Thoughts on Round 2 at Columbia and MIT

Question

Hey Paul/Linda,

I'm in the process of putting together my applications and am trying to decide which other schools to apply to outside of H/S/W. MIT and Columbia would probably be my preferred schools outside the big 3, however from what I have read on this forum and elsewhere, Round 2 at both of these schools is very challenging (ie: their round 2 is the equivalence of round 3 at the other schools). Is this accurate, or do these two schools typically admit closer to 50% of their students in the second round?

I have decided I only have time to apply to five schools tops, so assuming the above is accurate, would I be better off applying to a "higher probability" school such as Chicago and dropping either MIT or Columbia (to maximize the chance that I will land somewhere)? Chicago is probably the only school outside of the 5 I have listed.

Thanks for your thoughts.

PaulBodine · Answer

Blayze,

MIT  states that it admits 50% of its class from each round, but since most applicants apply in its second round, its odds of admission are lower in the second round. Both CBS and MIT are more difficult schools to get into then  Chicago , so given your concerns, you may want to shift your emphasis to Chicago -- assuming its program fits your needs and you have already done all the due diligence (interacting with students/alums) to present a credible Why Chicago argument.

Good luck,

Blayze · Answer

Thanks Paul.

When you say that CBS and MIT are "more difficult", are we talking marginally more difficult (in which case I would probably apply to them over Booth), or significantly more difficult (in which case I would apply to Booth). Otherwise put, is their R2 the equivalence of the dreaded R3 for more "traditional" schools that have 3 rounds?

Between MIT and CBS, which would you say is more difficult to gain admission to?

Thanks,

PaulBodine · Answer

Blayze,

I meant marginally more difficult (as in 15% overall selectivity rate vs. 20%). I don't believe that applying to MIT or CBS at this stage of the season is comparable to applying to the third round at other schools -- no way. Historically, CBS is the harder of the two to get into although last year they were about neck and neck (15%).

--Paul

Blayze · Answer

Thanks Paul, this helps me put things in perspective. I will probably go for MIT/CBS instead of Booth then... I don't think Booth's incremental 5% acceptance rate is worth dropping either MIT or CBS, both schools I would prefer over Booth.

PaulBodine · Answer

Your reasoning makes perfect sense.

Good luck,

Thoughts on Round 2 at Columbia and MIT

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