Chance an Aussie Columbia hopeful?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Hey there -</p>

<p>I'm an Australian citizen hopefully applying to Colmubia for 2011 entry.
I recently sat my ACTs and scored as follows:</p>

<p>Composite: 33
Reading: 36
English: 36
Science: 32
Maths: 27 (mainly because the curriculum taught in Australia does not cover a lot of the ACT content)
Essay: 11</p>

<p>Would you regard this as competitive enough for somewhere like Columbia?</p>

<p>(I know my maths score is horrible - I'm actually ranked 1st at a super competitive school for maths in Australia - my score is mainly because the curriculum covers totally different material! I'm hoping to sit a Maths Level 2 SAT II to counteract this score, but regardless, do you think they'll hate this ACT so much regardless of my school record in maths?)</p>

<p>To contextualise other aspects of my application: -</p>

<ul>
<li>Will graduate in the top 1% of my state (1st in several subjects at an extremely competitive girls' school)</li>
<li>State Champion/National finalist Model UN Security Council</li>
<li>National Finalist Moden UN General Assembly</li>
<li>Published article in the National Times on British/Australian politics</li>
<li>Work experience at a record label; have also been professionally hired to produce a music video for EMI Records (not out of connections or anything sneaky like that)</li>
<li>Have been to two summer camps in the US in 2008 and 2009 (one being at Yale)</li>
<li>Deputy Head Prefect</li>
<li>Executive Director of Marketing in a student-run business program (we recorded a return on investment for shareholders)</li>
<li>Varsity Soccer and Indoor Soccer</li>
<li>Volunteer hours (surf lifesaving)</li>
</ul>

<p>Am I competitive? (Being in Oz, I don't have a great idea of the other sorts of kids who apply!)</p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

2

<p>you would be competitive, but the big issue is that columbia is need-aware for international students. if you require financial support, it is a more rigorous evaluation process. if you do not require support, you’ll be treated like any other applicant.</p>

<p>for more info: [International</a> Financial Aid | Columbia University Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/international/finaid.php]International”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/international/finaid.php)</p>

3

<p>Looks like you have a pretty good shot, you don’t blow me away academically, but your overall profile seems very strong. It seems like you are highly devoted and accomplished in everything that you do outside the classroom, and at least from this profile you come off as ‘cool’, which I think helps a lot in a college admissions. Your ACT is honestly fine for any college, there is little incremental benefit of doing better. Your maths score isn’t appalling and will is less consequential with good math grades in school / satIIs.</p>

<p>I know you’re yale seca, but I think Columbia is a great fit and that you should look into us more. Also, our Model UN team here is probably top 3/5 in the country and ridiculously fun.</p>

<p>While Columbia is need-aware for internationals, it doesn’t ruin chances, something like ~35% of internationals are on financial aid, whereas 50% of the regular student body is on financial aid. That’s not a huge differential, so it is more difficult to get in as an international applying for aid, but not by a huge margin. On average internationals also receive more aid than domestic students.</p>

4

<p>Ah I wouldn’t need Financial Aid so that would probably be a bonus then I guess :)</p>