<p>I'm a rising junior and recently people (who are significantly knowledgeable in the admissions process) have told me that I don't have a chance of getting in in my high school average is an A. They say it must be an A+</p>
<p>Is this true??</p>
<p>And does Columbia care if I don't do any sports (other than dance and karate--both noncompetitive)?</p>
<p>And would it increase my chances of admissions if I participated in two ethnic dance groups or would it not make a difference?</p>
<p>The people who told you those things needs to get back to Earth. I got into Columbia with a 3.9 average, and didn't do sports. There are no set standards, every applicant is considered by their own merits. Just present your strengths well, and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>i think you should tell us who these "people" are so others can avoid their advice.</p>
<p>An A Average certainly won't keep you out (even a B average won't automatically destroy your chances)</p>
<p>I know plenty of people who got in without even having A averages. Don't worry. </p>
<p>(But if what you're saying is correct, which I'm 99.9999% sure is not, I'm screwed. I think I would have to go in the corner and cry if that were the case.)</p>
<p>dont even think bout it</p>
<p>oh damn, you're worried about having an A average? what???? I'm worried about the 89 I got in english this year. wow i must really suck</p>
<p>yea, when i heard it, i knew it sounded a bit extreme. but, it still managed to trouble me enough to ask everyone on here. thanks for your replies! they made me feel a lot better.</p>
<p>any opinions on the ethnic dance groups?</p>
<p>
[quote]
And does Columbia care if I don't do any sports (other than dance and karate--both noncompetitive)?</p>
<p>And would it increase my chances of admissions if I participated in two ethnic dance groups or would it not make a difference?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You've got to have remarkable ECs. You don't have to do anything in particular (sports, music, etc.) or check off certain "categories."</p>
<p>You're not going to get into Columbia because you did some dancing thing. However, it goes to your ECs in general.</p>
<p>once again, I'd like to remind people that I got in with a 3.3 unweighted GPA. It took two tries, ED to SEAS, and a good application otherwise, but it's possible. most successful applicants tend to have around a 3.9 though.</p>
<p>2 tries? Did you wait a year after HS, and apply again?</p>
<p>What's an A and what's an A+? They tend to vary among different schools.</p>
<p>in our school, it goes as follows:</p>
<p>A-: 90-92
A: 93-96
A+:97-100</p>
<p>
[quote]
2 tries? Did you wait a year after HS, and apply again?
[/quote]
it's a long story. the short answer is 'yes'. my senior year I was working full-time, taking the one class I needed to take to graduate in the evenings. I applied to 12 top schools around the country, went 0-for-12. columbia and cornell waitlisted me. it sucked, but I wasn't about to compromise - so I worked for another year. Actually visited Columbia, fell in love, applied ED that fall, and got in. At that point the next 9 months seemed like they'd never get over with.</p>
<p>what about a 3.85..?UW</p>
<p>"(even a B average won't automatically destroy your chances)"</p>
<p>It would take a LOT to compensate for a 3.0.</p>