Admission (NYU, Columbia) with Gap Years (Help!)

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>How much more difficult is it to get into NYU (College of Arts and Science, with a biology-related major) and possibly Columbia (unlikely I think but please give advice to get even a little closer haha, except my Grandma did go to Columbia if that helps) if I finished high school in Australia (have US Citizenship but score was VCE ~97 which is similar to ~2100 SAT) at the end of 2010, and will apply for entry for 2013? So at the end of this year will send applications in.. </p>

<p>I could definitely try the SATs a few times if I need a score which is higher (whats a good score, is 2100 equivalent enough?) and my extra-curriculas aren't that amazing (acting classes/performances, gymnastics+competiting, extensive creative writing, volunteer medical research assistant and cardiology/neurology technician assistant, volunteering at youth help organization, volunteer tutoring for low-income two kids and undertaking first year university chemistry in my final year of school)</p>

<p>And I'm thinking this year continuing acting classes (moving to London for awhile to model and explore Europe before college), Art Gallery internship and also getting back into gymnastics, dance and/or martial arts.</p>

<p>So what can I do to improve my chances? What extra-curriculas could I undertake this year? Or is my great delay from high school and college a HUGE problem?</p>

<p>Please help guys and be brutally honest!</p>

<p>Thanks so much</p>

<p>Artius.</p>