A realistic chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Hello all!
I'm a Canadian student (eh?), and it would be awesome if you all could give me an idea of my chances for SEAS at Columbia.</p>

<p>Profile:
- Male
- Legacy: nope.
- able to speak conversational french
- single: yes for all the ladies out there</p>

<p>Standardized Testing:</p>

<p>SAT's (superscored) = 1570/1600, 2300/2400
CR = 800
WR = 730
M = 770</p>

<p>SAT's II:
Math 2 = 800
Physics = 800
Chem = To be taken in Jan. (probably will be 'round 750ish)</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>I'm in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program which is the most rigorous curriculum offered in my area. I am also attended top ranked school in my region.</p>

<ul>
<li>standard level biology - level 7</li>
<li>standard level economics - level 7</li>
<li>standard level french - level 4</li>
<li>higher level english - predicted level 6</li>
<li>higher level math - predicted level 7</li>
<li>higher level chemistry - predicted level 7</li>
<li>IB predicted score - 38 + 2 = 40/45</li>
</ul>

<p>overall, my average last year was around a 93-94%</p>

<p>GPA: Not sure, but I think around a high 3-4 unweighted?</p>

<p>Class Rank: My guess is top 5%.</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars:</p>

<p>Student Presidents' Council (student representative organization for the largest region in Canada)
- served as Minister of Public Relations - dealt with the District School Board's trustees and heads
- organized and planned a leadership conference for over 100 kids</p>

<p>DECA:
- Finished 4th place at provincial competition for DECA - won a place at the international career development conference held in dallas, texas
- held title of Vice President in chapter</p>

<p>Regional Science Fair
- designed and developed a more efficient hockey skate
- recognized for ingenuity with silver medal</p>

<p>The Arts:</p>

<p>Royal Conservatory of Music Classical Piano
- completed grade 8 classical piano
- same program from which Glenn Gould graduated</p>

<p>Volunteer:</p>

<ul>
<li>Team Captain of Volunteers at local hospital - responsible for coordinating and managing volunteer efforts - over 100 hours</li>
</ul>

<p>Athletics:
- Varsity Baseball Team - since grade 11
- League Hockey - select level
- Swimming - in process of certification for National Lifeguard Service</p>

<p>Awards:
Top 25% in PASCAL math competition
Two time Student of the Month Award Winner</p>

<p>Hooks:
nay.</p>

<p>Essays:
hopefully good.</p>

<p>Recs:
- teacher ones were probably average at best
- Guidance rec. should be better than average</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for chancing me!</p>

2

<p>I'm mainly commenting cause I saw we had a couple of things in common.<br>
I got an 800 on the CR as well, and you're the only person I've seen so far with the same score.</p>

<p>I'm in IB too.
My family is from Canada.
I'm on the swim team.
I'm a lifeguard (certified spring of sophomore year)
Cool, eh? (Just wanted to use the eh).</p>

<p>Besides chance threads being completely unreliable, nearly everything looks pretty good. Just one question: if you're doing so well in classes grade wise, why are your teacher recs average at best? What, are you a smart alec or something (I'm just trying to think of a reason). Because I'm pretty sure teacher/ guidance recs are pretty important. I'm sure they helped me get accepted this year. I mean, from the college perspective, why would they want a kid that even high school teachers aren't impressed by? Just wondering...</p>

<p>As for translating your grades to American standards, from what my dad has said of Canadian schooling (he went to University and high school there) a 93-94% is excellent, definitely, if not already, close to the 4.0 GPA range.</p>

<p>I just hope your essays were exciting.</p>