<p>Im a junior right now with a 3.33w gpa and about a 3.1uw gpa.
I recently got my PSAT back and got a 200 selection index which is equivalent to a 2000 on the SAT. However based on my low gpa im pretty worried about college. My dream (so far away) is Columbia which doesnt seem to look at grades but to be realistic i was considering the UC's, namely UCSB or UCSD.</p>
<p>What are my chances with the above stated gpa, a 2000 SAT, and EC including Eagle Scout, Model UN award recipient, Flowers Heritage Foundation (AIDs foundation) Honorable mention, Search and Rescue and some more stuff?</p>
<p>For Columbia you would need to score 220+ on the PSAT or 2200 equivalent on the SAT to be seriously considered - with your GPA more likely 2300+ but heck you can try w/ a 2200. Like you said, UCSB and UCSD are much more realistic</p>
<p>Do you feel like i have a chance at those two UC’s though?</p>
<p>And im taking my SAT for real in March so im working pretty hard to bring up my writing skills.
CR was 71 (710) Math was 68 (680) and a 61 (610) Writing skills.
I think some of my EC’s are unusual and pretty demanding so maybe Columbia… maybe?</p>
<p>The sad truth is… so are thousands of other applicant’s. Yes your ECs are exceptional but none are ostentatious enough to be hooks. I can honestly say you definitely have a chance at the two UCs but Columbia… I can equally honestly say (with your current scores) at Columbia you probably have a 1% chance if not less. With a 2300 probably 25%. With a 2200, 20%. Columbia is extremely competitive. You can look up profiles of people who have been rejected with a easy google search. Sorry, just being realistic. Maybe you should look at NYU?</p>
<p>alright thanks for the honest answer, thats why its a dream school hahah. curious though, is Columbia harder to get into than any UC or is it comparable to UCLA/UCB?</p>
<p>Columbia Entering Class Statistics:
2008 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class:94%
SAT Critical Reading 25th-75th percentile range:680-770
SAT Math 25th-75th percentile range:680-780
SAT Writing 25th-75th percentile range690-770
Number of applicants:22,584
Number of applicants accepted:2,266</p>
<p>Okay, I know hope is always a good thing. But it seems that the average CCer doesn’t quite grasp how competitive some schools are. 22,500+ Applied. I am sure around 19000 were well qualified, smart candidates. Only 2200+ were accepted from those well qualified candidates. You do the math, the acceptance rate is less than 10%. (However, the early decision rate is around 24%) So if you still have your heart on Columbia, do apply then.
Additionally all your scores currently fall into the bottom 25% in every subject. So yes, some people at Columbia do have your scores in some subjects but they may have an 800 in math etc. Or more likely, they are athletes, are the best in the world at something such as sailing/have published a book, or an affirmative action minority (hispanic, black, native american etc.). Those entering class statistics are tough and cruel. But it’s just the truth. I hate seeing people get mislead… But like I’ve said it is not impossible, just a really far shot from what your scores currently are.</p>
<p>Yeah I totally get what you’re getting at. Its hard for me to give my real SAT scores since i havent gotten them yet (took the actual SAT today matter of fact) but it was way easier than I anticipated and this was without studying.
I am a varsity swimmer with about a 21 low for 50 freestyle so that might play a factor. I appreciate what you’re doing Beowulf and I feel that all of your points are valid and logical. When I get my scores back I should have a better idea.</p>
<p>i would say it doesnt hurt you to apply since its your dream school and hey maybe they will see something in you -despite ur lower academic record- that they want in their school so go for it:) and as for the UC’s you should also try Davis, Irvine etc.
can someone look at my posts and chance me:)</p>