If I have to accept admission as soon as I am accepted, my parents will most likely not let me go due to financial reasons. I will most likely get a reasonable amount of financial aid but not enough to actually go unless I get outside scholarships. If I was able to wait a few months, then I would know what scholarships I am getting and be able to see if Columbia is a realistic price.
Hey! If you apply early decision, you are automatically committed to attend Columbia. If you then get accepted, the decision is binding, and unless you contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your financial aid package, you are unable to back out of the commitment.
“If I was able to wait a few months, then I would know what scholarships I am getting and be able to see if Columbia is a realistic price”
nope, no can do.
IF Columbia is NOT affordable, based on its NPC projections, then it is NOT a place to apply
ED.
Please read the ED agreement carefully. An ED application is a commitment to attend if accepted as long as it is affordable. If you get in ED you need to send in a deposit and withdraw other applications. If you want to wait and see what scholarships you get elsewhere then I recommend that you do not apply to Columbia ED.
You can’t wait around for scholarships. If the NPC calculation of need based aid and scholarships you have in hand when you put in your app don’t add up to paying for a school, then don’t apply ED.
Even if you have outside scholarships, they can’t be applied to reduce the expected parent contribution at Columbia.
https://cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu/content/outside-scholarships
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Closing thread; the definitive answer has been given.