<p>I have wanted to get into Columbia since I was in 8th grade. I love the city and Columbia is so gorgeous and has such great opportunities. I've been preparing ever since by:
Doing sports (ballet)
Volunteering (200 hours)
Joining clubs (3, all academic related, but it's about quality not quantity!)
Making a personal relationship with my teachers so I can get good recommendations
Taking as many AP classes as I can fit in my schedule (I will be graduating with 10)
But alas, even though I worked really hard, I have an extreme case of test anxiety so my GPA isn't very good.
Overall I have a 3.8 GPA (unweighted) and even though I studied I still didn't do good on my ACTs (30).
I have passion and I have ability (even though my grades don't show it) but I know I belong at Columbia.
It's my dream to attend Columbia, but I'm beginning to think that there is no possibility for that.
Is there any chance that I can get accepted, and is there anything more I can do? Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Are you an URM?</p>
<p>No 
but my parents are immigrants (Ukraine) and they both didn’t go to college in the US so I’m first generation American if that’s something</p>
<p>You’re grades are fine. But you might want to check the heop program at Columbia if you’re poor like 40k for 5 people</p>
<p>Your grades aren’t bad at all. Even if they aren’t top of the line, ECs, recommendations, and essays can easily make up a deficit in GPA and test scores. If you show dedication and results from your ECs and highlight them in your essay, it shows the school that you have a drive.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help everyone! One thing I need help with: how do you make yourself unique in a college essay?</p>
<p>3.8 is not considered a low grade. It is within normal range for acceptance. There are a lot of other things that matter, however, for acceptance to schools with extremely low admit rates. Even if you were at the top of the applicant pool for gpa, there would be a very good chance not to get in. </p>
<p>So don’t just pick a college based on what you wanted in 8th grade. What does that have to do with anything? Focus on a good college search so you will have good options once those acceptance letters come in. Maybe you will get into Columbia but most likely not. It may be a pleasant surprise.</p>
<p>To make yourself unique in an essay you tell a personal story that shows your personality and character traits well. This is something many applicants don’t do well. They just don’t take the time. So a creative, insightful essay is very important to help your chances.</p>
<p>your GPA is good, but your ACT is a tad low, perhaps try to retake it? Considering that you’re a first gen college student, you might be able to spin in a great story and get in. Your chances aren’t dismal at all</p>
<p>The way I read it the OP isn’t first gen for college but for the US. And the at this point is below the 25%ile for Columbia. That’s more than a Tad low, especially for a school with an acceptance rate <10%. Perhaps if the OP want’s to major in Dance it might make a difference.</p>
<p>^^ I agree. Unlike most colleges, Columbia does not publish a Common Data Set, but I did find this profile for the Class of 2015: <a href=“http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/classprofile.pdf[/url]”>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/classprofile.pdf</a></p>
<p>77% of Columbia’s incoming class had ACT of 32 to 36. So, currently the OP’s ACT score of 30 means that s/he will be fighting to be admitted to Columbia’s bottom 21%. To get accepted, the OP must provide Columbia with other non-academic reasons why they should be admitted over other students with similar test scores. Dance may make a difference, but other than that, I’m not seeing any “wow” factors.</p>
<p>The NYC schools (my impression) are not just sensitive to “dreamed since 8th grade” - which tells them zip about your ability to fit and thrive; they are also sensitive to when kids confuse a college that is the right choice and their more specific love for NYC. </p>
<p>I don’t see that OP has really looked into Columbia. She “knows” she belongs there but the challenge is to “show” that to the adcoms. This is all about dreams.</p>
<p>You can’t answer “Why Columbia?” (regardless of whether they have this specific question,) based on middle school dreams and a love for the City. You have to get cranking and match yourself. To the college.</p>
<p>I do not think you are fist generation if your parents have degrees from Ukraine.</p>
<p>Ok you’re all understanding me wrong: in 8th grade I had an obsession with NYC that continued until now and I wanted Columbia because it was in the city. But it’s not like I haven’t looked into Columbia since then! Of course I looked up Columbia, went on a tour, and still love it. I’m not basing this off of my 8th grade self, I just went on a tour this summer and still see myself being there. They have strong academics, a great community vibe, and the internship opportunities.
Also, I’m not saying that I am a first generation college student I’m saying I’m a first generation American.</p>
<p>Your GPA is actually not too low for an ivy, it is your ACT that is really on the low side! Give it your best shot… Good luck!</p>
<p>jaxi101: Regardless of where you apply to college, you need to know that your GPA and ACT are not in sync. A student with an unweighted 3.8 GPA, taking a rigorous course load, should have a higher ACT score. That kind of raises a red flag in the admissions process and Admissions Officers are going to ask themselves:</p>
<ol>
<li>When you took the ACT did you have test anxiety?</li>
<li>If your GPA is so high, but your ACT is not, did you take easy courses in high school to achieve your high GPA?</li>
<li>If your GPA is so high, but your ACT is not, is your high school not that rigorous?</li>
<li>Given that your ACT is below 75% of accepted students, will you be able to keep up with the workload at Columbia or a peer school?</li>
</ol>
<p>If you can, you should try to retake the ACT so that it’s in sync with your GPA.</p>
<p>Like I said, I have horrible test anxiety… I don’t know what I can do about it and that’s why my ACT is so low but I can’t do anything about it!</p>
<p>Get your GC to cover that. If teachers feel your performance and potential are high, but it’s tests that cream you, there are ways they can focus on strengths.</p>
<p>The 30 may not be as significant as the breakdown, vis-</p>
<p>If you can write very strong essays and maybe submit a video of you dancing, I would suggest Barnard College. It is a women’s college just right across the street from Columbia and is affiliated with Columbia. You can take classes at Columbia and use its resources, but Barnard has a dance major that Columbia doesn’t have. So maybe apply to both! :)</p>
<p>OP, what do you want to major in?</p>
<p>I do not want to major in dance… Not sure where that even came from. I think I want to major in history and journalism with a minor in creative writing. History will help me with law, journalism will allow me to have the ability to have a law talk show one day (if that ever works out) and creative writing is for my own pleasure (I’ve always loved writing and hope to one day write a novel).</p>