They’ll probably look at first quarter grades at some point or another, so you should keep them up. Bad senior year grades could affect your decision or, even worse, get you rescinded if they’re really bad.
Hey guys! Super excited for this thread!! I’m ED’ing as a Middle Eastern studies major. I never took the SAT II’s (I studied abroad for a year in Ghana on a state department scholarship and did not jump aboard the standardized testing train as soon as I should have when I got back…) Is that alright? I know they aren’t required but still, I’m freaking out a little bit.
I visited campus last fall, but I’ll be back in just a few weeks to visit a friend who’s currently an undergrad.
Can’t wait for the middle of December! Regardless of the decision, I’d love to get this nervous energy off my chest
Also, my school only releases student reports by the semester and ours is over in mid January. It’s looking like I’ll get a B, maybe a B+ in the world’s worst physics class, but obviously they wouldn’t be able to see the grade until after they had theoretically accepted me. Would that be bad enough to rescind an offer? I’ve got A’s in my other stuff, including two other science class (Enviro and Anatomy/Physiology) and I’m not even remotely going into the sciences.
@katewithak No, only grades like Cs and Ds are rescind-worthy
Hello all, applying ED to Columbia this fall. Decided to finally make an account on CollegeConfidential, since I’m always lurking around. Applying to SEAS for Computer Science major.
Good luck everyone!
hey guys! just made this account, but i’m definitely applying ED to the college with political science major! good luck
How are you all faring on the “Why Columbia” essay? It’s rather difficult to not go into writing about research universities in general!