<p>I'm currently a freshman at UVA. While its certainly a decent school in its own right it is not really on the same level as Columbia is in terms of the prestige/quality of education/ quality of the student body ect. Addtionally, I prefer living in a more urban setting.</p>
<p>HS Stats:
3.9UW GPA taking virtually the more difficult course load possible at a private competitive HS
Tests
ACT: 33, SAT 2200(Math 770, CR 730, Writing 700)
SAT II's: Math (750), US History (770), Physics(800)
AP: US History (5), Calc BC (5), Micro Econ (5), Macro Econ (4), Physics C (4), ENGL lit (4), Chem. (3) </p>
<p>The 33 Act and 2200 SAT I got without any studying and with only taking each test once so when this time around when I actually do study and take the tests multiple times if necessary I think expecting a 2300-2350 SAT and 34-35 ACT is fairly reasonable. I could also prob raise the Math SAT II to an 800 if I retook it. </p>
<p>Current Classes:
STAT 212
ECON 202 (Macro)
300 level American Lit class
200 level writing class
Span 201 </p>
<p>Getting a 4.0 this semester should not be a problem. At worst I'd imagine 1-2 A-'s but I don't think that is going to happen. </p>
<p>College EC's:
-Wrote a business plan and helped secure donations for a health clinic in Africa
-Club Ski Racing
-Member of my school's invest club which has 500k AUM
-Will get involved in voltunteer work within the next couple of weeks
-Involved in some math/business based research project. I'm just waiting to hear what is avalible. Will be working very close with a professor, so I'll have at least 1 very solid letter of recomendation assuming everythign goes well.
-I started an currently manage an online retail operation </p>
<p>I realize that columbia is extraordinarily difficult to externally transfer into. If, however, I pull off the 4.0 this semester, raise the test scores, follow through with the EC's, and a write convincing application essay do I have a shot? I not what can I do between now and March to improve my chances?</p>
<p>Right now I'm thinking the only really "hook" I have is my involvement in the health clinic. I'd guess that having a a very active role in helping to start a health clinic in africa is fairly unique. Should I try to stress this in my application? The grades and test scores seem pretty standard for Columbia applicants, as well as the other EC's except possibly the research depending on how that goes. Any advice is greatly appreciated.</p>