lauren44

Hi guys,
I am considering applying ED to Columbia this fall. It is absolutely my number one choice, and it has been for the past 3 or 4 years. I love everything about it, and there is no question in my mind that if I got in, whether RD or ED, I would attend. My question is this: would straight As first semester senior year give more of a boost than early decision? My second semester junior year grades were the worst I've ever gotten (2 B's). If I could get straight As this coming semester (4 AP classes, 2 honors), how much would that help? I know there's not an exact science to the admissions process but if anyone could share any insight I'd greatly appreciate it

lauren44

Also, my grades dropped largely due to a (very personal) family crisis that has been ongoing throughout the semester. Is it worth a letter to explain the 2 B's? Keep in mind I would probably write it myself as I'm not comfortable sharing the issue with my counselor.

swingtime

Lauren, if there has been a grade drop that has DRAMATICALLY lowered the GPA, my gut says you might be better off applying RD and using Fall semester to REALLY bring the grades back up.

However, this is JUST two Bs!!! That doesn't sound like a huge disaster to me. What is your GPA with this grade drop? What is your current class rank with this grade drop? If your GPA and class rank are not dramatically affected by the two Bs, I am not sure applying RD is necessary, because, as you have said, Columbia is your CLEAR first choice and has been for years. Please post your current GPA and class rank.

Applying ED while also appending some kind of explanatory letter is certainly NOT a wise decision. First of all, you should NOT be appending any kind of extra letter to "explain." Applicants DO get admitted with Bs and trying to "explain" Bs seems excessive to me. Really excessive.

Remember, your transcript is not the only component of the application. If the rest of the application is outstanding, I don't think two Bs will kill you ED. After all, Columbia's admissions process is holistic, and GPA is one component. There is something to be said for alerting your serious interest in Columbia by applying ED, because it IS your first choice. Too many kids psyche themselves out by assuming that EVERYTHING in the application must be perfect. Clearly not true. Many applicants with perfect stats get rejected from Columbia and other top schools all the time. Therefore, this is the time for you to think about ALL the components of your application and weigh its strength as a total entity.

Now is the time for you to start thinking independently about your whole application and making the hard decision. We cannot do it for you. What I will say is this: if the rest of the application is really super, two Bs will absolutely NOT kill you in the ED round. If the rest of the application isn't super at this point (Bs aside), then maybe you need the grade boost that will help you RD.

If you REALLY want Columbia, it would seem to me that you should be able to put together a truly competitive package that in its total stength will make two Bs less relevant than you think they are.

Let's see what others say. But what does YOUR GUT tell you? If you have not really damaged your GPA or class standing, my sense is that you should risk ED because you are signalling Columbia that it is your first choice. As I say, if the GPA and rank are not trashed by two Bs (and why would they be), you should probably still go ED.

The real point is your longtime commitment to Columbia as a first choice. Trying to "game" the application process is ludicrous to me. Therefore, I would think that still applying ED would be to your advantage UNLESS your GPA and rank are DRAMATICALLY lowered by the mere two Bs. If they are not DRAMATICALLY affected by the two Bs, submit a great application ED with NO -- I repeat -- NO explanation.

lauren44

Thanks, swingtime! That's just the type of response I was looking for. I don't want to make this a 'chance me' thread, but here are my stats:


Hook: Triple-URM--White, Black, Dominican, Native American (not registered)

GPA: 3.87 uw (including the 2 Bs), 4.6 w
ACT: 35 (36 R, 36 E, 34 S, 34 M, 11 W)
SAT IIs: 770 USH, 790 Lit
Rank: 50/850 (rank is unweighted, though); top 6%
APs: USH, Lang, & Gov this year, 5's on them. Stats, Lit, Euro, and Macro/Micro next year
Course load: Very history-heavy and all academic electives. Only B's have been in science classes
School type: Large public competitive, highly ranked

Extracurriculars: Student Representative to the Board of Education (only student on Board of Ed, representing entire student body of 3200 kids), Student Council, Tau Gamma (community service club, 200 + hours), Vegetarian Club (includes lots of activism), Students for Peace and Justice (includes lots of activism), Volleyball & Club Volleyball, freshman mentor, tutoring elementary kids

Awards:
National Spanish Honors Society
NCTE Achievements in English Writing (national)
Bryn Mawr College Book Award
National Achievement Scholar (probably finalist or winner)
National Hispanic Recognition Program (probably finalist or winner)
Either National Merit Commended or Semi-finalist; I'm on the border for my state's cut off score

Summers: All 3 summers Appalachia Service Project (160 hours), 1 summer au-pair in Odder, Denmark & traveling Europe by myself

Prospective Majors: History, Poli-Sci, Women's/Gender Studies

Recs: Should be excellent, from history/gov't & english teachers

All that said, I think it's fair to say that the 2 B's don't make, as you said, a dramatic difference on my application. Thank you for putting things in perspective.

I'd love to hear other thoughts, but at this point my gut (with the help of swingtime's advice) is telling me to apply ED without an explanation letter. Does anyone else think differently?

swingtime

Lauren, yes!!! Do go with your gut!!!!!!

FYI: my little relative is an extremely excited member of the Columbia Class of '16. It was her first choice, though she applied RD (financial aid concerns). She had a couple of Bs on her transcript. Her course schedule was absolutely the most rigorous offered by her high school. In truth, the real rigor of her course schedule was more significant than the appearance of a couple of Bs on the transcript. It IS indeed possible to be admitted with a couple of Bs if in all other ways you have a superb, competitive appplication.

Your test scores are just superb! Your class rank is absolutely fine! Now is the time for you to be concerned about those essays. My little one spent all summer on the Common App. essay and, in truth, fine-tuning the whole Common Application. And she REALLY REALLY worked on her Columbia essays. And this mattered. Her adcom let her know that he LOVED her whole application. It was the impact of the whole that was greater than the mere sum of the separate parts.

I really really wish you the best of luck!!!!

lauren44

I, too, have already begun my common app essay Thank you so much, and good luck to your relative at Columbia!

swingtime

Believe me, she cannot wait. We are in the midwest, and all of us will be driving her to Columbia in August. Like you, but for perhaps different reasons, it was always her first choice! She loves the Core. She loves Columbia's unique "spin" on her intended major. She loves Morningside Heights. She loves NY. Oh, did I mention that she loves Columbia???? We were sobbing tears of true joy when she found out she was accepted, because it was such a LONG road to a destination that she was never sure she would reach.

lauren44

We sound pretty similar! I'm also from the midwest, crazy about the Core, excited about Columbia's Human Rights major, and in love with NYC (I have family there). And I know I'll be sobbing when I hear from Columbia-- hopefully tears of joy and not dejection. Thanks for sharing; now I can more easily see a light at the end of the tunnel! Fingers crossed I'll reach it this December.