Can I get into Columbia? Preferably ED.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Okay. So I really love Columbia and I am wondering if I have any shot to get in Early Decision. What else can I do to improve my chances? I haven't taken my ACT/SAT yet and I know that is a MAJOR part of the decision. I am hoping to be a political science major. Here are my other stats:
Gender: Female
Race: White
GPA: 4.6 weighted and 4.0 unweighted
Class Rank: 2nd out of about 430. </p>

<p>Course History:</p>

<p>Middle School Credits:
Algebra 1 Hon, Geometry Hon, and Biology Hon</p>

<p>9th grade:
AP Human Geography
Chemistry 1 Hon
Algebra 2 Hon
Theatre 1
Improvisation 1
Spanish 1 Hon
English 1 Hon</p>

<p>10th Grade:
AP World History
Theatre 2
AICE Biology (AICE is kind of like AP but it is out of Cambridge)
AICE Thinking Skills
Spanish 2 Hon
Pre Calculus Hon
English 2 Hon (1st semester)
AICE General Paper (2nd semester)</p>

<p>11th grade:
AP Calculus
AP US History
AP Environmental Science
AP Language & Composition
AP European History
AP Psychology
Theatre 3 Hon</p>

<p>AP Scores (so far):
AP Human Geo - 4
AP World History - 4</p>

<p>Do colleges even look at AICE scores?</p>

<p>This summer I am taking Physics and Spanish at the local college.</p>

<p>I am projected to get 5's on AP Exams for US History, Psychology, Language, Environmental Science.
I'm projected to get 4's on Calculus and European History.</p>

<p>On my ACT I'm hoping for a 33 at least.
SAT I'm hoping for 2200 at least (?) and 760s at least on my 2 subject tests.</p>

<p>My ECs up until this year:
Clubs:
International Thespian Society (ITS) Officer: District One Representative
Mu Alpha Theta (math club) Officer: Historian (thinking I will be VP or President next year)
Young Democrats of America (probably will be president next year)
National Honor Society (trying for an officer position next year)
Science National Honor Society
Student Advisory Council Representative
Environmentally Conscious Youth (only for one year though)</p>

<p>Other EC's:
Viking Mascot
For plays/musicals:
-Romeo & Juliet: Katherine
-Hairspray: Brenda
-Once on this Island: Mama Euralie
-Shakespeare 2.0: Lavinia/Cassius
-The Children's Hour: Mrs. Tilford
-Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Sophia
-Procrastination: Mom
-Thoroughly Modern Millie: Mrs. Meers
Church Youth Group (worship leader)
As District Rep for ITS I organize the entire District 1 Competition Festival for drama in Florida. Its 3 days long and there are about 800 students who attend.</p>

<p>Work Experience:
The Donut Hole (restaurant)
Old Navy</p>

<p>Awards/Recognitions:
Viking Scholar (all 3 years)
Critics Choice Playwrighting (I wrote a play and it won #1 out of everyone else at districts and I will be directing and producing it as a school production next year)
Outstanding Freshman (ITS)
Outstanding Sophomore (ITS)
Outstanding Junior (ITS)
Honor Thespian
Straight Superior set design at Districts and state
Straight superior monologue at districts
Straight superior duet musical at districts (we are taking it to state)
Straight superior small group musical at districts
2nd Place and straight superior one-act for Shakespeare 2.0 at districts (and straight superiors at state)
2nd Place and straight superior one-act for Procrastination at districts
Best Ensemble Cast at districts
Best Technical achievement at districts
State award winning mainstage production of The Children's Hour</p>

<p>Community Service:
About 150 hours</p>

<p>Some of this may superfluous info. I also know I could get killer letters of rec from my principal, teachers, and guidance counselors.</p>

<p>So do I have a shot if I get all of my projected scores on ACT/SAT?</p>

<p>What can better my chances of getting in?</p>

2

<p>You’re already at the caliber of kid where 30 years ago, you would likely have been accepted. Are you a junior and have yet to take the ACT or SAT? I would get on that pronto, you don’t want to take it in senior year. Considering your achievements it shouldn’t be too difficult to do well on those tests, but really you should sign up for the april/june tests (may is going to be hard with your AP load). You have a TON of ECs, it can be a little difficult to sort through them all. Perhaps focus most on gunning for the leadership positions that align well with your major if you’re set on political science. Columbia (along with all the ivies) does favor URM, so if that is a factor it could help. Start thinking about your essays (although you do have time for that later). Basically, you aren’t a recruited athlete or legacy, but you’re otherwise a great student, as I’m sure you already know. Yes you have a shot, and a good one at that, but it’ll mostly depend on their class shaping and the admissions officer’s opinion more than anything else. Feel free to contact me if you’d like. -from a current senior recently admitted to Columbia with a likely letter </p>

3

<p>As an alumni interviewer, I’d say you have a strong chance if you hit the SATs out of the park. However, I interviewed a young lady with academic credentials equivalent to yours and an even more impressive theatrical resume, and she got rejected. Made me suspect that thespian prowess just doesn’t ring the bell – or didn’t that year. From the success rate of other applicants I’ve interviewed, I also suspect that poverty & hardship stories work. GL to you.</p>