<p>I am only a freshmen so I understand that posting this is rather pointless. However, I would like some tips so that I can direct myself in a direction that ends up with me at Columbia. I am from NY and nothing about my ethnicity sets me apart from most people. With that being said, many people in my family went to Columbia. Thus far, I have around a 3.8 GPA. There is no ranking system at my school. My school offers a limited amount of honors classes for freshmen so this year I am not in any. However, next year, I will be in honors English and French. With the exception of math, all my other classes will be the highest they can be. As for ECs, I play JV lacrosse and JV soccer and I competitively sail. I play soccer outside of school on an elite team. I am only in three clubs and I do not have special roles in those clubs, nor will I have special roles in them next year. I take art classes and will have a portfolio by the time I am applying, although I am not sure how much that will mean to Columbia. That is basically it. This summer, I am doing two different programs at a college. I will do community service and will most likely have had an internship before I apply. Additionally, I hope to have a role as a peer leader once I am a junior, though I am not sure that will happen based on the fact that I am quite in my current sessions (all freshmen are in the program and we have older peer leaders) and the people who pick peer leaders don't seem to value the quite people when it comes to being given this role. Tips to steer me in a better direction? I know nothing is quite special, but I still have some time. Is there anything area that you think I could focus on that will set me apart?</p>