Demographics: Male, half black/half Mexican(i know), super competitive high school in Michigan
ACT: 34
SAT: 1560
SAT II: about to take
UW GPA: 3.95/4
Coursework: Full IB school, including HL math
Awards:
National Merit Finalist/National Hispanic Scholar(probable)
Bunch of Science Olympiad stuff
1st place financial plan in some obscure business camp
Extracurriculars:
Secretary, Black Student Association
Board Member, Mock Trial
Head Tutor, Math Lab
Science Olympiad
Mow Lawns every week
Worked as a tutor at Kumon
Gave a speech in front of the school about Housing Discrimination(not really an EC, I’m just proud of it)
NHS, SHS
Peer Corps
I know my ECs are mediocre, is it even worth applying to ivies? I feel like my race doesn’t make up for it enough
Ivies reject thousands of highly qualified applicants. However, the fact that your are applying ED should definitely help you, and your stats are only going to help. I think you have a chance of getting in. Good luck! Maybe chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/2006599-what-are-my-chances-ohio-state-michigan-nyu-cwru-george-washington-northwestern-tulane.html#latest
Probably a decent shot tbh, and I’d certainly bet money that you’ll get into at least one of the Ivies (if you apply to all of them)
that would be lit
I think the highlight of your application should be how you mow the lawn every week. That’s an excellent EC many people don’t have.
Your SAT is great, and your UW GPA is also good when paired with a rigorous courseload. Your extracurriculars show that you have a range of interests and you have leadership, but I would be sure to find something about what you do that is truly unique, since things like academic clubs and student associations are commonplace.
From a purely statistical standpoint, Columbia is a reach no matter who you are, which I’m sure you’ve heard before. However, you’re definitely in the running and I think you have a good chance relative to the entire pool of applicants.
@AverageTeen2000 i live around a lot of rich people that pay people to mow lawns for them, but honestly I love it. Great for clearing the mind, if you know what I mean
bump because im bored lol
You may have considered this already, but mowing lawns would be a great essay! Lots to talk about class/race, which seems to be one of your interests (given your speech and position at your school’s BSA and your username). Also reveals a lot about your character that you are able to find some zen in the midst of all those lawn clippings… haha. (I hate yard work!)
As far as ECs, while it is great that you do a lot of stuff (as long as you find it rewarding), you may want to streamline a bit when it comes to your apps. I would definitely “brand” you as a socially-conscious/“woke” STEM dude. Highlight the ECs in those areas above the others. Business and Mock Trial – while worthwhile – may “muddy” your application unless you can find a thread to unite them with the above. I mean, this could easily be done if you’re into social justice law, etc… If you don’t have a unifying thread OR a significant interest, definitely put these on your app, but maybe further down and don’t necessarily elaborate on them in your essays.
For better or worse, I think that the kids who consistently are most likely to “win the lottery” of ultra-elite college admissions are the ones who can coherently package themselves and their story. It doesn’t mean that you don’t pursue any and all interests, but you don’t necessarily have to bring all of these to your app. If you can do that successfully, Columbia is a REAL POSSIBILITY which is really the best anyone can say (there is some merit to the lottery analogy, after all). If you apply to a bevy of similarly-elite schools, you’ll very likely be admitted to at least one (this isn’t to say that you should not also apply to a range of targets and safeties). Good luck!
I actually wrote one of my essays about my lawn-mowing service and the people I’ve met doing that. It was pretty hilarious. I let my guidance counselor read it through and she was laughing pretty hard. Just shows you can take a seemingly dull topic and (hopefully) make it work.
I dare say you will get in for sure.