<p>Hi,
I am deciding which college I want to apply to for early decision?
1. My brother went to Columbia, so I know that will boost my chances a little, but Upenn has a higher acceptance rate plus I may or may not try out for their Wharton MBA...so which one would give me a better chance of ED?
2. Should I even apply early decision? I heard it is much more competitive than RD? Or is it not? (UW 3.81,W 4.2, SAT 2150 + EC)
3. Which college has better dorms?
4. Better food?
5. Which one with bigger/prettier campus?
6. What are the parties like in UPenn?
7. What are parties like in Columbia?
Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>Whatever the answers to 3-7, Columbia’s Manhattan location would trump all. But that’s just me. The kinds of questions you’re asking are unlikely to get reliable answers because very few people have personally experienced both schools, and besides they are very subjective. Go visit both schools and judge for yourself.</p>
<p>Manhattan is overrated. And I say this as someone who’s lived here for the last 6 years and attends Columbia (albeit as a graduate student).</p>
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<li><p>Where you want to go to school for your MBA is irrelevant right now, as you could get in from both universities. It’s impossible to tell at which school you have better chances - Penn does have a higher acceptance rate but a combination of personal factors may make Columbia a better fit from you.</p></li>
<li><p>If one of these schools is a CLEAR first choice - as in, you want to attend that one so badly, you’re pretty sure (using NPCs) that the financial aid is going to work out for you (I know that both meet full financial need - but what THEY determine to be full financial need might not be what your family determines is actual full need) - then you should apply ED. It doesn’t seem like that’s true, since you’re trying to decide between the two, so I think you should just apply RD unless something happens between now and September.</p></li>
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<p>The colleges claim that the ED pool is more competitive - that the best prepared and most hooked students apply during the ED pool, and that’s why the acceptance rate is higher. People on CC claim that it’s easier to get in ED and that’s what explains the acceptance rate. I have no idea, but I don’t think the universities have any reason to lie.</p>
<p>3 & 4 - <em>shrug</em></p>
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<li>I’ve been to both campuses and I think UPenn’s is both prettier and bigger. Some of Penn’s is rather urban - buildings scattered across Philly - but there is an enclosed campus area.</li>
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<p>6 & 7. IMO, college parties are college parties. There’s unlikely to be a huge difference between the quality; it’s really just the size and location that changes based on campuses. <em>shrug</em> My only experience with undergrad parties at Columbia was breaking them up, lol. Students here tend to party in their dorm rooms/suites and then go out to various NYC locations later. Or sometimes they just stay in the suite and party all night. Regular drunken shenanigans ensue. Fraternities sometimes throw parties in their houses. Usual college student stuff. But, like I said, my judgment is based on being the one who walks in and says "Hey y’all, keep it down, our neighbors just complained or “Sorry guys, you’re going to have to end it.”</p>
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<p>J, I want my kids to buckle down. Do you hire out your services?</p>
<p>Do you really want to apply ED anywhere, since you do not have a clear first choice?</p>
<p>If you’re interested in undergraduate business, you’d be applying to Wharton undergraduate (not the MBA program). One advantage to Penn over Columbia if you’re interested in business is that it does have an undergraduate business school. Columbia does not (though there are opportunities in business in NY for Columbia graduates).</p>
<p>When you apply to Penn, you would apply to the individual college. Wharton is the most selective college at Penn and its acceptance rate would not be much different than Columbia’s. (The College of Arts and Sciences at Penn would have a higher acceptance rate than Columbia if you’re looking to increase your odds.) If you’re rejected by Wharton, that’s it; you’re not put into consideration for Arts and Sciences.</p>
<p>You likely know all about Columbia from your brother but the perception is that much of the social life takes place in the City rather than on the campus (or its environs). While there is plenty to do in Philadelphia, the city does not overwhelm the campus life to the extent NYC might overwhelm campus life at Columbia.</p>
<p>Penn is going to be more social. These are obnoxious videos and are not representative of Penn or Columbia but here goes:</p>
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<p>Haha, I wish. I think Student Affairs might send me a cease-and-desist letter.</p>
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Like many kids on this forum, she will find a “first choice” Ivy (or maybe that should be IVY) 
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