<p>Could someone check out my stats and let me know if they think I should apply early to Columbia or to Yale? I know that Columbia will probably be easier for me to get into because I have strong family connections AND I'm attending the summer program this year, and that plus the fact that Columbia fills 40% of the incoming class with ED apps makes me think I should do ED there. BUT, I feel like I might still maybe sort of possibly have a shot at Yale if I apply ED (which would be like a divine miracle from above). </p>
<p>Yale is SCEA (Single Choice Early Action), meaning that you are not bound to the school if you are accepted unlike Columbia.
If you have any financial concerns (need to compare FA packages) ED may not be a good idea and if you are not sure that you absolutely want to go to Columbia (because it seems obvious that you do like Yale as well) applying ED may not be the right thing for you despite the advantages it offers.</p>
<p>If you really admire Yale, then go for Yale. If you really admire Columbia, then go for Columbia. Either pick the school you most admire or, if there's any uncertainty at all, there's always skipping the Early train and sitting on Regular Decision. You don't want to make a hasty decision you'll regret.</p>
<p>If one of the schools is your top choice, however, and you'd give an arm and a leg to attend, then go for the Early Decision/Action at that particular school.</p>
<p>By the tone of your post .."divine miracle".. it seems you really dream of Yale, so use the EA opportunity to follow that goal. You can always aply RD to Columbia if Y doesn't come through. Now is the time to shoot high, and you have great scores to offer. Good luck!</p>
<p>Family connections are important in regular round too, it's just that they come into play more in ED because more legacy families apply ED-- more ties to the school, and less financial considerations.</p>
<p>I'd say go for Yale. You seem to like it more than Columbia by a lot :)</p>