Can't believe I am doing this, but... Chance me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Never in my wildest dreams did I think I was capable of getting admitted into Columbia, but my guidance counsellor said that she believes I should consider it and apply (she is a Columbia alum herself). I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough chance % or mark it as a mega high reach, very high reach, and so on. Here is a list of what I did in high school:</p>

<p><em>Applying to Columbia College</em></p>

<p>Academic---</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.7/4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.1 (As of end of Junior Year)
Class Rank: Top 8-9% of Class by GPA
SAT Score: Try 1: 2080, Try 2: 2250, Superscore: 2300
School Type: Suburban, Diverse, Public NJ</p>

<p>GPA Trend: Improvement from Freshman to Sophomore year and big improvement between sophomore and junior year.</p>

<p>As of Junior Year: taken 6 AP classes and 9 Honors classes (covering all the academic subjects, some electives, and 1 world language [world language honors starts at level 4] )</p>

<p>Passed 6 AP exams with scores of 4 and 5 (not the same exams necessarily as my classes)</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule: 6 AP classes</p>

<p>Subject Tests (Estimate):</p>

<p>Math: 780-800
Biology: 740-780
US History/Literature: 740-780</p>

<p>Extracurricular---</p>

<p>-Eagle Scout Candidate (Project to finish by October-November)
-President of a Science related club (one of the largest student organizations in the district, if not the largest)
-Captain of Debate Team (Varsity)
-Held multiple leadership positions in Boy Scouts since 9th grade (6-month terms, the highest position being equivalent to Vice President)
-DECA awards at State and Regional Level
-Science Olympiad Medals at Regional Level
-National Honors Society
-String Orchestra all 4 years (every year since 4th grade)
-Tri-M Music Honors Society
-World Language Honors Society
-Model Congress (Award)
-Model UN</p>

<p>Volunteer Work---</p>

<p>-Volunteer at an after school program
-Volunteer at School Library
-Volunteer at local elementary/middle school science fair multiple years (two years as a mentor included)
-Summer Volunteer at County Library summer before 9th-11th grade
-Total Volunteer Hours: 280-350</p>

<p>Other/Misc./Experiences---</p>

<p>-Worked full-time in the summer after junior year as an intern in a local firm helping to develop some innovative financial software</p>

<p>Background---</p>

<p>-Race: Asian/other, South Asian</p>

<p>-Family Income Bracket: 120-180k/ annum</p>

<p>Recommendations/Referrals (Estimate)---</p>

<p>Recommendation 1- 9/10
Recommendation 2- 8/10
Counselor Recommendation- 8/10</p>

2

<p>What are you individual scores for SAT sections? Esp strive for each section score > 740 (esp for an ORM like Asian).</p>

3

<p>sgopal:</p>

<p>My highest score in each section from 2 tries: 780 CR, 740 M, 780 W</p>

4

<p>Bump</p>

5

<p>SAT scores are good. Don’t need to retake. Good luck, looks like you have a decent shot.</p>

6

<p>It is a reach for everyone. The school has a sub-7% admittance rate. </p>

<p>Class profile: <a href=“http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/classof2017_profile.pdf”>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/classof2017_profile.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>I would rate it as a reach-high reach. Not mega or very high. But it is Columbia, so it is a reach for anyone. You should certainly apply. I think with your scores and ECs, your essays would be what makes you fall on either the admit or reject piles. Of particular interest is the upward trend in your grades. Is there a reason for this? You have discovered a love of learning? Had a role model that inspired you? Developed new interests? Discovered new opportunities? This is something they would be interested in and would want to know why. I think someone with a huge upward trend from Bs in freshman to all As in senior and 5s in AP who says they developed a great interest in science and so worked more and did extra curricular activities to do with science would stand a better chance at admission than the person who had perfect grades since Freshman but no real passion. </p>

8

<p>I would say I grew more interested in learning and starting valuing education more- and stopped taking things for granted. I basically matured, and I still am doing so.</p>

9

<p>Then this should be a key focus in one of your admissions essays. You have developed a love of learning and realized the opportunities you have and have taken advantage of them. Now you search to develop this passion further and would value the opportunities that Columbia offers. Not worded like that, but communicating that message. Good luck! I will be watching you to see what happens!</p>

10

<p>I agree with the above poster, make that a central theme. I did almost the exact same thing but what changed me was my discovery of how much I enjoyed the topic I’m now majoring in.</p>