Chance me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Hi folks. I know chance threads are in no way means of identifying whether one will get accepted, but I thought I'd make this to find out if I'd be better qualified this round.</p>

<p>First, some background: I'm a high school grad who took a gap year. Last year, I was waitlisted by Columbia, but due to the fact that there were no vacancies, I was unable to attend. Following this, I was offered the chance to work at a prestigious non-profit organization which I was connected with throughout my high school years. That, paired with the fact that my family was/is going through financial turbulence and the colleges I was accepted by did not assist me any further with financial aid, I chose to take the job offer—get a chance to experience an adult life... esp in a field that I'm familiar with (this is a film non-profit). </p>

<p>I will post my current stats etc. below along with the previous stats in parenthesis if they are different.</p>

<p>SAT I: 2180 (previously 2030)
GPA: 4.0 UW</p>

<p>HONORS/AWARDS
Questbridge Finalist (12)
Best Film (10, 12) (12 is not on previous app)
Best Editing, Best Sound (12) (not on previous app)
Creative Excellence (12) (not on previous app)
Salutatorian (12) (not on previous app)
Films screened at TriBeCa theaters, Museum of Moving Image, & Columbia's theater</p>

<p>APs
3s and 4s</p>

<p>SENIOR COURSE LOAD
Most rigorous course load</p>

<p>ECs
- Film Club
- Volunteering: helping visually impaired senior citizens
- Peer Mentor (not sure if this was on previous app)
- Olympic Weightlifting (will be competing nationally by next year)
- Various club sports
- several more not worth noting</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE
- Work at non-profit org. (currently)
- non-medical visual aide
- freelance computer repair</p>

<p>Recs: shining recs from math and science teachers, one from boss (president of the non-profit)</p>

<p>Hooks: first generation, QB finalist (low income), filmmaking(?)</p>

<p>Essays: had them read over by a dude who worked in college admissions, says they're in great shape. Last year's essay was not as good IMO.</p>

<hr>

<p>so do you guys think I could turn this waitlist into an acceptance this time around? hope this isn't too bad of a wall of text.</p>

2

<p>Same boat here! After gap-year, reapplying :)</p>

3

<p>best of luck! @viphan‌ </p>

4

<p>Hey Columbia first year here, I usually don’t like chance threads but I would have to say that you have a really good shot at Columbia. Just make sure to write genuine essays. If you need any info about Columbia, I would be happy to try to give you that info to the best of my ability. I also was a QB finalist so I might be able to offer some information about fin. aid. If you have any questions at all about anything at Columbia or about the college admissions process, you can ask them on here. If you want to talk about things privately, I can pm you my columbia email address (my inbox is full so you probably wouldn’t be able to communicate with me through pms),</p>

5

<p>@IWillKillForMIT‌ thanks for the feedback! i’ll contact you if I have any more questions as I approach the RD deadline.</p>

6

<p>Good luck, both.</p>