Chance me for Columbia University ED Fall 2017-18

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

Grade: incoming senior
Residence: Ohio
Grade Average: UW: 3.7 W: 3.92
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Asian (Korean)

Pre-high school:
Physical Science (A)
Algebra 1 (A)
Latin I (B)

Freshman:
French 1 (A)
Modern World History (B+ - A-)
Honors English I (A)
Honors Geometry (A)
Biology (A)
Choir: (A)

Sophomore:
French 2 (A)
Top Level Choir (A)
AP American Studies aka AP US History combined with Honors English 2 (C-B+)
Chemistry (A)
Honors Algebra 2 (A)

Junior:
French 3 (A)
Top Level Choir (A)
Honors Precalc: (B+ - A)
Honors English (B - B+)
AP Physics I (B)
AP Government (B+ - A-)

Next year (Senior):
IB French HL
IB Psychology
AP American Language
AP Calculus AB
Top Level Choir

Highest ACT Score: 32 (taking it again one more time in September)

EC:
over 200 hours at local food pantry
Leader and overseer of teen operations at the food pantry
National Honors Society
Multicultural Club
French Club
Teen Institute (drug free club)
Charity events (performing at concerts)
Top Women’s Choir (3 years)
Feeding the Homeless (Faith Mission)
Participating in 3 top level choirs
Student Council
Sophomore Cabinet
Senior Cabinet Co-Leader
Head chair of the community committee where we find how to get the school involved with the community
Principle’s Advisory Council
CAP (a highly selective program offered at my school where upperclassmen mentor freshman)
Drama Club (thespian)

Letters of Rec:
Choir teacher who has had me for four years and knows me outside of school
French teacher who has had me for four years
My cardiologist who is a Columbia Alumni and has known me since I was 10 months old

Personal Essay:
When I was younger, I was in dire need of cardiological surgery, so my parents took me to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, which is part of the Columbia Medical Center. My main surgeon was a Columbia graduate and my cardiologist who I see till this day is also a Columbia graduate. Because of the extensive surgery, I am currently a case study at the Columbia Medical School. Columbia saved my life. If it weren’t around, I wouldn’t be alive today.

2

Your essay, while touching, doesn’t speak to accomplishment. I’d write something which attests to your actual abilities and not just surviving an operation. Also, what HS did you go to? A 3.7 from any local public HS is, well…not great. For ECs, try to initiate something on your own. Volunteering and listing random affiliations is trite and will not set you apart. Distinguish yourself. Lastly, get those test scores up! You’re Asian, so it’s an uphill battle from the get go. Good luck.

3

The acceptance rate at Columbia is about 6%, You chances of acceptance are quite small – as are the chances of most applicants to the school. There is simply not enough room to accept all of the qualified candidates. Your academic stats are on the low end of the school’s range. In terms of your ECs, I may move the choirs up on your list but there is nothing really out of the ordinary.

I agree – I don’t think your essay will boost your chances for admission because you had surgery at Columbia Medical Center. If you write about your surgery, it should be along the lines of how your illness changed you as a person/made your grow etc.-- the essay should tell admissions something about YOU that can’t be found elsewhere in your application. Admissions officers are interested in you and your qualifications and backstory, not where your doctors work.

Still, if Columbia is your dream school throw in an application and see what happens. Just be sure to have a good list of match and safety schools that you can afford (if that is an issue) and would be happy to attend. There are tons of amazing colleges and universities out that that you woudl qualify for. And frankly, the most important thing is that you are healthy enough to attend college after your earlier health issues.

4

You should develop on how the surgery impacted you and how you’ve overcome a difficult time - don’t push the line and turn it into a sob story involving a Columbia grad, make it inspiring, moving and highlight yourself your accomplishments and the kind of person you are. Good Luck!