<p>Just wondering, how much of the admissions process for Columbia is luck? I mean, i feel like there are so many applicants that have good test scores, grades etc, so when does luck come into play?</p>
<p>Luck only comes into play when comparing your application to that of everyone else's. If you're talking about actually being accepted, excluding the competition factor, there is little to no luck in any admissions process. you deserve to be accepted. however, we all know competition is quite a large factor, but that's where luck comes in.</p>
<p>no no no, there's no "luck". There's subjectivity but no random chance. It's not like the admissions office says ok here's the 300 marginal applications, let's put them in a box and pick the hundred we take. They will always have a reason for choosing x or choosing x over y. It's just impossible to put a formula to it, but it's important not to confuse subjectivity/ personal judgment with luck or mere chance.</p>
<p>To answer what should be your question: The admission decisions are very subjective, there is close to nothing you can do that will guarantee admission.</p>