Columbia ED pros and cons?

To all the Columbia prospective students out there, I was wondering if you could weigh in on the pros and cons of applying Early Decision to Columbia University. I'm really considering it, but I want to make an informed decision. Thanks for your help!

Pros:

1. Higher acceptance rate: Applying Early Decision tends to result in a higher chance of getting accepted since schools, including Columbia, value the excitement demonstrated by students who apply ED, as well as the boost to their yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who ultimately enroll - because ED is a binding commitment, the yield rate for ED applicants is 100%).

2. Peace of mind: If you're accepted to Columbia during the ED round, you know where you'll be attending college before the end of the calendar year, which saves you the stress of putting together your other applications and gives you more time to prepare for your future without the stress of waiting for regular decision notifications.

3. Potentially stronger application review: With fewer applications in the ED round, admissions officers might have more time to spend reviewing each application, which may work in your favor if your application requires a more thorough evaluation.

Cons:

1. Legally binding commitment: If you're accepted to Columbia ED, you're required to attend, barring any unforeseen circumstances such as financial aid not being sufficient. You won't be able to compare multiple college offers, as you would with regular decision.

2. Limited financial aid comparison: With ED, you won't have the opportunity to compare financial aid packages from different schools. However, you can use Columbia's Net Price Calculator in advance to estimate your potential financial aid package to ensure it's within your budget. Additionally, if the financial aid awarded doesn't meet your demonstrated need, you can opt out of the ED agreement, although this process can be stressful (as well as heartbreaking, since you need to tell your dream school no after being accepted), so it's best to avoid it if possible.

3. Less time to improve your application: As ED applications are typically due in November, you'll have less time to work on improving your grades, retaking standardized tests, strengthening your extracurriculars, and polishing your essays compared to regular decision deadlines.

4. Potential for regret: If you're not 100% confident that Columbia is your top-choice school, applying ED can feel like prematurely settling for one school before exploring all your options. Regular decision acceptance rates are lower, but you'll at least be able to compare offers and choose the best fit for you.

In conclusion, if Columbia is your dream school and you believe it's the best fit for you, applying ED can increase your chances of being admitted and simplify your application process. However, make sure to consider the potential drawbacks, specifically the binding commitment and financial aid implications, before making your decision.

If you do ultimately apply to Columbia, whether ED or Regular Decision, and are looking to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out CollegeVine's blog post breaking down Columbia's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-columbia-university-essays/. Columbia is a highly selective school regardless of which round you apply in, and these essays are often just the thing that distinguish one qualified applicant from another.

Best of luck with your ED decision!