<p>The burden is on you to prove your academic skills in any subject, even French. Of course it is 'debatable' - you need to prove your level of literacy in any language.</p>
<p>You also need some good standardized test results, high scores in French will be an easy way for you add something to your profile. If you had a good education in a French system you should be able to get your SAT math score up - a lot. If not, you have a problem.</p>
<p>If you are now resident in the US (green card) you should not be an international student anymore.</p>
<p>Other students have indeed spent years preparing themselves, that is why they are better prepared than you. You really need to work on your profile, not get defensive if people spend the time to make suggestions.</p>
<p>Alright I agree in one part; "you need to prove your level of literacy in any language"</p>
<p>However, it is not about getting defensive or not, it is just because there is a difference between a suggestion and an objection. I also know "of course" that once you are a us resident you are not an international student anymore. I am here at this time for academical reasons, I am taking an ESL program which require most of the time international student status.</p>
<pre><code>About my score in the Math section, I admit I should had more than a 510. It is very bad but I will practice again and again to finally get a better score.
</code></pre>
<p>You should also take into account that Columbia actually does require a minimum score in the Toefl for international students. </p>
<p>"TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). You are urged to visit TOEFL:</a> Test of English as a Foreign Language as quickly as possible for more information on this examination. A minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), 250 (old computer-based test) or 100 (new Internet-based test) is necessary for admission to Columbia."</p>
<p>I suppose if you score below that you will automatically get rejected. Most top colleges in the US require a certain minimum score for international students in these tests.</p>
<p>I didnt mean to sound discouraging or anything, I was just bringing up something that had not been mentioned until now and that is really important for his college application process. Unlike for the SAT, colleges do have a cut-off for the Toefl. </p>
<p>You mentioned you were taking ibT right? so you need a 100+ to be considered for admission at Columbia. Just thought you should know that.</p>
<p>Alright, I'll try to help you out with my recommendations: Study for the TOEFL and SAT Subject Tests first and foremost, since those are the most urgent. Then, start working on your application to Columbia University (I would definitely use your story about having to learn English in three months and living in Senegal as the basis for your essays, although you do what you find would be best). If you don't happen to get into Columbia University, then you should probably take a year off and master the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and TOEFL if necessary (can you retake a TOEFL?). Also, do something unique during that one year period. Come next year, apply to Columbia University as well as some safety schools. If you still don't get into Columbia University, enroll in the colleges you get into. Study very hard and apply at the end of Freshman year. If you still don't get in, then work hard and apply at the end of Sophomore year. If you still don't get in, then there is still graduate school. Study hard through your last two years of college and reapply. This would maximize your chances of getting in! :) Good luck and god bless!</p>
<p>Also, I just noticed your list of colleges you plan on applying to. I know that for one of those colleges at least (Princeton University), you can't apply as a transfer student to. So, it would probably be best to work the hardest on that application, although obviously you should work hard on all of them. Graduate schools is still an option at Princeton University, though.</p>
<p>Thank you Foreman for your advices! I may retake all of my exams if I have to take a year off. Yes I think since I have the SAT IIs and the TOEFL to take on January, I have no choice: just save what is still savable.</p>
<p>Hey no problem, if you have any questions you can ask me via private message.</p>
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I may retake all of my exams if I have to take a year off. Yes I think since I have the SAT IIs and the TOEFL to take on January, I have no choice: just save what is still savable.
[/quote]
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<p>Don't retake them if you score good on them, only focus on the ones that need improvement. But your completely right when you say that at this point, just save what is savable.</p>