Clinton Said:

Can I get into Columbia?

We Answered:

Uh? This is the Fashion & Accessories category. Try Higher Education+.

Anyway, Columbia doesn't have a minimum GPA or anything like that. Your best bet is to apply and see what happens!

Gertrude Said:

College help? please?

We Answered:

Are those your only choices? They are both decent schools, and if you are an Iowa resident UI has the advantage of low tuition, but heaven knows there are many schools in the US with good English Departments for undergraduates.
That said, undergraduate writing programs are rarely ranked, and specific departments in liberal arts colleges or undergraduate colleges in general are not usually ranked in any consistent way. Iowa is highly ranked because of its graduate program, not its undergraduate one which may or may not be excellent.

Still, as Knox is a distinctly second tier liberal arts college, hardly on a par with places like Williams, Swarthmore or even Carlton, and UI is a major research university, on that basis I would opt to attend it.

Darrell Said:

Can I get into Columbia?

We Answered:

Columbia is not something you simply give up trying on; if you throw up your hands and concede that you will never get in, then obviously it's not going to happen for you. But it seems like you are on the right track. I certainly would not say that anyone can walk into a school like Columbia, considering how selective it is and the vast amounts of very qualified applicants they receive each year. Columbia is a dream school for many students, and there's no reason why you should give up on it because the competition is so tough.

If you maintain a Columbia-bound track record, and even if you don't get in, your academic standing will be strong enough to get into many other great colleges that accept a bit more than 8% of the thousands of very qualified people who apply. You may end up going to another school that you do very well in and have a great experience there during your undergraduate years. There's no reason to forefit all else for the sake of Columbia. Even if you don't end up going for undergrad, then go to another good school and shoot for Columbia when it comes time for grad school.