Can I get into Columbia SEAS?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm going to be a senior this fall at a public suburban high school in Michigan, and I'm probably going to go to U of M, but I would like to know if I should set my sights on some other more prestigious schools (not to say michigan isn't prestigious). I'm going into engineering: probably industrial, civil, or environmental, and Columbia has all three majors and it's engineering program seems to be pretty highly ranked. I also like the idea of living in NYC. Btw, I know I don't have many extracurriculars, so yeah...</p>

<p>My stats:
Class rank- 5/471
GPA (unweighted): 4.0...
ACT: 32</p>

<p>Ap classes:
Gov (11th) - 3
Physics B (11th) - 5
Physics C (12th)
Literature (12th)
Calculus (12th)</p>

<p>I've also been in a special Math/Science program since 9th grade. I guess it would be considered "honors." It's basically where all the smart high school kids in my school district go.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Freshman Link Crew (only 11th lol)
NHS(only 12th lol)
Mu Alpha Theta (11th & 12th)
Ski Club (10th &11th maybe 12th, learned to snowboard and went snowboarding a few times)
Community Service ( 80-100 hrs before I graduate) - this summer I'm volunteering at my county's food bank by sorting food and packing boxes. I'll probably volunteer at a hospital in the fall if it's not too late to put it on my application; otherwise, I'll find somewhere else to volunteer this summer.</p>

<p>Well I know the first answer is going to be "There's a million other kids with your same stats. Find a way to stand out." Well this is all I've got. No five page list of pretentious clubs or some mind blowing life story about overcoming adversity. I just want to know if I should even apply. I also don't know if I should bother to take SAT II's just for Columbia's application.</p>

2

<p>You have a shot, just like everyone else. I don’t think there’s anything you have that will really make you stand out in the application process, but you never know. Write some good essays – maybe the adcom gods will be nice to you! Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the support, bump</p>

4

<p>ECs are all about how their presented, so don’t sweat it there but you need to raise that 32 or try the SATs.</p>

5

<p>Are you sure I need to raise my ACT? Online it says the middle 50% of scores is 28-33
<a href="http://www..com/columbia_university/rankings/%5B/url%5D">http://www..com/columbia_university/rankings/</a></p>

6

<p>A higher ACT or equivalent SAT will certainly help your chances - pretty much guaranteed. It is probably the single, quantifiable, and easiest method of improving your chances. Especially when you already have your EC’s and grades down.</p>

7

<p>What if I do well on my sat subject tests? Will that help?</p>

8

<p>I’m not familiar with the schools you are applying to, but some schools don’t require SAT IIs if you take the ACT.</p>

<p>So perhaps two birds with one stone, if you mind the cliche.</p>

9

<p>I know. Michigan doesn’t require sat II’s, but most of the really selective schools (including all the ivies) require the act or sat AND a couple subject tests. For engineering I have to take math and physics, which are my best subjects.</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>While this is indeed true, it’s important to understand that over 40% of every class has a hook. They are recrited athletes, legacie, URMs, staff kids and the rich and famous. A candidate without a hook is far more likely to have stats above the 75th percentile.</p>

11

<p>Awww crap, I found this on the Columbia website:</p>

<p>“The middle 50% of admitted students scored between a 31 and a 35 on the ACT.” (class of 2012)</p>

<p>Well there goes my hopes and dreams…I guess there’s always Cornell</p>