IHateTheGMAT
I just did some back of the envelope calculations I'd like to add to the discussion. J Term class size is roughly 190. Assuming the yield is 77% - and if that's overall yield then I think in reality J Term yield is closer to 100% because there really is no other competition in terms of top ranked programs starting in January, especially since J Term has a lot of new yorkers just looking for an accelerated program that allows them to get their ticket stamped and not have to move from NYC. But, anyway, conservatively estimate 77% that means they need to accept around 247 applicants. If the yield were 90% for J Term, they only need to accept 211. So, for them to have a 10% acceptance rate for J Term they would need between 2,110 and 2,470 applicants. This is less than the number of applicants for tiny, remote location programs like Tuck, Yale and Cornell. For a school in NYC and a program popular with NYC bankers that don't want to leave, I think its pretty reasonable they would hit these application numbers. If so..... Sept 07 acceptance rates are actually above 16%
In response to this post, you're looking at it the wrong way. If CBS has a full-time acceptance rate of 15% of about 5000 applicants, of which 70% matriculate then thats 525 students in full-time. If 190 J-Termers matriculate, using 77%, and the acceptance rate is 29%, which I think is the real number, the number of of applicants is 850. Do the weighted average acceptance rate and you have 17% on the dot. That's where the J-Term acceptance rate brings the overall acceptance rate down. But, don't be fooled! J-Term, from what I hear, is tough tough tough to get in!
And as far as ED not helping Columbia manage its yield much, I think it actually makes a big impact on yield. Like you said, it gets a really bad rap for ED so if it didn't help them why wouldn't they just get rid of it? Also, Clear Admit claims that Columbia takes 40% of it's class ED. That's a pretty big number and it's clearly done in an effort to manage yield and acceptance rates.
Just FYI, I'm actually planning to apply to Columbia ED and it is my top choice. So I'm not trying to denigrate the school or it's selectivity. Also, congrats on your admit and thanks for all the useful insights you give to us CBS 09 hopefuls!