<p>Hi. I'm a senior from the midwest, and I'd really like to apply to Columbia. The thing is, I kind of got pushed into taking some classes that I really shouldn't have over the past few years (Honors Chem, AP Physics C, AP Calc), that sunk my GPA. This year, I'm actually taking classes I'm interested in, and I'm hoping to get a 4.0, but I know that even if I ace first semester, my GPA from the past few years is dramatically lower than anything in the range that Columbia seems to accept. I still have a challenging schedule with 4 APs (last year I had 5, and the year before that 2), but I think that since I'm not at all scientifically inclined, I have a much better chance of doing well. I have decent SATs, I think (2300 on my first try last year, and I'm taking it again this fall, along with some SAT II's), and I've done fairly well (4s and 5s) on all the AP tests I've taken, but I didn't take the AP Physics test.<br>
Extracurriculars: Longtime member of two dance groups (one ballet, one classical Indian), with various distinctions and awards. Officer of a cultural group at our school. Helped organize a fundraiser for victims of the earthquake last year.</p>