ED with lower lsat score but higher gpa

kimste17

I'm thinking of applying to Columbia ED. My GPA is higher than their 75th percentile and I'm planning on taking the LSAT in October, but I've been scoring slightly below their 25th percentile (high 160s) on PTs. Would it be worth giving ED a shot?

blanklaw

Curious to know as well

canihazJD

I wouldn't. ED is generally for the school's benefit, allowing them to lock in preferable candidates while removing that candidate's bargaining power. I think it's a bad deal generally (aside from those that come with a solid guaranteed scholarship), and that most people do it for the wrong reason—they think it'll signal yield in a way that will boost admissions chances. It does signal yield, but early in the cycle schools aren't worried about yield for someone that isn't helping them hit medians. They have a whole cycle to pick off high-stat candidates. In other words if you aren't a strong RD candidate, you probably aren't a strong ED candidate. And if you are a strong ED candidate, you'd probably be better off applying RD and being able to keep your options open, negotiate scholarships, etc.

Two scenarios I can see an ED app being ok.

1. Its your top (or only) school and you don't care about money, options, or scholarship negotiations... you prefer to just know where you're going ASAP.
2. It's a hail-mary app (you expect not to get in) and you are trying to signal yield for a WL pull on the back end.