<p>Hi, I would really appreciate your evaluation on my college chances. </p>
<p>Major: Economics-Political Science/Government
High School GPA: 3.7 (UW)
Class Rank: 81 out of 539
(Public high school)
SAT: 2250 Math-800; Critical Reading-750; Writing-700
SAT II: Math Level 2-750; Literature-700; U.S. History-750; Chemistry-700; French-700</p>
<p>Extracurricular Activities:
About 10 hours of tennis every week for 6 years;
Ranked 32 in USTA Pacific Northwest Junior B18 (subject to change);
About an hour of volunteer work every week at YMCA for one year;
About 10 hours of volunteer coaching every week for one year</p>
<p>It is obvious that this application is not the best. I like to know what categories I should mostly focus on to improve since I still have a little time. My GPA seems to be too low even without the consideration that I attended a public school where the competition is likely to be softer than most of private schools. But, I'm planning to explain myself that I felt the high school work was tedious until my later stage of high school life, whether the admission officers buy it or not.</p>
<p>On the scale of 0 to 10...</p>
<p>How good are your grades now--are we talking a slight improvement or a strong upward trend? How tough is your course load? Unless you have a compelling story, I don't see the point in whining and making excuses for your bad grades. You should call attention to the good stuff.</p>
<p>Your scores are good. ECs aren't going to stand out.</p>
<p>My grades are only on a slight improvement but I made sure to take all the tough corses. I feel certain that I can improve my SAT scores and I still have time for more ECs. Would these help?</p>
<p>Your SAT scores are fine -- no need to retake them for Columbia. Class rank/gpa are good. Your EC's are not memorable, and I think that just adding more EC's in your senior year isn't going to mean much unless you do something really outstanding (not sure what that could be, lol). Have you spoken with the tennis coach at Columbia? If they're looking for recruits, maybe that could give you the edge you're going to need. Good luck.</p>
<p>SATs are fine. It is really too late to do something substantial with ECs unless you make a major effort. You can't just join 5 more clubs and drop the names on the resume.</p>
<p>A slight improvement in your grades doesn't really lend much support to your proposed theory. I don't think it passes the laugh test.</p>
<p>I think his USTA ranking is a bit low for being recruited by Columbia's team. That's a respectable ranking, but Columbia's team is relatively strong (unlike, say, football/basketball). It is definitely worth a call to the coach--one of those things that can't really hurt.</p>