CC ED Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I know there are so many of these, but I feel that I may be one of the candidates who are on the edge so check it out.</p>

<p>SAT:2140 (CR670 M780 W690 Essay:12)</p>

<p>ACT:32 (M:35 R:35 Sci:30 W:28 Essay:10)</p>

<p>SAT IIs: Bio 670 Math2C 780 </p>

<p>GPA: Overall a 4.2, but I have been on a decline, not very strong first quarter of senior year either. This is what kills me the most I think.</p>

<p>Rank: No Rankings</p>

<p>Other stats: Took architecture course last summer at California College of Arts.</p>

<p>EC: All Student Body Co-President, Orchestra Concertmaster, Varsity Golf Captain, Tons of Community Service, Worked 4 years as assistant researcher at UCLA Biochem labs on HIV/AIDS research, Church Group 4 years, Out of school string quartet (First chair violin) 4 years</p>

<p>Essays: College Counselors loved it, although it is somewhat of a risk as it delves into a childhood anecdote, but the strength revolves around the humor and the overall message.</p>

<p>Teacher Recs: Both very close teachers writing rec's and one extra from my headmaster/principal who I've known well since my freshman year.</p>

<p>Counselor Rec: Again, not allowed to see, but not as close of a relationship.</p>

<p>Hook (if any): Leadership and strong commitment in several activities(seems kind of cliche though, I feel everyone has these same or equal activities)</p>

<p>State or Country: Los Angeles, California</p>

<p>School Type: Very competitive small private/independent school. 100 kids per class, 2006 matriculation, 10 penn, 5 stanford, 3 princeton, 4 cornell, (you get the idea, although strong ties with columbia not shown, probably 1-2 kids matriculate to columbia each year.</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Korean</p>

<p>Gender: Male</p>

2

<p>I think that you may have accurately described yourself as being on "the edge." Your SAT Is and the Bio SAT II are low for Columbia. On the other hand, your ECs could boost you. Seems as if the downward trend in grades could be a tie-breaker (as if I really knew what the adcoms would do!). But, then, a killer essay and outstanding recommendations could redeem things.</p>

<p>If you'd like, I could read your essay and give you better feedback. (I'm a parent; have read several essays for CC posters.) I'd also be interested in knowing more about your ECs -- although I guess that you have posted pretty much the limit of what Columbia's adcom will see, so maybe my knowing more details is moot re: an assessment of your chances.</p>

<p>Have you had an interview? If so, how did it go?</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I did have an interview and it went pretty well. As for my essay, don't take this personally, but I'd rather not have it floating around, and lastly, I talked to my regional Columbia admissions officer, and after having a conversation solely on music, he decided it would be best for me to send in a copy of a recording I had made on the violin. I was pretty happy with it. It's already been evaluated by Columbia's musical director, but I'm apparently not allowed to be informed of the feedback. Maybe this will help swing my application towards an acceptance?</p>

4

<p>The fact that the regional guy asked you to send in the recording is a good sign. Presumably, he wouldn't waste his own time or that of the rest of the admissions office, so he must have thought that the recording would be genuinely evaluative/helpful. Stinks about your not being able to have any feedback, though.</p>

<p>No personal offense taken at all about the essay... You are wisely acting from an abundance of caution.</p>

<p>A good interview may also tip things in your favor -- Certainly couldn't hurt!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Hans, You are exactly the on the border candidate. I think what could help is that your school seems competitive so that could take some of the GPA worries away.</p>

<p>I have a question though. Reading Columbia's Admissions guidelines they, unlike other colleges, were pretty strict about wanting only 2 recs and that they would not prefer anymore. I was kind of bummed out since I have one other rec besides the 2 that I wish to send. Did you talk to your admissions officera bout it? Any suggestions to me? thanks...and good luck to you.</p>

6

<p>I'm sure I read that also about the 2 recs, but I disregarded it(pretty stupid on my part)and I did not communicate with my admissions officer, but I did this because the third rec was from someone who knew me well, and happened to be the headmaster at my school. Worst case scenario, they throw the rec out (might make me seem somewhat ignorant too). If I'm on the border? maybe they'll take it out of the trash and read up on it. Also, I have heard that some competition comes from within the school in terms of other candidates who apply to the same school ED. I was wondering how true that is? (Was one of the minor reasons I changed ED schools from Penn to CU, 10 people applying early to Penn and 2 to Columbia)</p>

7

<p>I'm not trying to put you down but..admission officers might think your experience as assistant researcher at UCLA Biochem labs on HIV/AIDS research is largely due to parental connections, especially because your SAT II Biology score is relatively low (670)... </p>

<p>How did you take part of such research as a highschooler when there must be hundreds of other scientists competing for that spot? To convince admission officers, you should raise your biology scores...also, admin officers look more at your chemistry scores, especially when you are thinking premed or a bio-related major..</p>

8

<p>I also think that you're a border candidate. Your SAT I is in range for math, but writing and reading is lacking. Your Bio SAT II is probably also out of range for the subject tests. Granted, your leadership looks extremely strong, and that might be enough to get you in. It's a total crapshoot, but from what I hear Columbia ED decisions come on December 7th, which is in a mere 5 days. All the best, I'm hoping you get in because from reading your information I feel you would be an asset to Columbia.</p>