<p>Hm. I see your point, C2002.</p>
<p>I don't want to give false hope, but I thought I'd offer my perspective as someone who was deferred and ultimately accepted (I'm a sophomore in CC). I never did get an interview, but I sent a letter about why I wanted to attend Columbia, along with an updated list of my extracurriculars and awards, at the beginning of January to boost my application. I also pushed hard through first semester's finals and got a 4.0 in subjects that were difficult for me (calculus, physics, bio), and I know that helped (you'd be surprised how many seniors let their grades drop first semester). I think the prospect of not getting in made me realize how much I wanted to attend Columbia, and I was able to better articulate that the second time around. For the record, two of my best friends here were also deferred early and subsequently accepted, so it does happen (the odds are about the same as RD, I think).</p>
<p>Just wanted to say good luck to everyone who was deferred (and congrats to anyone who was accepted). You'll all ultimately get into great schools that are right for you, I'm sure, but don't take a deferral as a death sentence. It certainly isn't, and my friends and I are proof of that.</p>
<p>One more thing: I also want to say how gratifying it is to be accepted to other universities/colleges in April. While I always knew I would attend Columbia if I got in, I was lucky enough to be accepted at several other great schools, and it definitely raised my confidence after a very time-consuming application process. Finishing those other applications sucks, but getting letters of acceptance feels great. You can take that for what it's worth, I guess. Good luck!</p>
<p>I wasn't officially deferred, as I was a QuestBridge applicant who simply wasn't matched with the school. The problem with QB is that I don't know if it was for financial reasons, as I had to have demonstrated need for the amazing scholarship, or actual problems with my application, but I've committed myself to getting in RD if it kills me. I'm in a really random situation, and I feel like I'm at a bit of a disadvantage to the rest of the deferred applicants. </p>
<p>So really, I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to the original poster. You've given me a lot of confidence regarding my chances for RD, and I really appreciate you taking the time to help us out.</p>
<p>I'm sure you already are, but I would focus a lot on applications to other schools. Sure it sucks to get deferred from a school that you thought you wouldn't to go to, but it's also a chance for you to see how great other schools are.<br>
I was deferred from Columbia two years ago and now I'm so thankful that I was, because I see now how unhappy I would have been there and found a much better school instead. Keep your chin up, it could turn out to be a good thing.</p>