Chance! [New to Site]

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>So I've been lurking CC for about 2 months, and I finally decided to make an account out of caprice. Anyways, if you could please tell me my chances it would be greatly appreciated. Columbia is my #1 choice (i got deferred from Brown, and my application was subpar) but here are my stats and my colleges:</p>

<p>Columbia, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, NYU, Boston College, Brandeis, UCB, UCLA, UCSD</p>

<p>Stats</p>

<p>I hear that my school is competitive but don't believe it. It's a religious school, SDA to specify.</p>

<p>did not take SAT I
* ACT: 32
* SAT IIs: Math II (790), Literature (580), Physics (Jan 2009) -- i don't know any physics, the curve was just irresistible. I think i can get 700+.<br>
* GPA:3.98 UW [out of 4.0], 4.25 weighted. I went above and beyond courseload offerings at my school. No one has attempted this courseload before. 9 periods both semesters jr/sr years.
*Rank: top 4% class of 175. maybe better, but definitely not worse because I got ELC.</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<ul>
<li>Essays: Commonapp one was about my upbringing. It was about voice (and hearing) and I related it to my family. I wrote Yale's about Scooby-Doo (it wasn't bad, trust me!). But all in all, they each had quite unique essay topics. I wrote them fairly quickly to be honest, but I don't know what else I'd incorporate into them.</li>
<li>Teacher Recs: One I believe was quite amazing. The other I never saw, but I would expect it to be quite well done since he has a history of writing these recommendations, and offered to write mine before I asked.</li>
<li>Counselor Rec: I'm expecting it to be rather bland. I never consult her.</li>
<li>Hook (if any): Both of my parents are entirely deaf. I am an immigrant (I moved here when I was 3 though haha), first gen American, my dad didn't go to college, I know Hindi, sign language, and English.</li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurriculars: Utterly horrible in my opinion. I never realized how bad they were until I saw this forum and see people that could run for Jesus (sorry if I offend anyone)</p>

<p>These are the ones I listed:</p>

<p>Mock Trial (11, 12)- I did three roles. Prosecution Lawyer, Defense Expert Witness, and Court Clerk. I also wrote my commonapp essay about it because I want to go into law.
Baseball (11, 12)- 2nd baseman, right fielder
Math Tutor: (10,11, 12)- 600 massive hours, but a rather bland extracurricular.
Volunteer at school for deaf (100 hours-ish) senior year
Mexico Mission Service (11) trip was cancelled this year unfortunately. I really wanted to go. (and it would have buffed my admissions a little)
Student Assocation (Student Emphasis Coordinator)- I did nothing, but I'm hoping colleges don't know that. All I did was encourage people to come to trivial SA activities. I was quite honest in the small space allotted, but of course I did not make it sound negative.
Chess Club (9, 10) - I regret putting this down incredibly, but it was a space-filler.</p>

<p>Location/Person:</p>

<pre><code>* State or Country: California
* School Type: Private
* Ethnicity: Indian (the one with the dot unfortunately)
* Gender:Male
</code></pre>

<p>Other Notes:</p>

<p>I've done credited Summer School at Yale. Earned a grade of B+ and B in classes respectively (whoo grade inflation)
Also done SS at UCSD (got an A)
Noncredited programs at Georgetown (IR and American politics)</p>

<p>I've dormed at colleges for about a total of 15 weeks, which I consider a long time, but I don't know, people here intimidate me.</p>

<p>My school does not offer APs, unfortunately, and I haven't taken any tests. I feel screwed in that area.</p>

<p>Anyways, that's about it. Chances are greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>If I made a mistake, please feel free to correct me and I'll do my best to learn from it.</p>

<p>Thank you, thank you, and thank you.</p>

2

<p>I think you might get a bit screwed by the lack of APs... otherwise solid app. </p>

<p>College or Engineering?</p>

<p>and I admit I too was tempted by the ridiculous curve on Physics.</p>

3

<p>I think you have a decent chance. Hopefully you do well on your physics test!</p>

<p>Yeah, I had the same reaction when I saw some of the ECs other people do and I too was freaked out. But the alumni and current students and other more qualified individual keep on reminding us that it's not about how important your ECs look to others, it's about how important those ECs are too you. If you convey great passion for what you do, no matter how insignificant or common place those activities may seem, you are set for that category. So I hope you showed a lot of passion for what you do in your essay. And honesty is good--shows that you are not some self-conscious liar.</p>

<p>Asian male will definitely hurt you but it's good that you are first generation! :)</p>

