If you recently received a rejection letter from Columbia College or the Fu School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) in the Early Decision round, you are in your right to be quite upset. You worked hard, you did the ‘right’ things, and you took a big swing — and it didn’t pay off. An ED rejection can be deeply upsetting because it also used up your most powerful tool in the college admissions process. Early Decision offered your best chance of getting into a top school, and you can’t get that back. In this post, we’re going to dig into what may have gone awry with your Columbia application and what you can do now to improve your chances of getting into a dream school. First, let’s break down what may have happened with Columbia.
Deferred Early Decision/Early Action by Northeastern 2025-2026
Let’s face it: this isn’t what you wanted. You poured yourself into that Northeastern ED/EA application, imagined co-ops and toughing out Boston winters with your fellow Huskies, and instead of the quick yes you were hoping for, you’ve landed in that awkward middle place. Not rejected, but not accepted either. It feels anticlimactic and, honestly, kind of crushing. That’s okay. It’s normal to be frustrated. Give yourself a moment to be upset. Then remind yourself: a deferral isn’t the end of the line. Your application is still alive in the pool, and you’ve got chances to strengthen it.
Rejected Early Decision from Duke 2025-2026
If you were recently rejected by Duke, you aren’t alone. Duke receives well applications annually, and the overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was only . The Early Decision acceptance rate has plummeted, too, in recent years, and was for the Class of 2029 — that is lower than a number of Ivy League schools!
Deferred Early Decision by Pomona 2025-2026
Hearing that you’ve been deferred from Pomona can sting. You gave the application your all – refined every line, edited until it shone, and hit submit, picturing yourself walking to class under the California sun. Now? You’re stuck in that weird middle space. Neither denied nor admitted. It’s a frustrating place to be!
Rejected Early Decision from Brown 2025-2026
If you recently found that that you were rejected from Brown in the Early Decision round, you’re allowed to be really frustrated, sad, and confused. You worked hard. You did all the things you felt you had to do to be a competitive applicant. And yet, it didn’t work. You aren’t alone, though. The overall Class of 2029 first year acceptance rate for Brown was only . The ED acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 can feel sky high at 17.9%, which was the highest ED acceptance rate in over 5 years, but you need to take that number with a massive handful of salt. Let us explain why 17.9% isn’t actually 17.9%, and help you take your best next steps.
Deferred Early Decision by Northwestern 2025-2026
Hearing “deferred” from Northwestern is tough. You put everything into that application, hit submit, and imagined yourself walking through the Arch in the fall. Instead of the clean “yes” you were hoping for, you got “not yet.” And while it can feel like a rejection in disguise, it isn’t. Northwestern didn’t close the door on you; they’re keeping you in play. It’s not over!
Deferred Early Decision by New York University 2025-2026
Let’s be real: opening your NYU portal and seeing “deferred” is a gut punch. You put so much energy into that ED application, probably even pictured yourself grabbing coffee in Washington Square Park or studying in Bobst, and now you’re without a firm answer. Not an acceptance, not a rejection – just the waiting room of admissions. It feels anticlimactic and frustrating, and you’re allowed to be upset about it. Take a pause, eat something comforting, or go for a run if that’s your thing. Then, when you’re ready, let’s figure out how to move forward.
Deferred Early Decision by Carnegie Mellon 2025-2026
Getting deferred stings. You worked hard on your Carnegie Mellon ED application, poured energy into every section, and hit submit with hope. And now, instead of a yes or no, you’re in the maybe zone. It’s not what you were hoping for, but it’s also not the end. A deferral doesn’t mean rejection; it means “hold tight.” And that gives you a chance to regroup and make a strong second impression!
Deferred Early Decision by Amherst 2025-2026
Getting deferred from Amherst isn’t easy to hear – especially after everything you put into that application. You wrote, edited, revised, and hit submit, imagining what life might look like on the First-Year Quad. Now you’re sitting in limbo. Not accepted. Not rejected. Just… waiting. It’s confusing, frustrating, and yes, disappointing. But here’s the thing: Amherst didn’t say no. You’re still being considered. And that counts.
Deferred Early Decision by Boston University 2025-2026
We get it, hearing “deferred” from BU stings. You poured your time, energy, and hope into crafting an application that showed why you belonged in Boston. You clicked submit dreaming of a clear yes, and instead, you landed in limbo. It's easy to feel like this is a rejection in disguise. But it’s not. BU didn’t close the door – they said, “hold on, we need a little more time!” And that means you’ve still got a shot.
