<p>So, Columbia University is one of my dream schools and if I were to ever get in, it would be an absolute dream come true.</p>
<p>I didn't do so well in my first two years of high school (I know, then why would I even hope to get accepted into CU, right?) to be honest, my overall GPA first two years was a 3.0, but junior year I was able to bring it up to a 4.7
My SAT scores I'm hoping to get over 2200-2300 or higher would be great.
I'm taking three SAT IIs - Bio, Chem and Math 2
I've been in class council for three consecutive years, I played field hockey for one year-awarded leading scorer, I have done DECA and made it into states, and I do community service.</p>
<p>What I first want to know is, What kind of classes do you take in high school? Columbia looks for a VERY rigorous schedule, with Honors, AP, or IB classes. It would benefit you if you have some rigor in ALL 4 yrs of your classes at high school. </p>
<p>Great job w/ that GPA junior year! Colleges LOVE to see grade trends shoot up, and you REALLY gave your game junior year! I don’t know what your overall GPA is though. Is it a 3.6 or something?</p>
<p>Your ECs are pretty good, actually. Shows a lot of leadership, which Columbia wants. </p>
<p>Work on the SATs. SHOOT FOR HIGH SCORES, as your GPA CAN be ignored somewhat with stellar scores! Don’t brush off the SATs/ACTs if you are taking them. </p>
<p>Bottom line is: IF you have a rigorous schedule, keep up your grades senior year, and POUR YOUR HEART out in your application essay, as well as get STELLAR scores on the SAT, you stand a chance. Perhaps a lower chance than most Columbia applicants, but still, a chance. </p>
<p>I can’t guarantee that you will get in, but if you really show you want to (by doing the above), you have proven TO YOURSELF you can be successful at prestigious schools.
And you should be happy. There are LOTS of other schools who would love a hard worker like you. Broaden your horizons and look at other colleges too! Safeties, Matches, and Reaches (Columbia is a Medium Reach, I think) are important. </p>
<p>Ugh. So sick of seeing this guy trolling on the Columbia forum. No, Columbia is not the greatest school in the world (NONE are) but it is not the “worst decision anyone could ever make.” And most of the claims made in that “article” are complete idiocy (and so naive). But I digress…</p>
<p>I don’t want to sugar coat and say you have a good shot because I think a lot of what is said on CC is misleading and perhaps gets people’s hopes up. That absolutely does not mean you shouldn’t try applying to Columbia and see what happens–there’s no harm in that, after all, and you could be surprised and get in! However, I think it is sort of a long-shot. Columbia tends to accept people who were groomed for the Ivies since a young age, people who have focused all of their energy and time on perfect grades, stellar extracurriculars, and SAT courses. While they will admire in your application the positive change you have made in your grades, I think overall they will be dubious. </p>
<p>However: PLEASE don’t let whatever people say on CC negatively influence your decision to apply to prestigious schools. You should definitely apply, because none of us no what could happen.</p>
Colleges LOVE to see grade trends shoot up, and you REALLY gave your game junior year! I don’t know what your overall GPA is though. Is it a 3.6 or something?</p>