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Early Decision or Regular Decision?

Carl234Carl234 2 replies2 discussionsRegistered User Posts: 4 New Member
in College Admissions
Hello everyone,

I would like to apply early decision for a university that I know that I want to go to. However, while I would have finished the regular SAT reasoning test by then, I will not have finished 2 SAT IIs which I would only get the results for after the deadline. I would like to early apply to Columbia University for Economics, and they say that not submitting SAT IIs does not put a person at a disadvantage, but I am not sure whether I should simply wait until regular decisions because I know that I will be able to do very well on my SAT IIs. Thanks!
6 replies
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Replies to: Early Decision or Regular Decision?

  • Erin's DadErin's Dad 32920 replies3644 discussionsSuper Moderator Posts: 36,564 Super Moderator
    If you can afford it then apply ED. If they accept the SAT IIs after the date then fine.
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  • drusbadrusba 9573 replies20 discussionsRegistered User Posts: 9,593 Senior Member
    Columbia accepts tests through the November SAT test date for early decision -- the application deadline is not the test date deadline -- and thus you should be able to submit subject tests as long as you take them by the Nov test date.

    Note, however, that it is kind of an unknown whether subject tests are going to have much, if any, impact on admission decisions for the class that will be applying this fall for entry into fall 2017. Until recently, Columbia required two subject tests if you submitted SAT. Beginning with those applying for entry in 2017, it wil no longer require subject tests. Moreover, it is not even recommending them. Instead, it has joined a number of colleges that will give them some consideration if submitted but they are neither required nor recommended. Typically, for other colleges in that group, subject tests have not historically been needed for admission, although they may help a little.
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  • bopperbopper 13920 replies98 discussionsForum Champion CWRU Posts: 14,018 Forum Champion
    Easy peasey you don't have to take SAT 2 for Columbia anymore.
    https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/testing
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  • SeinfeldFan1SeinfeldFan1 594 replies100 discussionsRegistered User Posts: 694 Member
    edited June 2016
    The acceptance rate is (understandably) higher for ED, and it may help you more than the SAT IIs do, especially if you are a standout student without them. Like @Erin's Dad says, you must make sure you can pay. Which subject tests would you be taking?
    edited June 2016
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  • Carl234Carl234 2 replies2 discussionsRegistered User Posts: 4 New Member
    edited June 2016
    Thank you so much for all your responses. I would be taking the SAT II Math, Bio, and US history. What do you mean whether I can pay? You mean the actual SAT tests? Thank you :)
    edited June 2016
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  • KKmamaKKmama 3041 replies41 discussionsRegistered User Posts: 3,082 Senior Member
    When you apply ED you sign a contract stating that you will attend if you can possibly afford it.

    If your family is not wealthy and financial aid is needed it is always better to apply RD. That way you can compare financial aid offers from several schools to see which is the most affordable.
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