To those with "chances" threads

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>As a class of '10 ED prospie, I feel the nervousness you feel. The need to hear those positive words ("good shot!"). But, remember, these responses to chances posts mean nearly nothing. I don't think any of us are on the Columbia adcom, so we can't give you a clear idea of if you're going to get in or not. Heck, if you check last year's ED results, it would have drove a chances-poster insane. But I think we all need to know that our chances of getting in are significantly better if we apply, than if we don't. </p>

<p>So, cheers fellow prospies! But let's not stress out even more with these "what are my chances?" threads! Let's live it up like seniors should!</p>

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<p>what I would give for your carefree attitude. (I mean that as a compliment)</p>

<p>I wish I could "live it up" as a senior but I'm not feeling the happy-go-lucky-this-is-the-easiet/funnest-year-of-high-school so called senior vibe. Ack. Too much pressure.</p>

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<p>Just don't let the pressure get to you. My schedule this year is harder than what I had last year, plus these apps, but I know when I can't work and have to chill out. Like on Fridays, a couple of friends and I get together and play a pick up game of football, poker, some board games, video games, and then have a late night/early morning (1 am? 2 am?) run to Denny's.</p>

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<p>Wouldn't it be awsome if College Confidential hired one of the Columbia admissions people to come on this site and evaluate all of the chances threads? Like that would ever happen. On a lighter note, they seem to have more Denny's in California than in New York, where I am. The phillycheasesteaks from there are the best, better than ones of had from Philadelphia.</p>

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<p>The pressure's just extremely bad this first couple of months, what with early apps due in what...2 weeks? and studying for SAT IIs (huge pressure from that for me, I NEED to get good scores) on top of oversaturated AP schedule and ECs and all that stuff.</p>

<p>Is it just me or do colleges overall seem to demand more and more from prospective students every year. Not only do you need a heavy schedule, you also need a variety of ECs and test scores and stuff. Is this slope ever going to lighten up?</p>

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<p>That's been true at elite schools for many years, although the trend in application counts has been up, which tends to raise the bar a bit each year.</p>

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<p>It wouldn't do any good to have an adcom come on here and "evaluate" you. The decisions are made by committee, there's a ton of chance/luck/randomness in the process, you're being compared to the other applicants from your school and region, etc. Someone who is familiar with the Columbia admissions process wouldn't predict your chances any worse than an adcom would.</p>

8

<p>I mean, just because the bar is raised every year doesn't mean you should stress yourself out to the point of exhaustion. Being a self-proclaimed "perfectionist" and not putting an immense amount of pressure on yourself to meet some "standard." What I mean is, do your absolute best, and things will take shape. We all really want to get into Columbia, but seriously, not all of us will be accepted. Does that mean our accomplishments have been trivialized? No. It just means that we may not have been a proper fit at Columbia. But, there are so many schools to attend, and there will be at least one you apply to that would love to have you. And who knows, maybe you'll love to be there too. </p>

<p>So what am I trying to say? Always put your best foot forward, but don't create impossible standards to live up to. Be yourself, strive to be the best, but never forget that you are a person, and you deserve a break.</p>