Chance me for Columbia!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

Hello! I would like to know how good my chances are/what I should improve to get into Columbia University.

I am a white male from North Carolina. My area is incredible poor, conservative, and rural, but I am middle class. Neither of my parents earned a degree past their high school diploma.

My high school is ranked in the top 1% of high schools in the nation and it is a very small charter school; my graduating class has around 80 students. My rank is 9 or 10 (I am not sure).

Weighted GPA: 4.55
Unweighted GPA: 3.9 something

Sat Scores–
evidence based reading and writing: 670
math: 710
chemistry subject test: 570
literature subject: 610
math 2: 690
I have at least one more chance to take the SAT and I am certain I will be able to break 730 on both Math and Reading.

I have 5 AP’s total (euro, calc ab, chemistry, lang and comp, and gov). I only opted to not take more than one this year so that I could dedicate more time to applications and my two college courses.

Clubs:
National Honor Society/Beta Club (all four years of high school, led a couple of committees)
School Newspaper (11-12)
Gay Straight Alliance (Founding member in 11th and leader in 12th)
National Latin Honor Society (10-12)
Mu Alpha Theta (12)
Swim team (10-12, captain senior year)
Cheerleading (11-12) **my experiences in this sport and the prejudices I faced could make a good essay.
Drama (10)
Speech and Debate (10-11, club ended this year because the teacher quit)
Pep Club (9-12, leadership position 11 and 12)
Others: Hospice Volunteer, tutor, teach swim lessons, Red Cross lifeguard/CPR certified

I have also held a job throughout my junior and senior years of high school.

Hooks (or whatever you call these fun facts about me):
-First generation to attend college
-Gay
-From the rural south

I am interested in International Studies or Political Science as a major. I write the socio-political column in my school paper. I am also very dedicated to the learning of foreign languages. In high school, I have taken two years of Latin (9-10), two years of French (11-12), and one year of German (12). I have supplemented my in class study of French by teaching myself a significant amount, but I am not fluent. I have also taught myself small amounts of Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch (basic conversation, although I know a bit more Spanish). I am currently applying to the NSLI-Y year abroad program to study Arabic.

This year I am taking two courses through my local community college, General Psychology and Intro to Sociology.

I should probably add that my high school works off of a classical curriculum, meaning we must take two years of Latin, two years of classical logic, and one year of rhetoric before graduating. The school is challenging to say the least, pushing every single student to pursue an undergrad degree or higher. Most people in my area either do not attend college, stop at an associate degree, or go to a local public college to earn their bachelor’s (maybe 20% of high school grads). The difference between my charter school and many other public schools in the area may help me stand out…

As mentioned before, my SAT scores are subject to change, but as of right now, what are my chances? What can I do to help myself stand out?

Thank you and I can’t wait to hear back!!

2

Your grades and ECs seem strong, however I think you need to elaborate on your hooks, how have you highlighted your hooks in your essays or application in general - good luck!

3

Sorry if i may seem harsh but at least im honest right? (NOTE: I have been dubbed Simon Cowell of CC)
So here are my thoughts:
1.GPA is fine
2. Your scores are not that great. the sat II’s hurt you more than they help. They make it look like you don’t understand the material which is bad for sat II’s because that is your chance to show colleges what subjects you like+excel in.
3.Courses are fine
4. ECs:

  • first of all, there is nothing that makes you stand out. Columbia has a hundred national intel and siemens science award winners, dozens of amazing debate students who broke to semis at TOC, hundreds who played music at Carnegie hall, etc. There is nothing on your application to make you seem like a world class applicant.
    -NO SPIKE. This is a big one. Ivies like to see a focus of ECs in one area. Preferably, this area be related to your major. I don’t see anything politically related other than the school newspaper (which is done by millions of kids nationally). You have a bunch of clubs and stuff that don’t coherently show a passion or a dedication to one discipline.
    -really good hooks. USE THEM WELL!

While this may seem hopeless, don’t give up. Here are things you can do to maximize your chances:

  1. Focus your application on 3 things:
  • one, how being homosexual has made life an uphill battle. Obviously this is an issue that matters to you. Shoe Columbia why. In your essays, find a creative way to tie this into politics.
  • two, how growing up in a rural area has been tough. i.e. lack of opportunities-you had to really fight to get things, homophobic community.
    -how you attending Columbia will change both the campus and the world. This is a big one. Why should Columbia accept you instead 15,000 other yous?