chance me for COLUMBIA

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everyone, I am interested in applying to Columbia. I know it’s probably a long shot, but I have looked through Columbia’s results threads and saw accepted people with stats similar to mine so I thought I’d come to the chance forum. Anyways:

GPA (definitely weak point of application): when applying, it will probably be a 3.66 UW/4.5 W. I know it’s low for Columbia, but I go to the best high school in my state where students are cutthroat and competitive.

ACT (got scores back two or three days ago and sent them to Columbia already): 32 C, 34 E, 33 M, 32 R, 30 S, 9 essay. Very proud of my score but also think I could probably get higher, especially in science. If I get ONE point higher in any one of my subsections, my composite gets raised to a 33.

EC’s (strong point of application):

  • Started own cancer charity at my school which has raised over 1000 dollars for organizations like St. Jude hospital and UNC Chapel Hill’s Lineberger Cancer Center since I started the club last semester
  • Running for NHS president
  • Captain of varsity swim/dive team. Won state championships freshman and sophomore year, #2 in states this year (junior year), I was MVP freshman year and captain this year.
  • Head coach of a country club’s dive team.
  • Ambassador for my high school
  • BETA club during my fresh/soph years. It’s only for underclassmen.
  • Some small stuff I do here and there like organ donation awareness club.

ESSAYS: I know writing good supplements is vital to Columbia’s application, so I’m going to spend a lot of time making sure they are impeccable. I’ve been told that I’m a very strong writer, and I feel like I will write supplements/essays that are creative and represent my personality.

TEACHER RECS: Probably am going to get one from my programming teacher who I’m close with and I am still trying to figure out others who could write one. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I have a shortage of teachers who will write me a good recommendation, it’s just I want to get the best recs possible.

CLASS RANK: top quarter

RIGOR: I take more AP’s than the majority of people at my school

I know it’s a long shot, but I really love New York and hope that I can convey that I am a unique and passionate person in my application. Going to Columbia would be amazing, so please tell me my honest chances. Does Columbia have a really holistic approach to their applications or do they stick to numbers like GPA and test scores pretty strictly? Also, could someone tell me if I qualify for any other top schools?

BTW, I am a white male from NC who wants to either go into computer science or business.

2

Honestly you have a low shot. You’re absolutely correct that your numbers are low, and Columbia, like every other highly selective college, does value numbers. However, even more on the holistic side, there isn’t much there in your ECs or rigor, although that’s not to say your essay/recs can’t be amazing.

If you “really love New York,” I’d suggest looking at NYU, whose selectivity makes it an easier school for you to get into. They have Stern, of course. Based on you being from NC, your notion of “New York” is actually probably closer to that offered by NYU, which is downtown as opposed to Columbia being a good 30 minutes from downtown. They have very different student bodies to say the least, and from your post (“I’ve been told I’m a very strong writer” … “it’s not like I have a shortage of teachers who will write me a good recommendation” … “very proud of my score”) and what I know of NYU students, it seems you’ll fit better there.

Sorry if this seems harsh, but I’m really trying to be honest and helpful here.

3

I also think that Columbia is a long shot. Apply as a reach school, but do apply to others and have an open mind about them. I agree that NYU cold be a good choice.

4

Didn’t mean to sound cocky there @twnnca , but I am just trying to give you guys a good idea of how these components in my app will be. In my defense, I studied very hard for the ACT, hence why I am proud of my score. Also, my teachers have told me that I write good essays (it’s not like I read my own essays and think “wow, I am an awesome writer!”) and I always try and become friends with my teachers so that’s why I think I could get good recs. In retrospect, my comments did come across as a bit arrogant I guess… but thanks for the honest opinion. @stepay I will look at NYU as well. I know Columbia is a reach but I thought I would get some opinions from you guys. Thanks for letting me know.

5

Hey there!

Yes you’re right that your test scores are a bit lower but I still think you have a low shot. Issue in my opinion, is that your EC’s are solid and above average don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think they are outstanding enough to make up for the slightly lower GPA for Columbia! In all honesty, I honestly loved NYU when I visited and thought it was excellent! However still apply to Columbia! You have a shot and you never know!

Would love if you can chance me back thanks!

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1762875-can-i-get-into-claremont-mckenna-will-chance-back.html#latest

6

Now I feel a little embarrassed for even posting this thread. I’m starting to realize how low my chances are and I feel like an idiot for even thinking I have a chance at Columbia. Thank you guys for setting my expectations realistically

7

@agc1998 - ALL of the Ivy League schools are a reach for EVERYONE. They will know how tough your high school is. You should apply. You just never know what demographic you meet that they want. People with lower GPAs than yours get in to Columbia. Don’t let comments from strangers who aren’t involved in the process dissuade you. It is not silly for you to apply, so no need to be embarrassed. A long shot is still a shot. I would have told you NO shot if I thought that was the case. Like you said, people with stats similar to yours have been admitted there. Good Luck.

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Thank you @stepay I really appreciate it. I will still apply and hope for an acceptance, but prepare for a rejection.

9

Try to get your GPA up or at the least emphasize an improvement. I definitely think Columbia would be a reach school, but do not let that diminish your achievements - you have a lot to be proud of!

10

Yes your GPA is low and your class rank in the top quarter is not the best. @Mchichioco said your EC’s are not “good” enough for Columbia. Honestly I think EC’s are very relative. If I say I’m president of Club A, some people including the admissions officer will see that and think: “Oh nice, a club president” But this is where essays come in. They explain the depth of your EC and go beyond just the surface of your EC. You explain the hard work you put into your EC and what you learned out of it (how the EC shaped your character/personality or something like that). That is what is important. This is what differentiates between two applicants who are both strong academically and who are both presidents of clubs. The former might just have picked a random club and became president and not have done anything meaningful at all (His essays will show that he is more a resume stuffer than actually interested in whatever his club is doing).

The latter will have strong essays and show important the EC actually is. Ostensibly, two presidents look the same, they’re both leadership positions, but your essay is what differentiates the two. Heck, you don’t even have to be a club president, but if you still demonstrate a lot of genuine interest, you’ll be fine.

Don’t be discouraged. College Confidential is a very competitive environment. I am also very intimidated by all these Chance Me threads, but being president of 10 clubs, starting 5 charities, working at a lab for 4 years, 4.0/2350 10 AP’s, may still not be enough for some colleges. I would say to just roll the dice and apply. You’ll never know what will happen!

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The thing is not to do a lot of ECs. What to do is to take only a couple ECs and win state/national/corporate recognition for your achievements. Swimming will definitely help you out in this regard. Show this interest in your essays, and your chances will improve.

To be honest, however, starting a charity is not time well spent, as thousands of students from around the country do something similar to that. See what you like to do, and start something new and revolutionary that is not even remotely being done by some other high schooler in the nation. This may seem hard, but with genuine exploration, this is attainable.

Source: I got accepted to a selective scholarship summer program (acceptance < 13%) as a non-URM or any hooks, or perfect GPA. It is the passion that counts.

12

a 32 is a great score, you’re in the 95th percentile. Don’t let these nerds on CC tell you otherwise. Columbia like all ivies is a reach for everyone BT if you have a great essay, your chances will he increased. I agree you should look into Stern. Their business school is arguably better than Columbia’s so there’s that. Good luck mate

13

Oh and people from my schools have gotten into Stanford with 3.5 GPAs. We are the most competitive school in MD so you def got a chance