<p>@Jimkingwood, although I was rooting for your daughter to be admitted, I agree that in some ways it’s better that she was deferred (particularly if she is ultimately admitted in the RD round). I am not a fan of ED, as I think it benefits the school, not the student. As I mentioned, my son applied RD (he did not apply ED anywhere) and having the ability to decide among several schools, as well as the added time and maturity to decide what he really wanted, was very useful. I think his decision to go to Columbia, and our decision to fund it, was a more well thought out decision as a result. And this helped in our feeling no regrets. </p>
<p>However, I don’t agree with the “grad school is all that counts” mantra that I sometimes see here and elsewhere. I think it’s wrong to view college as merely a means to get into graduate school, just as I think it’s wrong to view high school as merely a means to get into college. People are shaped by their experiences and there are differences between colleges. It’s important for the student to end up at a school where he or she will be challenged, stimulated and satisfied. It’s great that your daughter has already been admitted to some good schools with some good merit offers. I’ll continue to hope that she’s ultimately admitted to Columbia too and then you and she will have the ability to make an unconstrained choice.</p>