<p>I know that no matter what anyone says to comfort you, you won't feel any better. I was deferred myself and never got into my first choice school even during RD. I'm just gonna make a few observations and say a couple of words on what I think of early admission. I'm not trying to comfort you make you feel bad, but knowing these things might make your RD apps go smoother.</p>
<p>First off, I'm sure it must be a huge blow to your self-eestem to be rejected from your first choice school. But keep in mind that almost everyone who doesn't get accepted is rejected not because they're unqualified. Each school seeks a well-rounded CLASS, not well-rounded individuals. the only way to create a well-rounded class is to seek the best in every field and in various fields. 99% of the time, people are not admitted because there are too many like they are. So maybe there were just too many applicants who had the same strength as you do at Columbia. It'd be different at another school. It's NO judgement on your character, ability, etc.. maybe the stupid counselor was too lazy and didn't know you well enough, effed up the reports, did a bad rec, etc.. </p>
<p>Colleges want to know you as a person with soul, not a walking score board with 2400s and 800s. that'd be a pretty pointless class. so make sure your essays, recs, and application show as much about you as a person as possible. talk about that summer experience you had, talked about your childhood a bit, talk about your family, background, hobbies.. everything OTHER than numbers is what they're looking for in the application that YOU write. CB sents the score, your GC sents the transcript, but you're the artist. A lot of people who don't get in because they didn't do well on their app... </p>
<p>Also, I have to say that college admission is a two way street. You pick the colleges you're interested in, and the college picks the people whom they think will benefit the most from the resource of the college. Columbia probably isn't the right place for you. However, every school is different, maybe you just haven't found your perfect match. I have to confess that I feel A LOT happier where I am now, and had I gotten in early, i would have regret applying early. </p>
<p>My roommate got into all 15 schools he applied to. And i have to say that he is not the most amazing student i know. However, he has a very unique background and shows his personality in his app. His sats are avg. he got likely from Yale, dartmouth, cornell, princeton, and a bunch of other schools i don't remember... take it easy. college admission might be a big deal in the short run, but after a few months, you'll realize how little this will affect your life. </p>
<p>gl on your RD apps... do the app keeping this in mind: what makes YOU a unique member for the class of '10 and show that in the app!</p>