Deferred Early Decision by Barnard 2025-2026
We know, getting deferred from your top-choice school stings. You gave everything to your Barnard ED application, hit submit, and hoped for a win. And now? You’re in limbo. It’s not a no, but it’s not a yes either. You’re stuck in the “maybe” zone, which is hard. But before you spiral, let’s pause. Take a breath. This isn’t a rejection – it’s a delay. A deferral just means they need more time to decide. You still have a shot.
Deferred Early Decision by Penn 2025-2026
Being deferred from Penn is a gut punch. You spent months building an application that showcased your academic strengths, your personal growth, and why you saw yourself thriving on their campus. You hit submit with hope, and now you're left in limbo. It’s disappointing. But a deferral isn’t the end, it’s a pause. Penn hasn’t closed the door. In fact, they’re still considering you!
Deferred Early Decision by Duke 2025-2026
Let’s be honest: a deferral isn’t what you were hoping for. You shot your shot with Duke, and now you're in the uneasy limbo of “maybe later.” It’s not a no, but it’s definitely not the early and easy “yes” you envisioned. If you’re feeling disappointed, that’s completely fair. Take a moment. Be mad. Be sad. Eat your favorite snack. Then, when you’re ready, let’s talk about where to go from here.
Early Decision Strategy for NYU (New York University) 2025-2026
Located right in the middle of Manhattan, New York University (NYU) isn’t your typical college campus – in fact, there isn’t really a “campus” at all. NYU is famous for their programs in everything from business and film to international relations and neuroscience, and they’re also known for their network of 13 global campuses located everywhere from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Abu Dhabi. And they’re selective: the Regular Decision acceptance rate in 2025 was 7.7%, the lowest it’s ever been, but the Early Decision acceptance rate is around 30%. Which means if you’re serious about NYU, there’s really only one move to make.
Early Decision Strategy for Carnegie Mellon University 2025-2026
Carnegie Mellon University, or CMU, is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. a research university experience in a manageable undergraduate environment of just over 7,700 undergraduate students and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. There are a lot of options, too. CMU has 90 majors and minors across six undergraduate colleges alongside an interdisciplinary culture and philosophy that celebrates cross-pollination. Instead of “,” CMU encourages students to break down walls. CMU also has a strong international student community — and a big one — with 23% of undergrads qualifying as international students as of the fall of 2023.
Early Decision Strategy for Dartmouth University 2025-2026
Dartmouth is a highly-respected university in Hanover, New Hampshire, and member of the Ivy League. The college is best known for bringing together the triumvirate of college good times: exceptional academics, a fun culture that centers celebration and athleticism, and a close-knit community. Students who attend Dartmouth aren’t afraid of being hours away from an international airport, or of a good time. What they graduate with, though, is an iconic degree that kickstarts an outstanding future.
Early Decision Strategy for the University of Virginia 2025-2026
Early Decision Strategy for Barnard 2025-2026
Barnard is an iconic all-women’s college in New York City and part of its next-door neighbor, Columbia University. Students at Barnard benefit from the perspective of a women-first learning environment while also having access to, and often full integration with, the Columbia undergraduate experience. Clubs, classes, and athletics are nearly entirely integrated, but Barnard offers a unique learning environment — and a notably higher between 8 and 9%. This doesn’t mean Barnard is easy to get into, though. Nine out of a hundred applicants is not optimistic, so a Barnard application strategy is necessary if you want to get in.
Early Decision Strategy for Columbia University 2025-2026
Columbia is an iconic Ivy League university in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The school has some of the most renowned academic programs in the world, paired with astonishing opportunities. Students often pick Columbia College or Columbia Engineering for their undergraduate education because of exactly this combination. They know that they can earn a valuable degree in a vibrant setting with outstanding resources.
Early Decision Strategy for UChicago 2025-2026
The University of Chicago (UChicago) is a private research university located in, you guessed it, Chicago, Illinois. UChicago is one of the most popular colleges amongst our clients, and it’s one of the best places to study things like econ, public policy, business, and math. UChicago is considered an “Ivy+” school, which means we categorize it along with other highly selective non-Ivies like Stanford, MIT, and Duke because of their rigor and exclusivity. If you’re serious about UChicago, we implore you to apply early, and we’re going to make the case for why.