<p>I'm in Gr. 11 in Canada. Chinese background. </p>
<p>SAT: (will take in June)</p>
<p>SAT II:
Math II (will take in May)
Biology E/M (will take in May)</p>
<p>*Please assume it will be 2100+ if it's impossible to chance without SAT scores</p>
<p>Courses:
Hard courses, will be taking all available AP courses next year (which is only 2)</p>
<p>Last semester GPA: 95% (top 5% for sure, estimate top 10)</p>
<p>Awards: (still working on this =()
Honour rolls
French award
Music theory award
DECA top 20
(will try to get more business/community awards)</p>
<p>ECs:
Executive of Music Council
Orchestras
*Will start business club next year
Writer for school magazine
School soccer team
Peer-tutoring
Member of some other clubs (unimportant)</p>
<p>Community Involvement
- Co-founder and a board director of a non-profit youth organization (doing all sorts of things)
- Leader of high-school team in a youth group that is a part of the city's community development program. (doing outreach for election campaign 2010)
- One of the editors of a youth magazine published by the public libraries
- Outreach volunteer for city's environmental program
- The school board's youth orchestra</p>
<p>No work experience
One summer is spent on reading books and another is spent visiting family in China.
Next summer...will attempt to start up a small business.</p>
<p>Your 95% GPA is incredible, and as long as you get above 2100 on the SAT you should be fine in the academic area (assuming you took a rigorous course load). After this point it really comes down to ECs, comm involvement and your personal essay.</p>
<p>Your extra curriculars also sound strong. Being an executive on the Music Council will show leadership. I suggest getting as much leadership experience as possible. Starting up a business club is an awesome idea for that.</p>
<p>I would suggest strive for a little more consistency with your ECs and comm involvement. Focus on whatever will help Columbia see that you are right for the major you are applying for. If it is music, group your Music Council and Orchestra experience together. If it is business, do the same with everything related to business. You don’t want to seem like you are spread to thinly - you want them to know that you are passionate for a certain area and not just trying to impress with a list. Get more experience in the field that will make the difference. In any case, leadership positions no matter what area will show that you would be a good contribution to the Columbia community (they are BIG on leadership).</p>
<p>The small business idea would be an excellent way to show that you are innovative and actually make things HAPPEN in the world. If it falls through, don’t hesitate to get a job. Universities like to see that you are willing to work hard to pay for your education. In some ways, the more tedious the job, the better.</p>
<p>Overall, you definitely seem like your on the right track and you have the initiative that Columbia is looking for. Just make sure you present yourself in the best light on your application and make your essay UNIQUE and one that reveals YOU. Adcoms can spot BS from a mile away.</p>
<p>WOW Thank you itsinreach! that’s the best analysis/advice anyone has given me~ haha maybe it’s just because you are giving me hope :P. You are from Canada too?! Are you also applying or already got into US universities?</p>