<p>For the APs, no offense, if I were you, I would've taken the initiative to do some on my own. 2 of my own APs were self taught and I requested our honors program manager to get those tests for me. I think you can also take them at other schools that offer them (the tests). But then again, the Adcoms might simply take into account that your school didnt offer any APs and give you a leeway. I'm not too sure. </p>

<p>Well good luck! Your chances really depend on 4 things at this point: the quality of your essay, whether you showed any genuine interest for CU, your teachers and counselor's rec letters, and whether you are applying to CC or Engineering. Most likely, it's easier to get accepted to Engineering.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
I went above and beyond courseload offerings at my school. No one has attempted this courseload before. 9 periods both semesters jr/sr years.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Hint to your counselor that this should be in his/her recommendation letter.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Ethnicity: Indian (the one with the dot unfortunately)

[/quote]

LOL</p>

<p>
[quote]
My school does not offer APs, unfortunately, and I haven't taken any tests. I feel screwed in that area.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Don't worry too about this. I don't think there was much to be done that was reasonable.</p>

<p>What were your essays about?</p>

5

<p>wow both of your parents are deaf. that is very unusual. If you stressed this in your essay, you could have one great story. Your EC's are lacking, but I think you have a shot</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
Most likely, it's easier to get accepted to Engineering.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Care to justify your assertion?</p>

7

<p>Thank you all for your feedback greatly.</p>

<p>Columbia College, not engineering. </p>

<p>And, i have tried to alleviate some of the AP stress with actual college classes instead of AP tests. I'm not sure if this will help or hinder me, but I did make an effort to reach outside the scope of the school. I'm taking Calculus (because it isn't offered), College English, and Psychology at a local university.</p>

<p>I'm surprised I wasn't shot down so fast, I'm assuming it's because of the "hook." My commonapp/Columbia essay was somewhat straightfoward and sincere. It was well-written but I did not take an abstract angle on my parental situation. In the supplements of each school, I believe I have taken creative angles in my writing. I think my essays were well-done, but I did write them quickly. There aren't any typos, etc., but I only went through about 3 drafts instead of like 100.</p>

<p>Again, thank you guys. This forum has been very helpful to me.</p>

8

<p>"wow both of your parents are deaf. that is very unusual. If you stressed this in your essay, you could have one great story." - ruskie</p>

<p>Wow, that would be disgusting. It would seem like the OP is taking advantage of his parents' disabilities to get into college.</p>

<p>He will write what he intends to write.</p>

9

<p>To the above post, it's been a significant part of my history, and so I did write about them. I wouldn't call it "taking advantage" of it, I just feel that it's what sets me apart from everyone I know.</p>

<p>In general, I wrote about "voice". My parents weren't the sole topic. I included my grandmother (who doesn't speak English well). If any of you have read Amy Tan's Mother Tongue, it was quite similar to that style.</p>

10

<p>shadow of intent how the hell is that taking advantage of your parents. No offense but that is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Your parents have a significant impact on your life. I don't mean do the pity story, where you want the adcoms to feel bad for you, but for them to realize what you have been through and how you have become a better person because of that. I live with one permanently disabled parent and it has been one of the hardest things I have had to deal with, but because of that I have grown so much. Living with two disabled parents is quite an "accomplishment"</p>

11

<p>To CrookedI- Based on rates of admission:
The overall admit rate for Columbia College was 8.68%.
The overall admit rate for Columbia Engineering was 17.6%</p>

<p>And it wasn't clear in his original post what he wanted to major in, so based on his SAT II scores and his math tutoring, I thought math was his strongest point and maybe his interest lies there. But apparently I inferred incorrectly. </p>

<p>To incognito123: If you don't mind me asking...when you say SDA, do you mean San Dieguito Academy? That school is a really good school. Much better compared to mine :)</p>

12

<p>To KitKatz: I meant a Seventh-Day Adventist Academy. Tbh, I don't like it here much.</p>

<p>I'm somewhat sticking with Mathematics, because I intend to major in Econ. But, the physics is just another score since I messed up lit quite horribly. I don't even know why.</p>

<p>To ruskie:</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

13

<p>Oh, haha :) There's an SDA where I lived. I was a little confused because to my knowledge, San Dieguito Academy was never a religious school. lol.
Sorry you don't like your high school. that kind of sucks. High school is supposed to be enjoyable :p</p>

<p>Oh and that make sense too. Good luck</p>

14

<p>haha, I know. I have friends, but I don't like the teachers here much (with exceptions of course).</p>

<p>But I really look forward to college and graduation.</p>

15

<p>"Wow, that would be disgusting. It would seem like the OP is taking advantage of his parents' disabilities to get into college."</p>

