Cornell or Columbia?

<p>I'm thinking of applying ED to one of these two schools. I've visited both of them, and honestly speaking I liked Columbia better than Cornell because of its location, although I liked Cornell a lot too.</p>

<p>Now I'm deciding between which school to apply to. I want to apply to Columbia, but it's harder to get in and I don't know if I want to risk my chance of getting into an Ivy League school (I think applying to Cornell early gives me better chance)</p>

<p>Any advice? And if anyone's actually going to one of these schools, what's some convincing points for me to apply or not to apply to one of these schools?</p>

<p>Don't apply ED to a school unless it is absolutely your first choice</p>

<p>Depends on your stats...</p>

<p>Apply to Cornell ED if you think you've got a shot.</p>

<p>If you doubt you'll get into Columbia, then ED probably won't help much. ED only helps if your stats are already in range.</p>

<p>Never use admissions stats to guide your decision; it could backfire. These schools are so different in so many ways that it should not be too difficult to imagine where you will feel more comfortable.</p>

<p>My stats are:</p>

<p>SAT Verbal 630, Math 790 Writing 670. My English scores are not strong at all, although English is not my first language. (I don't know how much that will count though) I will be retaking the test, and I hope I will get better scores.</p>

<p>Two 800 on SAT II. Lowest is 740.</p>

<p>Lived in other 2 countries, know Chinese and Japanese. Lived in the U.S. for 4 years.</p>

<p>Not many AP classes; I've only taken 3. Got 5 on all 3 of them. Also, I haven't taken as many honors classes as my school has to offer. (All my friends have taken like 15.) I've only taken 5 in fact. But I'm taking more next year, with 4 AP classes and 1 honor.</p>

<p>3 A+ in Junior year, one in AP chem, one in Hon pre-cal, and one in Lv1 French 1 (just starting French). School is public, but pretty competitive in the area. Each year, about 5 to 10 out of 400 students get into Harvard.</p>

<p>Some community service, but not much leadership. No sports, no music. I'm in NHS.</p>

<p>Not very good at writing... I should probably start my essays...</p>

<p>These stats are horrible... -_-; Are these stats possible for the Ivy League?</p>

<p>No they're not...overall GPA would be helpful. I think you stand a chance at Columbia, but that your ED would be better spent at Cornell if you like both schools. Personally, unless you raise your SAT scores, I think Columbia will be a bit of a stretch.</p>

<p>Oh, my GPA is 3.98 unweighted and 4.45 weighted.</p>

<p>yeah that's pretty amazing...I guess do ED at the one you like more.</p>

<p>With those kinda stats, I think you'll probably get into Cornell RD. But I'd suggest retaking the SAT one more time.</p>

<p>While your stats are definitely in range, your EC's are not - relatively speaking. None of your EC's spark in my opinion. Personally, I would apply Cornell ED. What do you plan to study? In many areas, Cornell > Columbia.</p>

<p>I'm thinking of studying Chemistry or double major that with biology. If not, I'm thinking of going to the sciences or engineering. Also, I may study art or archtecture.</p>

<p>I really liked Cornell, the only part that I didn't like was the location. it was very isolated for me, and I'm afraid of getting lost among all those people...</p>

<p>I'll update my EC just to make it more clear!</p>

<p>Edit: ahh can't update, oh well I'll post here:</p>

<p>2 years of TA at local Chinese school (including award for good service; going into my 3rd year)
hospital aid and office aid at an hospital (2 years; including award for good service)
Volunteer at Children's summer program (only this summer for a week)
4 years of Culture Club, going to be secretary in September
NHS - booksale, peer tutoring
Math team, Amnesty international
Certificate of Honor (?) on the National French Contest... one place from getting the bronze metal............... -_-
National Honor Roll
PSAT high scorer
Who's who among high school students; Who's who's scholarship semi-finalist
The national society of high school scholars (or something)
into arts, drawings were shown in BC, local art society, and Japanese newspaper (although all of those drawings were never given back to me and I can't make a portfolio out of them.........) drawing was used as cover of Student Directory
Work experience: babysitting, tutoring (not much though)</p>

<p>I used to play the flute and French horn, but I was never in the band or anything... so I guess I can't really put that onto my resume... >.<;;;...</p>

<p>Ahh! So many decisions...</p>