<p>Should I apply Early Decision? I know the acceptance rate is higher, but so is the caliber of the applicants I would assume. Any advice? Anyone get deferred ED and accepted RD? Thanks!</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>If Columbia is 100% your first choice, you are completely prepared by the ED deadline (happy with your SAT I and IIs, your application wouldn’t really change in those few months), and you’ve talked over the cost analysis with your guardians, then go for it. ED tends to get more athletes and legacies, and like you pointed out more prepared students. There’s not a whole lot you have to lose if all the above conditions are met, and you’ll know sooner. But beyond that, theres no “huge” advantage to applying ED, unless Columbia pulls a Harvard next year and admits ~40% of their student body through ED to drive down admittance rates in RD, but that’s doubtful. </p>