Chance me for Columbia University?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi! I'm planning to apply ED for Columbia College. </p>

<p>Potential essay topics:
*How I have epiphanies when I listen to classical music while I drive.
*How I went from a low-class citizen in China to becoming a upper-middle class citizen in the U.S. (currently living in top 10 richest counties in the U.S.), and how it taught me the value of hard work.
*How I tried to give myself an English name, but I never did it, because I felt too attached to my Chinese heritage.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.62 weighted
GPA: 3.98 unweighted
Class rank: 5/500-ish</p>

<p>SAT:
-CR 620 (I don't wanna talk about it. but think of it as.. a 720 right now)
-M 770 (aiming for 800)
-W 730 (aiming for 750)</p>

<p>SAT II:
-Math II: 790
-Bio M: 800
-Chinese: 800</p>

<p>ACT Composite: 33</p>

<p>Classes:
*9th grade:
- Honors World History
- Honors Algebra II
- Honors English I
- Honors Biology
- P.E.
- French I (only offered standard)</p>

<p>*10th grade:
- AP Euro
- Honors Pre-Cal
- AP Music Theory
- Honors English II
- Honors Chemistry
- Honors French II</p>

<p>*11th grade:
- APUSH
- AP Calc AB
- AP Psychology
- AP Biology
- AP English Language
- Honors French III
- Freshmen Mentor Study Hall (will explain later)</p>

<p>*12th grade: (signed up in these classes)
- AP Chem
- AP English Literature
- AP Stat
- AP Gov/Econ
- Honors Anatomy and Physiology
- Honors French IV
- Freshmen Mentor Study Hall</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-French Club (President)
-French Honors Society (President and founder)
-Windows of the World (the international club, Vice-President)
-Connect-R (Club dedicated to helping our foreign exchange students adapt to American environment, we help them with their homework and offer counseling. Founder and President)
-Environmental Club (just a member =])
-Freshmen Mentor Program (we help our freshmen adjust to the high school environment, we give up our study hall to make lesson plans and go into the freshmen homerooms and do team-building activities, offer academic help, and counsel them if needed)
- National Honors Society
- Mu Alpha Theta (math club, failed at running for secretary!!! D:)
- High School Swim Team (Captain, state championships team)
- Nashville Youth Repertory Orchestra at Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt (1st violin the first year I was in it, then promoted to Concert Master the second year)
- Club Swimming (Southeastern championships team, AAA times in 100/200 Breaststroke)</p>

<p>Volunteer work:
- Shelving books/helping the kids read at the local library 100+ hours</p>

<p>Awards: (not much)
-Varsity Letter in Swimming/Academics
-Scholar Athlete
-Coaches' Award in Swimming
-6th grade, I won a contest for designing a bookmark on energy efficiency. It was mass produced and I got $250.... But it was 6th grade.... Meh.</p>

<p>Others:
- Internship at Vanderbilt Cardiology Lab on Stem Cells (!!!), will get paid.
- Will attend Tennessee Governor's School for International Studies.</p>

<p>I think I'm really culturally-oriented, because I really like diversity. Although I do spend a lot of time swimming (4:30am practices twice a week!), I know I'm not fast enough to swim for Columbia.. At least they don't need breaststrokers currently.</p>

<p>Please chance me!
Any comments/suggestions are welcome!
Thanks so much!!!</p>

2

<p>My chem teacher went to Columbia and hes talked about his stats in high school. Get that SAT score up a bit, get some good recs,a killer essay and I think your in :)</p>

<p>Help me out plz :)?</p>

<p>i need some serious advice</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/911042-new-york-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/911042-new-york-schools.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>How I tried to give myself an English name, but I never did it, because I felt too attached to my Chinese heritage. </p>

<p>I would use this topic and in the conclusion you could talk about how being from china has showed you the value of hard work</p>

4

<p>I’d go for the first essay topic. It’s a lot more creative, since I’m sure that Columbia gets enough essays about “hard work” and “cultural diversity.” The Classical Music essay is a lot more fun and shows a more dynamic side of your personality. It would give you a chance to be creative, humorous, and a LOT more memorable to an admissions officer.</p>

5

<p>I think that the classical music one is more interesting and memorable, but the name/heritage one will give the admissions people more info on who I am.
Since CC is on the Common App this year, I think I can make one of them the free write on the Common App and somehow make the other one related to CC’s supplement.
How long should my essays be?
-The classical music one is only about 400 words long right now.</p>

<p>And what else can I do to increase my chances? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

6

<p>Yeah, raise ur SAT scores and try to hone in ur ECs so you have a few things that stand out. Else, you should be a mid-reach or so.</p>

<p>Chance me: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/913404-please-chance-i-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/913404-please-chance-i-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;