If you’re here, we know you probably just got rejected from Columbia, and you don’t know what to do next – we’re sorry that happened, and we know it feels awful. First of all, this admissions decision is not a reflection of who you are as a person or of your hard work and talent. It’s important to remember that, especially in the Ivy League, there are countless students who are more than qualified to get in, and there’s simply not enough space for all of you. You will go to an amazing school, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
Columbia has a 3.9% overall acceptance rate, and a 14% ED acceptance rate. That doesn’t mean it’s 28x more likely to get into Columbia ED though, and that ED rate puts them in the same boat as schools like Georgetown, Berkeley, Notre Dame, and Tulane – all very prestigious schools.
Getting rejected early decision sucks. We know that you know that, but we want you to know that you’re not alone or adrift right now. In this post, we are going to detail some things that you can do to help yourself feel a little bit more in control of this situation and give you some action items for the next few weeks.
Step One: Take a Little Break
You need to take a break. “No, I don’t. I have so much to do!!” Okay, first of all, we’re your elders, listen to us, and second of all, yeah, you have some stuff to do, but you can take a break first. You’ve been going nonstop for months, if not years, at this point, and you have just been dealt a pretty substantial blow. You are exhausted, even if you don’t fully realize it yet. So after you finish this paragraph, close the laptop and go do something fun for yourself or go smash some plates or something.
You are the kind of student who applied early decision to Columbia, which means that you probably have so many responsibilities, so many extracurriculars to keep track of, sports, excellent grades, etc.. There’s no way you don’t deserve a little mini-sabbatical. Take 2 to 3 days to have as many feelings as you need to have about your rejection, and then come back to this post.
Step Two: Strategize
The first thing you need to tackle post-rejection is taking a hard look at your college list. If you’re a frequent reader of the blog, you know that we have our clients make a balanced college list of 8-12 schools. By that, we mean they have a healthy, strategic mix of safety, reach, and target schools. If you have a healthy, balanced list, you may want to swap a few schools out, but you do not need a total rehaul and you do not need to add more schools right now. If this describes you (and you’ve already finished your RD apps and maybe already submitted them), you can go ahead and skip to the last part of this section to talk about ED2 a little more.
Now, if you put all your eggs in the Columbia basket or did not finish all your RD supplements, you’ve got some work ahead of you. When building a college list, aim for a balanced mix of safety, target, and reach schools—places where you’d genuinely be happy to enroll if accepted. Start by identifying what drew you to Columbia. Was it a specific academic program or area of study? Use that as your first filter, ensuring each school on your list aligns with your academic goals. For example, the Columbia Core is a very unique situation, and you might be interested in schools that have rigorous core curriculums, and you should probably avoid places like Brown or Amherst since they’re the absolute opposite. If you were applying to Columbia Engineering, then find similar programs at other schools. After academics, think about factors like culture, size, and location. Keep in mind that not every school will check every box. If there are absolute dealbreakers, such as avoiding large schools or campuses with a heavy Greek life presence, prioritize those. But if you’re open to flexibility, keep an open mind and consider a variety of schools that may surprise you.
Okay, ED2 time, everyone come on back. We highly encourage applying ED2, as it offers acceptance rates similar to early decision and provides schools with comfort of the binding commitment they value for their yield rate. Many colleges accept a significant portion of their class from early rounds, including ED2! ED2 rates might be slightly lower than ED, but they are higher than RD. While regular decision can still work out (as we like to say, miracles happen in RD!), we prefer to keep things as secure as possible, which is why we make sure every client has an ED2 option lined up even before applying ED.
Step Three: Essays
With your college list finalized—especially if you've added several new schools—it’s time to dive into their supplemental essays. Our website has detailed guides for writing both school-specific supplements and those common prompts that appear repeatedly. But before you get too deep into the supplements, there’s something even more essential to focus on: the Common App essay!
You most likely need to rewrite your Common App essay. “Not me, I am the exception!” Probably not. Sorry! If we had to guess, your Common App essay topic was overplayed. By that, we mean a topic admissions officers have read countless times—like major accomplishments, overcoming challenges, or reflections on grandparents. We’re sure it’s beautifully written, but the topic itself might be too familiar. And “too familiar” doesn’t stand out. The Common App essay is your prime opportunity to show who you really are! Did you do that, or did you write something hella cliched? Are you funny, resourceful, or a passionate home chef? This is your chance to let that side of you shine, so, yes, you might need to rewrite your essay.
“Ummm you expect me to write a new Common App essay and new supplements?” Yes. We know it’s possible. Every year, we help countless students who have two weeks between ED rejections and RD deadlines write fresh, memorable Common App essays. You can do it too!
The Common App essay is really all about brainstorming (and yes, that’s the toughest part!). We recommend focusing on telling a story—it doesn’t have to be anything grand. In fact, it can be as simple as an afternoon you spent gardening or how you planned a great surprise party. Think about what sets you apart, or consider asking friends and family what traits they think of when they think of you. There are so many qualities about you that can’t be captured in a GPA or SAT score. Maybe you have a quirky habit, an unusual hobby, or a wild story? That’s where your topic might be hiding. Once you find it, craft a story around a single moment, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Stories don’t need to be epic, grand tales; sometimes, the best ones come from small moments—like that time you cooked with your mom or your thought process while painting. In fact, these smaller, personal stories often make for the strongest essays. A standout Common App essay tells a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end, using vivid language that pulls the reader right into the moment with you.
Step Four: Ask for Help
If you’re feeling stuck during this process—and we understand how emotionally intense this time can be—know that we’re here to support you. Every year, we offer our “It’s Going to Be Okay” package, designed specifically to guide you through these critical two weeks. This intensive boot camp covers every aspect of the Common App you might need help with, from brainstorming to execution. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you could use a hand!
Rejected and don’t know what to do? Reach out to us ASAP.