What would you guys do??

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Ok i'm really torn right now. My number one choice is either stanford, MIT, or harvard, but with admissions to top tier schools so competitive right now, I'm not sure if I have a chance. Columbia is up there on my list as well, maybe 4th or 5th. But, the high acceptance rate of it's ED program is really tempting. My plan was to go EA Chicago and MIT, and ED Columbia. But recently, I've been wondering whether i just forget about columbia ED, and just go for my dream schools RD. Obviously this method is riskier given the nature of acceptances to schools like HYPSM. My quick stats are</p>

<p>asian from nj (know this will hurt)
small school that sends maybe 1 ivy a year
2310
229
800/770/760
ranked 2/150
Main EC is running, I have respectable times, just short of DI caliber. Talking with the MIT coach and I seem like a good fit there
Cornell IT paid Internship, will have rec from the CMIO
Tutoring and Hospital volunteering adds to around 200hrs
AMC - 109 AIME - 3</p>

<p>So what would you do in my situation. Take it safe and go Columbia ED or just go for my dream schools? I would just pray for one acceptance from HYPSM, but obviously there's a chance I get rejected from all those.</p>

<p>I'm doing early response at Michigan as well, so if all else fails I guess i still have that or uchicago to fall back on.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help</p>

2

<p>Go with your gut. Which is the school which you would MOST like to attend?</p>

3

<p>Only apply to a university ED if it is your dream school. Applying to a university ED just to "play it safe" is unwise.</p>

4

<p>Agreed. You'll kick yourself if you get into Columbia and never get a chance to apply to Harvard. Admissions is so irrational anyway that it might work in your favor.</p>

<p>If you do Chicago and MIT EA, you can apply freely to your other schools RD. Chicago is the easiest school to get into of all the ones that you've listed, and you look like a strong candidate, especially if you're considering track. Your Jersey and Asian heritage will also not matter at Chicago, a school that's more midwestern and white.</p>

5

<p>ED to SEAS at Columbia or the college? Because you'd probably walk into SEAS and not be able to consider the others.</p>

<p>Contrary to popular belief, you don't HAVE to apply early anywhere.</p>

6

<p>CC....i plan on studying economics</p>