<p>I'm an absolutely mediocre student with no leadership positions or sports. Got a few B's sophomore year and a 1950 SAT score. I realize I would have no chance at RD, but would applying ED work in my favor? Or is the higher acceptance rate with ED the result of a more competitive applicant pool?</p>
<p>Sorry to be blunt, but if you are indeed “an absolutely mediocre student with no leadership positions or sports” – your self description, not mine – you have little chance ED or RD. On the face of it your academic profile is simply not competitive for Columbia at all, unless there is something spectacular in your high school career that you have not mentioned here. And I assume you haven’t told us everything. Research? ECs? Other interesting intellectual or artistic passions you have pursued?</p>
<p>You should look on the Columbia University website for Columbia’s own description of what it looks for in a successful applicant, both ED and RD, and then make your OWN decision. </p>
<p>If you are indeed “mediocre,” however, you need to lower your sights.</p>