<p>I want to apply to the engineering schools at either Columbia or UPenn for Early Decision. Columbia was my first choice initially - I did a summer program there and really enjoyed it. The location in great as well and it has a pretty great CS program. However, my college counselor has told me to consider applying to Penn early instead. I've visited the campus and I like the atmosphere. My sister went there and she said she thinks I'd really like it there, and the fact that she went there might give me a better chance at getting in. The CS program isn't as great as it is at Columbia, however. Penn is ranked 28th in Computer Science according to US News, and Columbia is ranked 9th overall. </p>
<p>I'm pretty set on computer science, although I'm interested in other fields of engineering as well. I haven't had a lot of experience in computer science - I took a programming class at NYU this summer and I've learned some languages on my own but that's about it. </p>
<p>Also, what do you think my chances are? My SAT score is 2200 and I have a 3.97 cumulative, unweighted GPA. I haven't had a lot of experience is CS though. </p>
<p>Your scores are perfectly fine. I don’t think you’ll be worse off going to Penn for CS than Columbia. The choice is ultimately yours, but you should base your decision off other, more personal factors. </p>
<p>Not sure which US News ranking you’re discussing, but THIS 2014 US News ranking of graduate programs in Computer Science puts Columbia at #15, and Penn at #19:</p>
<p>And the most recent National Research Council (NRC) ranking of doctoral programs in Computer Sciences puts Penn’s S-rank high at #3 and Columbia’s at #6, and Penn’s R-rank high at #7 and Columbia’s at #13:</p>
<p>I realize that these are graduate program rankings, but they’re useful surrogates in the absence of reliable and comprehensive rankings of undergraduate programs in specific fields such as this.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that these two schools are quite comparable in this particular field–and really in general–so the choice between them should be based on personal preference and fit, and not based on specific or overall rankings or academic reputation. They’re both phenomenal schools, and you should choose the one at which you think you’d be most comfortable and would best thrive both academically and socially.</p>
<p>The schools are pretty similar and both are reaches for pretty much everyone. Apply ED to the one YOU want to go to. IMO you never want to get into a school ED and have regrets.</p>
<p>They are both great universities with great engineering schools. Once a college gets to a certain level in rankings, the differences between them is meaningless. Apply ED to the college you feel is right for you</p>
<p>How are your subject test scores? I think you have a chance, but it looks like a bit of a stretch. Gpa is good but 2200 is probably below avg for SEAS at both schools. That is probably okay if subject tests are solid, and your essays are impressive.</p>
<p>You will get a great education at either school, so I would visit both campuses before deciding. They are quite different. </p>