Chance me for ED please? Especially my essay idea.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Objective:
• SAT I (breakdown): 770 CR, 790 M, 760 W, 2320 T
• ACT: Have not taken. Should I?
• SAT IIs: 720 Lit, 670 Spanish, 790 Math II
• GPA: UW: 91/100, W: 103/100
• Rank: Top 10%, only told which decile we are in (out of 250)
• AP: Calculus AB (5), US History (4), English Language (5, self-study)
• IB: Not offered
• Senior Year Course Load: Psychology Honors, AP Spanish, AP Statistics (only math course left), AP Biology, AP English Literature, Religion (required), AP Chemistry (at MIT on Sundays)
• Awards: National Spanish Exam Silver Medal (received twice), School Academic Achievement Award
• Additional: I was the only junior to take 3 AP courses. I took AP Physics, however the course was awful so I did not take the exam (only one senior did, and he received a 2). My school has a 3 AP limit, but I petitioned it so now I will be the only senior to take 4 APs in my senior year. Next year, I hope to take an AP Chemistry course at MIT.</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<pre><code> • Top 5 Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Academic Decathlon (Captain), Varisty Tennis Team, Math Team, Peer Minister at Church, member of AMIGOs, a youth outreach program offered through my school to help underprivileged children prepare for the MCATs.
• Job/Work Experience: Had a job in my sophomore year at a local grocery store, quit for tennis team
• Volunteer/Community Service: Volunteer at my local hospital on a regular basis, have volunteered at local retirement village and food pantry
• Summer Activities: Summer before my Junior Year I took a Pre-Calculus course at a local independent high school. Therefore I skipped my school’s pre-calculus honors class and became one of three juniors in AP Calculus.
• Essays: Hopefully good, see below.
• Teacher Recommendation: One from my English teacher, one from my math teacher/math team advisor
• Counselor Recommendation: She says I have one of the biggest passions for learning she has ever seen, so it should be good.
• Additional Rec: Maybe one from my supervisor at the hospital, idk yet
• Interview: Has not happened yet
</code></pre>

<p>Other:
• State: MA
• Country: US
• School Type: Small, Catholic School
• Ethnicity: White (Irish-Italian)
• Gender: Male
• Income Bracket: Lower Lower Middle Class
• Hooks: None really. My dad went to night school in his late 30s to get his BA…now he’s a cashier. Mom didn’t go to college.
Also, I am gay and I have attended Catholic school since I was in kindergarten, so this has affected me innumerably. I am not “out”, and the people who do know I am gay were shocked to hear so. I am proud of who I am, but growing up in an atmosphere where it is taboo to be gay and our religion class tells us it is not the lifestyle choice to make, it can be confusing. I hope to write an essay on this, explaining how I have learned to accept myself even through this uphill climb.</p>

2

<p>I think your application is strong. Do not take/waste your time on the ACT.</p>

<p>Your essay idea is good, but kinda cliched. Try really hard to reveal your personality through all that mawkish sentimentality.</p>

3

<p>everything epaminondas said. the idea is so common that your writing would have to be spectacular. you might be burdening yourself even more by using a crutch-idea. </p>

<p>I would say you have a great shot ED. but, who knows?</p>

4

<p>Haha yeah I am WELL aware the idea is cliche. The only issue is, when they ask to describe something that has affected me as a person, stating anything different would be lying. I’ve written one draft of the essay, but it was too weepy and cliche, so I deleted it. I’m starting fresh soon…and I’m trying my absolute best to make it original. I mean, I’m sure everything’s been done before, but I want to put a sense of me in the essay. Not just some gay kid crying about how his life’s been tough…that isn’t even how I feel.</p>

5

<p>it’s not cliche if it’s personal. just stick with showing vs telling and you’ll be fine. if your essay was ‘i have had hardships, i am gay, it sucks, boohoo,’ then yeah, that’s cliche. if you fill it with personal stories and reflections, then it’ll be fresh no matter what. go for it. and you have a good shot.</p>

6

<p>Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the comments. And just a question, what exactly do you mean by “a good shot”? Like, I wouldn’t be absolutely shocked if you got in or what? I just want some clairification lol. And lastly, is there anything you would recommend I do during my senior year to improve my app (with the exception of getting good grades, I’m aware of that lol)?</p>

7

<p>I think you have “a pretty good shot,” and by that I mean you look on-par with other people who have gotten in in the past. So no it would not come as a surprise to me if you got in, because you’re plenty qualified academically. </p>

<p>I think your essay choice is fine, as long as at the end of the essay the reader thinks “wow, I like this kid, he’s got a great story and the smarts to communicate that, and he’d be an asset to our institution.” At least that is how I would judge a successful essay, because that’s ultimately what your application as a whole must communicate. A good writer can do that with any topic. </p>

<p>Also, are you applying for Columbia College or SEAS? They have different admissions and look for different things so that matters.</p>

8

<p>I will be applying to Columbia College, most likely as a Bio major.</p>

9

<p>Very strong…no need for ACT</p>

10

<p>i don’t think you have to worry about writing a hackneyed essay. everyone’s experiences are different and unique. just be honest about your experiences and your personality will shine through. </p>

<p>at least that’s what i’m doing…i’m writing about moving and probably so is someone else</p>

11

<p>"a youth outreach program offered through my school to help underprivileged children prepare for the MCATs. "</p>

<p>you’re a high school student helping “children” prepare for the mcats? what?</p>

12

<p>^^^^^^^^ haha.</p>