Chance me, please...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Hi.</p>

<p>I applied Early Decision to Columbia, and I had my interview this past weekend. I was semi-hopeful before, but my interviewer ended the session with the phrases, "I'm going to reccommend you with the highest terms possible...I think you're a perfect fit for Columbia...You embody everything Columbia is looking for". Now my hopes are up, but so is my skepticism, so if anyone would like to comment on my probable admission/denial, please do. I really would like to look at my application realistically.</p>

<p>SAT: CR: 800 M: 730 W: 720
SAT II: Unknown, took Japanese, Math II, Chemistry (I suspect I did well on all three)</p>

<p>10 AP classes
9 Honors classes
All As, except 2 B+ last year in Euro/Physics
8/448 in my class as of summer 2009 (but probably higher now)</p>

<p>NHS(11,12)
Japanese National Honor Society(Co-President, 10-12)
Art National Honor Society (VP, 11-12)
Mock Trial (Statewide competition team)
Youth Advocacy League/M-Powerment(feminist awareness group started by Shaler Alum; awarded national Jackie Onassis award)(Technical Director,11-12)
Shaler Chamber Orchestra (1st violin, second chair)</p>

<p>I program my own video games that have built in review questions to help high school age kids study for major tests. </p>

<p>I spent the summer in Japan as an exchange student. I've been studying Japanese for 9 years. I can fluently speak Japanese.</p>

<p>I play violin, guitar, and piano. I also compose music; one of my pieces was performed by my school orchestra in 2007.</p>

<p>Animal Friends Volunteer (over 300 hours) (9-12)
50 volunteer hours spent at church events
Over 100 hours spent programming games (non-profit)
I teach private lessons as my job, in violin and guitar.</p>

<p>My essay is about how my summer abroad changed my perception of the world, as well as increasing my fluency.</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm sorry if you sloughed through that. I'd love to hope that my interviewer's reaction is indicative of how Columbia will react, but I'm not naive enough to assume so. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I hate these chances threads (despite the fact that I made one over two months ago) because they’re never going to tell you anything. Yeah you have great grades, SATs, diverse EC’s that you’re dedicated to, and a great interview, so you have a great shot. However, valedictorians, people with 2400 SATs, people who spent their 4 summers in the Congo rebuilding schools, and people who are all 3 still get rejected from Columbia. It’s a reach for everyone.</p>

3

<p>^ Chance threads are only unhelpful when people give, as they often do, responses that summon up the ideal candidate who gets rejected in support of their final claim that the school’s a reach for everyone.</p>

<p>There is order to the process; with study, there can be mostly accurate prediction. By delineating the aspects of this order, and in turn prediction, we can meaningfully chance and, more importantly, advise applicants.</p>

<p>Now that that’s out of the way:</p>

<p>Your SAT score is acceptable, your grades seem fine, and your rank doesn’t detract from the rigor of or the performance in your classes.</p>

<p>However, the real strengths of your application lie in the subjectives, namely, your ECs. You’ve got a wealth of deep and interesting activities there; if you conveyed these successfully, you’ve got a solid chance.</p>

<p>Good luck and reply if you have further requests or questions.</p>