How come by chances at Colubmia are higher than at Brown...?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I visited MyChances (don’t hate) and my chances at Columbia are around 10% higher than my chances at Brown. I thought Columbia was more selective…?</p>

<p>For your reference, Asian male, international, 35 ACT, NOT engineering or pre-med (probably Poli Sci or International Relations)</p>

2

<p>What you’re witnessing is the computer program seeing fewer people (percentage wise) with high stats being admitted at Brown than at Columbia. It therefore assumes that those with high stats have a better chance at Columbia than at Brown.</p>

<p>The problem is that the decrease in correlation between academic competitiveness and acceptence at Brown at the high levels is simply a result of Brown’s choice in admitting certain types of students who are often less typical; it is the mindset of Brown that makes this distinction in admission. </p>

<p>So, rest assured, your chances at Columbia are not higher than at Brown, assuming you would fit in at Brown.</p>

3

<p>Interesting. Would you say that Brown looks for more unusual students then, compared to Columbia looking for more well-rounded ones?</p>

4

<p>Stereotypes would suggest yes.</p>

5

<p>If you compare these two schools’ test scores, you can see the discrepancy right away. Brown is less interested in numbers than Columbia. It is Brown’s long standing tradition to admit students of great character and personality, so they are more willing to sacrifice their numbers to create, what they feel, is the most beneficial collegiate atmosphere. </p>

<p>Since your ACT is high, it probably bunched you in as more of a “fit” with Columbia. I’ve also heard Columbia is more forgiving to the Asian population, although I doubt MyChances took that into consideration.</p>

6

<p>Brown cares more about GPA and grades, they pretty much will take a valedictorian, just because they are THE valedictorian with a minimum SAT of 1700 (I have seen it in my own school), Brown is more cultural and more into character. Columbia is a bit more competitive so their testing score are going to be weighted more than Brown would. They are both great schools though. However, any chance place isn’t accurate. The applicant is at the admissions committee’s very own discretion, and since the applicant pool’s recently are getting higher and higher with the constant same applications coming in they are now looking for great Essay’s and personalities to create their class.</p>