Chance a student/web developer for Columbia ED...I'll chance back

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a Canadian student and will be applying to schools this fall. Here are my stats, any help will be great</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Indian, but with Canadian citizenship</p>

<p>SAT I:
Total - 2260
Math - 730
Critical Reading - 730
Writing - 800</p>

<p>SAT II: I haven't taken these yet, but am expecting 750+ in Biology, Math II, and Chemistry.</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.9 (This is according to the Canadian grading system where an A is 80+...but my cumulative percentage average is 85%.)</p>

<p>Rank: My school doesn't rank, but I'm in the top 5% of my class out of about 500 people.</p>

<p>Courses Taken:</p>

<p>9th Grade:
Math, Science, English, French, Phys. Ed, Technology, Music, Geography</p>

<p>10th Grade:
Math, Science, English, French, Phys. Ed, Technology, Canadian History, Civics/Careers</p>

<p>11th Grade:
Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Personal Fitness, Technology, English, Law (and American History in the summer)</p>

<p>12th Grade:
Same as 11th grade, but I took Calculus instead of Law.</p>

<p>In my school, we don't have any AP/IB classes; instead, we have 3 streams: University, Mixed, and College. University is considered to be like Honors, Mixed is normal, and College is below level. All my classes have been University level.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
DECA (9, 10, 11, 12): I've made it to the Provincial Level every single time; last time I came top 20 out of about 100 teams. I will be on the Executive Team next year.</p>

<p>Investors of Tomorrow (11, 12): It's just like a mock investing club; stock prices change in real time and you're given $1,000,000 to invest. I will be on the Executive Team for this next year too.</p>

<p>Debate Club (11, 12): This is not really inter-school, it might be next year; it was started during my Junior year and we're preparing to take part in the school district competitions.</p>

<p>Intramural Basketball (10,11, 12): Mini leagues in my school; usually 3v3 teams. It runs throughout the year.</p>

<p>Senior Basketball Team (12): Regular basketball in our school.</p>

<p>Bodybuilding (9, 10, 11, 12): I don't know if they would really count this as an extracurricular, but I've been lifting weights for 3 years and it has become a big part of what defines me. I could probably use this to show changes within my persona such as self-confidence, etc.</p>

<p>School Magazine (9, 10, 11, 12): I regularly wrote articles for my school magazine, and worked within the technical department (eg. layout, design, etc.)</p>

<p>Music: I played Alto Saxophone since grade 5; I was in the school band up until Grade 9, when I had to give it up in school. I still play outside of school.</p>

<p>Web Design Company (5 years): I run a web design company known as Total Pixelation Studios (you can see it at Total</a> Pixelation Studios: Infinite Possibilites | Web Design, Web Development, Graphic Design, Print Design). I've had about 12 clients and have made thousands of dollars...it's a big part of my life, and I'm hoping universities will recognize my dedication and versatility through this. I might be able to get a Recommendation Letter from one of my clients, if that is helpful.</p>

<p>Tutorial Website: I run a personal and professional blog that offers various tutorials for web design, and it has helped me to make a name for myself within the web design community. You can visit it at Apoorv</a> Vaidya. Also, if you Google my name, it comes up :D</p>

<p>Community Service: I volunteered for about 80 hours at the local YMCA, helping in the children programs.</p>

<p>Schools I am going to apply to:
- Early Decision: Columbia
- Reaches: Harvard, Cornell, and one of: Princeton/Yale/Stanford/Brown
- 50/50: Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, and one other...recommendations?
- Safeties: UT Austin, UT Dallas, and one other...any recommendations?</p>

<p>I am pursuing a major in Biomedical Sciences, but I've been told I should, at least while I apply, pick a major that plays towards my achievements (eg. a major in computer sciences or business due to my web design company). I can then change it to Biomedical Sciences after. Is this something that can be done?</p>

<p>Thanks for any help, and I'll chance you back! :D</p>

2

<p>Columbia ED=big reach</p>

3

<p>How come? I’m just wondering where I can improve my application in order to offset any negativities it may portray.</p>

4

<p>GPA, rank and scores look low and you’re an ORM from a well represented country. With sub 9% admit rates, or under 5% for an unhooked candidate, Columbia is tough with anything below median and no hook.</p>

<p>For a good shot you would want to be val or sal with above 770 in both CR or math. To get in without a hook ED you need to be in danger of going to HYPS instead.</p>

5

<p>decent SAT scores, solid ECs, i think columbia wouldn’t be too much of a reach. But i think alot will depend on your essays.</p>

6

<p>Hmm…I went to a US college admissions conference a few weeks ago, and they gave out a list of acceptance rates for the top 100 colleges according to US News. Columbia ED’s acceptance rate was 18%.</p>

7

<p>The vast majority of those accepted at Columbia and the other top colleges that have ED are “hooked.” They are recruited athletes, legacies, staff kids, development candidates. These groups, along with URMs, comprise 40% of every class.</p>

8

<p>Reach
Columbia
Harvard
Yale
Stanford
Princeton
UC Berkeley (because you’re OOS)</p>

<p>Match
Cornell
Brown
Johns Hopkins
Northwestern
Could also check out: NYU, Lehigh, Bucknell U, Cal Poly SU: SLO, GWU</p>

<p>Safety
UT Austin
UT Dallas
Could also check out: Carnegie Mellon, U Virginia, Boston U, Clemson U </p>

<p>I noticed that UT Austin is 95% in-state students. To me, that doesn’t scream “diversity,” and it may not be a good match for you. Look carefully into stats like these and then VISIT to see whether you might really fit in. Safeties don’t have to be public schools. I highly recommend visiting your reaches to narrow them down. You certainly have a shot at Columbia and ED is better than regular. Remember that you self-report all other colleges that you’re applying to and a standard “Ivy net” may hurt you.</p>

<p>Many of the additional schools I listed for matches are actually low matches, so you should definitely keep doing research and see if you can find some better fits for yourself.</p>

9

<p>While I agree with the other posters, don’t be discouraged to apply ED to Columbia. I do know of more than a couple unhooked applicants who got in with similar stats. You need to remember that there are a lot of applicants like you. Emphasize what YOU bring to Columbia in your essays, interviews, application.</p>

10

<p>I’m definitely still going to apply to Columbia ED; it’s not like it’ll hurt me.</p>

<p>Also, there are a few agencies here that help with college applications; they help about 25-30 kids go to Ivies each year. Now I don’t know if that’s due to the agencies or due to the fact that the kids are amazing, but would you guys recommend getting their help? It’s about $800 for the whole thing, I believe.</p>

11

<p>The agency is not contacting the colleges on your behalf if that’s what you mean. If they are good counselors, they can help you prepare a good application.</p>

<p>ED can hurt if you’re planning to try for higher scores. Best to apply when you know you have the scores to be competitive. You can get rejected ED and not have the better shot with higher scores.</p>