Should I apply early?

Colleges & Universities Columbia University
1

<p>So I was wondering if anyone thinks I’d have a chance to get into Columbia SEAS for CompSci if I applied early. I’m a current junior about done with my year and it’s my absolute top choice, but I don’t want to waste an early application if it’s not realistic.</p>

<p>[ b]Objective:**[list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): 730 CR 800 Math 740 Writing (2270/2400, 1530/1600)
[ *] SAT II:760 BioE (Anticipated 750-800 on Math II and Physics next weekend)
[ *] Unweighted GPA: ~96/100
[ *] Rank: At least top 5%, school sends a lot to really top schools every year
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis): CompSci 4
[ *] Senior Year Course Load: Most rigorous available
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
USA Computing Olympiad Gold Division (Top 50 in US)
Science Olympiad 5th Place Fermi Questions in New York</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Subjective:**[list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Math Team, Computer Science Club (President), Science Olympiad (Vice President), NHS
[ *] Job/Work Experience: None
[ *] Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer at my church for an hour every week, plus a few events here and there
[ *] Summer Activities: Computer Science research internships in the summers after sophomore and junior years
[ *] Essays: They should be decent, really nothing special though
[ *] Teacher Recommendation: One is from my physics teacher who loves me and one is from an english teacher who likes me
[ *] Counselor Rec: Huge school, counselor likes me but it won’t be anything amazing
[ *] Additional Rec: Maybe I’ll get one from a summer research mentor?</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Other**[list]
[ *] State (if domestic applicant):NY
[ *] School Type: Competitive Public
[ *] Ethnicity: White
[ *] Gender: Male
[ *] Income Bracket(mention if FA candidate): ~30,000
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None</p>

<p>I’d really appreciate if anyone could chance me or advise me to apply early or not! Thanks so much for the time!</p>

2

<p>to be honest, plenty of students are just like you. There is no way for any of us to determine whether you have a chance. You have great test scores, good gpa, and “typical” (as I would say) ECs. </p>

<p>At this point, it is up to your essays to get you in. If you write great essays, such that make you a memorable applicant, you will be fine. You say that your essays might be “nothing special,” and that answers your question as to whether you are taking applying to Columbia seriously. You HAVE to try your best on those essays, otherwise they will not like you, and you will ultimately be denied. </p>

<p>Sorry if I babbled on.</p>

3

<p>overacheiver01 is right. Tests scores and GPA get you in the door, but essays get you admitted. The difference between a 2100 and a 2400 isn’t that much for the admissions committee. You have to show them who you are and make them hear your voice. Applying early really doesn’t make that much of a difference. Sure the acceptance rate is higher, but that most likely is due to the fact that early applicants are more qualified and determined than regular decision kids. If your essays are “nothing special,” you will not get in via either decision program.</p>