Chance for Columbia....

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I do realize that this post is quite long, but if you have the time to read it and chance me, I would really appreciate it!!</p>

<p>Female, 17
Raleigh, NC, USA
East Asian: Chinese
Private School (Independent Study)</p>

<p>Applied for Columbia College/Juilliard Exchange.
(I know I have a 0.000001% of making the exchange, but I applied anyway so the Columbia admissions officers have to listen to the supplemental CD that I sent them (they might not listen to it had I not applied for the exchange.)
I'm only asking for you to chance me for Columbia as it is the only non-music school/conservatory that I applied for.
The others pretty much only care that I graduate high school.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 for junior/senior year, 3.85 all four years.
I took two APs as a sophomore, then I left the public school system and started studying at home through Indiana University-Bloomington so I would have more time to practice piano. Indiana University doesn't offer APs, so I take all college level courses instead (100-level and 200-level). I'm sort of a special case because I'm not exactly part of a 'graduating class,' nor am I home-schooled since I have college professors teaching my courses.</p>

<p>TEST SCORES</p>

<p>SAT: 1940 (uhh, please don't judge) :(
-CR 610 M 690 W 640
SAT II Math I: 730
SAT II Literature: 720 (it shows that I improved from my CR score...)
SAT II Math II: 650</p>

<p>ESSAY/RECOMMENDATIONS</p>

<p>All 3 of my recommendations (one from english teacher, one from math teacher, and the counselor statement) are excellent.
I know all of them very well, and vice versa.</p>

<p>Here is my essay. If you could skim through it to get a better idea, that would be great. I think it's pretty good:
Liberation</a> within Impermanence. (click to enlarge)</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS</p>

<p>My ECs are not all over the place. Music is my most meaningful commitment, and I concentrate on that. I've been playing piano for about 13 years and violin for 9. I won't go into detail about my achievements, but I've appeared as a soloist with two orchestras and participated in music festivals in Italy and Hungary.</p>

<p>I did apply to Juilliard and was offered an audition after they reviewed my pre-screening recording. There were 180 people chosen from a little over 400. The 180 includes undergrads, grads, and various other degree programs so I'm not sure how many undergrads were chosen.</p>

<p>I was offered a full scholarship for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my musical and academic achievements.</p>

<p>I also submitted a photography slide. I started freshman year (so I've been doing it for about 4 years), but I do take it very seriously. I've contributed to various independent online magazines and participated in international art projects (although I didn't state it in my application...) Here is some of my work:
Photography</a> Portfolio</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER/JOB</p>

<p>Both of these activities involve music. I work as a piano accompanist (for about 4 years now) for people's recitals, auditions, etc... I play piano every week at a retirement community as my volunteer work (for about 3 years now). I think they'll see that these activities relate to my passion.</p>

<hr>

<p>I know that my test scores are working against me (BIG TIME), but I'm just not good at standardized testing!!! I've been debating whether to post my stats for a while for people to chance me, but I was pretty embarrassed about my scores.</p>

<p>I know Columbia's a very high reach, but I just wanted some reassurance that there's at least a SLIM chance I will be considered.</p>

<p>Thanks guys :)</p>

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<p>If you write killer essays and have recs that show ur passion, you are definately a candidate. Ur EC’s are excellent and focused in 1 area (which Columbia loves)</p>

<p>Although I hate to say this, if u get ur scores up, u wud prolly be a high match. For now, its a reach, ur jus a candidate.</p>

3

<p>I think you understand what’s being held against you. In that case, I am sure your musical prowess and other interests will be an excellent addition to your application. However, I think your essay was a tiny bit too indirect for me to understand entirely.</p>

<p>You’ve got a chance. I am sure that scholarship to UNC would be great too though. What are your intentions for the future?</p>

<p>Chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/865994-chance-hodgepodge-applicant.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/865994-chance-hodgepodge-applicant.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>jayjay: thanks, but I’m a senior :frowning: don’t have a chance to get my SAT scores up anymore.</p>

<p>gaginang: haha, I’m not planning on attending UNC though. I’m pretty sure I’ll be majoring in music (piano), although I am also keeping my options open. I do know that my future career will definitely be in the arts.</p>

<p>thanks!
anyone else?</p>

5

<p>Oh, that’s interesting. I’m sure it’s something you’ll consider though [going to UNC]. That scholarship sounds great haha.</p>

<p>How’d the audition for Juilliard go? [or am I misinterpreting and you were offered an audition and decided not to?]</p>

<p>I think with your apparently outstanding aptitude in the arts, that you will stand out. Because of that, your test scores are not “excusable”, but will probably be given some lee-way.</p>

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<p>I have my Juilliard audition on March 4th!! And I’m sort of freaking out lol.</p>

<p>I hope I do have a chance…I’d love to be at Columbia -sigh- haha.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t say that its a huge reach, but yes, it is a reach. The main thing holding you back is a relatively poor SAT score. boosting it to 2250+ would make it within arm’s length, but boosting it above 2000 would also do wonders for your chances as well.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/862600-applying-columba-ed.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/862600-applying-columba-ed.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>yes i know, but i’m a senior, so i can’t boost it anymore. thanks though.</p>

<p>anyone else?</p>

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<p>How do you do so bad on SAT lol, it rly isnt hard to get 2200+</p>

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<p>umm, well my apologies for not getting a score up to your standards? plus, it’s different for everyone. not everyone is good at the SAT…</p>

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<p>Haha, don’t worry about your score medio.</p>

<p>I’m sure your accomplishments are to be commended wherever you end up attending :slight_smile: Your SAT scores are already in the top 13th percentile or so. At Columbia, it is “relatively low”, but you have a chance nonetheless. What’s been done has been dealt with, and I wish you good luck on your applications.</p>

<p>May I ask what made you apply to UNC?</p>

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<p>Haha thanks gaginang. Yeah, all i can do now is hope for the best :)</p>

<p>hahahh loll. UNC is my safe school. it’s in-state, and it’s pretty decent (top 35 in the nation maybe?). i’m not interested in their music program at all though. so if i do have to go there, i’ll probably end up majoring in something else =/</p>

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<p>Ah, I see. Isn’t it nice having a safety school that is one of the top in the nation? ;)</p>

<p>I just realized your username is really funny haha. I like it :D</p>

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<p>Yes it is, actually! the campus is pretty nice, and it’s not too bad :)</p>

<p>lol. it’s like…‘half chick’ in spanish. ‘chick’ as in…chicken, not…girl. lol.</p>

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<p>anyone else? i’d love more input.</p>

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<p>again…anyone?</p>

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<p>ur chances are more like a reach… u have an alright chance & “if they have room” type… i’d say…hmmm 70% ?</p>

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<p>if they have room, lol. yeah…70% isn’t that bad though. but i know it’s quite a reach for me. thanks!</p>

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<p>Columbia is definitely a reach, but don’t rule it out…you never know with the Ivies these days.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>You might have to reach out Columbia. Write a great essay explaining your situation though.
Don’t sweat if you end up in UNC, UNC is a great school also.</p>