<p>is there a greater change to get accepted through early decision? is it for people whose applications might not be as strong as others?</p>
<p>In the past, there was a greater chance of being accepted ED; however, I believe this past year they reduced the number of EDs they have typically accepted. If you're sure you really want Columbia, I would recommend you apply ED because even if you're not accepted right away, if you are deferred, you have another shot to make your case by sending in supplemental materials as well as showing your continued interest in attending.</p>
<p>would you say its harder to get into cc or seas? cause im thinking either computer science or computer engineering.</p>
<p>but ED is a huge commitment which I, unfortunately, wans't completely clear of when I checked off the box on the app. I'd say to keep the stats of getting in ED/RD and all the perks of ED in the back of your head and consider the harsh points like financial aid, obligation to withdraw all other apps after being accepted, etc. ED binds you and it's really hard to get accepted to a good school if you end up having to reject an ED acceptance for any reason.</p>
<p>If I apply to Columbia ED (which I'm definitely doing, just need to finish my Why Columbia essay), and they accept me but don't give me any/enough financial aid, I know that I could get out of the ED because of the financial aid, I think, but am I then limited as to what schools I apply to RD (as in I might only be allowed to apply to state schools, and not to other colleges that would give me almost full scholarships, like maybe Colgate or someplace else)?
Sorry if the wording on this is horrible, but I'm a math person, not grammer.</p>
<p>metsfan: I've heard trying to get out of an ED contract even with the finaid gambit is tricky work and you have to prove it pretty formally. With the deadlines for apps and everything, it's a really risky gamble if you aren't sure you'll be able to pay for most of the cost.</p>
<p>But even if you do get out, colleges seem to unite against you so that if you shrug off an ED acceptance, it's a lot harder to get into any decent school. I've heard a couple horror stories of those who had to get out of ED having to go to pretty bad state schools when they should've been able to get into much better ones.</p>
<p>I decided to roll the dice and after thinking about it more, I'm content with my decision. I really do want to go to Columbia and it's my top choice. I just hope they won't stick me with student loans for the rest of my life as a reward for getting in.</p>
<p>Yeah, that's sort of what I've heard also. I guess that your situation is similar to mine, and hopefully we'll both get in and Columbia will give us both millions and millions of dollars in financial aid and stipends. If not, I guess there's always organ donation. I'm pretty sure I've heard that the liver grows back, so maybe I could sell part of mine for a few thousand dollars to help pay for Columbia. Just kidding, but it truly is insane how the colleges claim to be need-blind and really pretty much aren't. Good luck.</p>
<p>Liver, no. But at 17, you'd probably be able to get a pretty good price for a kidney.</p>
<p>xD I'm kidding, of course.</p>
<p>(It'd probably only be a couple hundred dollars-maybe a credit.)</p>