<p>I've heard alot of conflicting viewpoints on this topic, and I was just trying to get some different opinions. You see, my first choice school (like some 2500 other people -_-) is Columbia. I'm applying ED and my transcript is pretty good however a friend of mine is also applying (not ED though). This wouldn't be so much of an issue if we had similar grades, but this friend of mine is most likely going to end up being Valedictorian. </p>
<p>Columbia, like many Ivies has a history of only taking the top kid from our school. Although I'm in the top 10% I'm really wondering if her applying will screw my chances. I talked to my counselor about it and she said that she doesn't think colleges compare applications, and since we're studying completely different things (I'm studying Theater & Psychology and she wants to study Econ. and Philosophy) and our racial difference (she's polish/british and I'm black) this is a special situation. Other people have told me that they do compare apps and that I should prepare for rejection.</p>
<p>I have a similar situation. My highschool is traditionally overlooked by Ivys in the application process, only the rare student ever breaking through to Harvard. I feel like I’m a fairly strong candidate there, but I learned that they are recruiting an athlete from my school. A part of me thinks that totally shuts the door in my face, but I want to believe that maybe its additional time spent looking at my school and if I meet the same standard of an accepted student.</p>
<p>It’s really annoying to work so hard and to be shut out because of another student. I’m not really sure about the athletics thing… but my situation is really annoying because my friend’s first choice isn’t even Columbia, in fact it isn’t even her second choice. She wants to go to school in the UK :/</p>
<p>But yeah, if your application is strong enough then I’m guessing that the athlete won’t affect. Also, is it confirmed that they are recruiting the athlete or is it a rumor?</p>
<p>I’d actually say that you have a better shot than your friend does. You are applying ED–which gives you a boost in admissions, and then on top of that, you are black. My GC was telling me today about a recent study that “proved” that checking “black” vs. “white” on your application at is like adding 200 points to your SAT score. (I’m assuming your friend will check the “caucasian” box on her application.) As long as you have scores and grades that are within or even close to the middle 50% range at Columbia, you have a great shot. </p>
<p>Good luck! Write good essays and I think you stand a fighting chance!</p>
<p>Hey! That makes me feel a bit better ^^I think my friend is planning on checking the “other” box or not responding to the heritage question because she believes that taking race into account is wrong It’s kind of pointless though because she’s going to include a picture and her + her parent’s birthplaces haha</p>
<p>In a perfect world I would get accepted ED before they even see her application, but we shall see…</p>
<p>Funny you ask this, I was just listening to a talk by the director of Stanford Admissions that you can download on Itunes U. He said that they do compare students from the same HS against each other figuring that they’ve had the same opportunities to take classes, sports, ECs, etc.</p>
<p>mikemac, that kind of sucks. I’m applying Stanford REA this fall, but so is a girl from my school who has a legacy and is being recruited for Stanford’s synch swim team. STanford takes 2-3 students a year from my high school, and probably only one or so early. I feel like Im kind of screwed</p>
<p>and i’ve read in some admission books (Michele Hernandez’, although that’s really out of date) that students from the same school are not compared at all (at least in Ivies). they’re said to be compared first to the standard of their region, then to the standard of the entire country.</p>
<p>I believe that ED applications may be reviewed separately from RD applications because decisions need to be made so much sooner. If this is indeed the case, your application would be reviewed and acted upon before your friend’s application is considered.</p>
<p>I hope that is the case. I’ve looked on Columbia’s website for any hints and it doesn’t really say whether or not they compare apps. I’m just going on hearsay and the fact that they’ve only ever taken the top kid (or near the top) from my school each year. Hopefully since I’m applying ED I’ll be looked at as an individual. We’ll see…</p>
It’s kind of pointless though because she’s going to include a picture and her + her parent’s birthplaces haha</p>