By Justin Neiman, Former Ivy League Admissions Officer

Rejected from Columbia Early Action

With Columbia University releasing admissions decisions this week, there is a lot of anxiety in the air. Receiving a rejection from your Early Decision school can be incredibly discouraging. If you find yourself in this situation, know that you’re not alone, and this post is here to guide you forward if you received a rejection.

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Can You Appeal if You Were Rejected?

One of the most common questions we hear is whether it’s possible to appeal a rejection. Unfortunately, Columbia does not allow students to appeal admissions decisions. A rejection is final. However, you can apply again next year if you choose to.

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Columbia Admissions Statistics

Similar to other top institutions, Columbia has chosen not to release specific Early Decision statistics publicly. However, complete admissions statistics are provided annually in the Common Data Set. For the Class of 2028, Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science had a combined admission rate of 3.85%. This means that over 96% of applicants to Columbia were not offered admission.

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What to Do Next

As difficult as it may be, my best advice is to let go of your plan to attend Columbia this year. While it may have been your dream school, there are countless other excellent colleges to consider, and the admissions process is far from over.

Now is the time to shift your focus entirely to Regular Decision or Early Decision II applications. If Columbia remains your ultimate goal, there may still be opportunities to attend by transferring or reapplying next year if you choose to take a gap year. However, those decisions are nearly a year away, so it’s in your best interest to concentrate on your applications to other schools now.

Most top colleges have Regular Decision deadlines at the start of January, giving you valuable time to make adjustments and strengthen your remaining applications.

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Focus on Remaining Applications

Although you can’t change your Columbia application, you can refine and strengthen the applications you’re submitting elsewhere. Here are some ways to make the most of this time:

• Review your essays:
  • Is your Common App essay as compelling as it can be?
  • Does it showcase the most important aspects of your candidacy?
  • Are your supplemental essays tailored to each school, using specific and detailed examples?
• Revisit your college list:
  • Is your list balanced, with a range of target, reach, and safety schools?
• Make strategic updates:
  • Can you add anything to your applications to make them more competitive, such as awards, achievements, or stronger writing?

Stay Positive and Focused

Setbacks like this are hard, but they’re also an opportunity for growth. Stay proactive, keep excelling academically, and use this moment to refine your strategy. Remember, many successful students use challenges as motivation for future success.

While it may have been ideal to secure admission to your dream school before the holidays, the reality is that most students will move through the Regular Decision process. There is still so much to accomplish—so stay focused and give it your all!

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Need Help or Advice?

If you have questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!

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About the Author

Justin Neiman served as an undergraduate admissions officer at Harvard University and as an Assistant Dean at Stanford University. With over a decade of experience working at two of the nation’s most competitive universities, Justin brings a unique understanding of the selective admissions process.

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