<p>Not true. This would make a great essay--and it seems like the OP wrote it tastefully. Good luck!</p>

16

<p>Anyone can take AP tests, you don't have to wait for the school to provide a course. If you are taking college courses in calculus or psychology, that should be good preparation. And you can always buy an AP book and read it.</p>

17

<p>"To CrookedI- Based on rates of admission:
The overall admit rate for Columbia College was 8.68%.
The overall admit rate for Columbia Engineering was 17.6%"</p>

<p>that's because engineering schools are self selective and this is esp true for seas, since it is brutal as an engineering school and require kids to do part of the core. Dumber kids and much more of them apply to the college. Overall seas actually beats columbia college on any objective measure of competitiveness (sat scores, % of class in top 10% of hs class). it is a massive (and unfortunate) misconception that seas is easier to get into, because you have kids coming in thinking they have easier competition at seas and then they get lambasted in the first couple of semesters. Anecdotally seas and CC kids are about as smart, i find more variation in CC, more crazy geniuses and more duumb kids.</p>

18

<p>"shadow of intent how the hell is that taking advantage of your parents. No offense but that is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Your parents have a significant impact on your life. I don't mean do the pity story, where you want the adcoms to feel bad for you, but for them to realize what you have been through and how you have become a better person because of that. I live with one permanently disabled parent and it has been one of the hardest things I have had to deal with, but because of that I have grown so much. Living with two disabled parents is quite an "accomplishment" - ruskie</p>

<p>"Not true. This would make a great essay--and it seems like the OP wrote it tastefully. Good luck!" - cerberus08</p>

<p>All I am asking you guys is not to influence incognito into writing about his parents disabilities just because it would make a "great essay". If the OP has already included that because it portrays his character in his essay, that would be fine. </p>

<p>I understand very well that the OP and you, ruskie, must have gone through a lot, but labeling it as an accomplishment is not....right in an ethical sense.</p>

<p>A friend of mine died this year and it did wrench my heart. However, I did not want to include that in my essay not because it I wasn't affected by it, but that it would be a betrayal on my part if I put it down just to evoke sympathy from the adcom. The way ruskie put it down in his first post is almost like he/she was inviting the OP to write about his parents because it would set him apart and make "a great story." The OP will write about what he seems fit, because he knows best.</p>

<p>"To the above post, it's been a significant part of my history, and so I did write about them. I wouldn't call it "taking advantage" of it, I just feel that it's what sets me apart from everyone I know.</p>

<p>In general, I wrote about "voice". My parents weren't the sole topic. I included my grandmother (who doesn't speak English well). If any of you have read Amy Tan's Mother Tongue, it was quite similar to that style." - incognito</p>

<p>If it is truly your voice, you will have a great essay.</p>

<p>I apologise for any misunderstanding. I did not mean to offend anyone.</p>

19

<p>^i don't think you're getting the point:</p>

<p>"I understand very well that the OP and you, ruskie, must have gone through a lot, but labeling it as an accomplishment is not....right in an ethical sense."</p>

<p>Aha, but it is an accomplishment to have achieved what you have with such a set back to start off with. Even if it isn't an accomplishment directly, it indirectly is a huge accomplishment as it puts his other achievements into perspective. this set back is like any other; poverty, being physically disabled etc. It should especially be talked about if he has grown through the experience, and I can't see him growing more through any other. Where you find it unethical is completely beyond me. He isn't using his parents or anything, he's had a serious set back in his life (because of his parents) and deserves and should talk about it.</p>

<p>"A friend of mine died this year and it did wrench my heart. However, I did not want to include that in my essay not because it I wasn't affected by it, but that it would be a betrayal on my part if I put it down just to evoke sympathy from the adcom."</p>

<p>again people don't write about this stuff to evoke sympathy in anyone, they write for the reasons I've discussed above. You could well talk about your friend's death if that has massively affected the way you function. You aren't betraying him/her by doing so, you are discussing how his/her death has affected you.</p>

<p>"The way ruskie put it down in his first post is almost like he/she was inviting the OP to write about his parents because it would set him apart and make "a great story." The OP will write about what he seems fit, because he knows best."</p>

<p>Unless the OP has as amazing a scenario, I would encourage the OP to write about this as it could set him apart and it could make a great story from the looks of it.</p>

<p>The reasoning that 'ooh, we all have our set backs and shouldn't make them public / discuss them" is simply not valid because in certain circumstances (this is one of them), the set back is so big that it puts all accomplishments in a different context altogether. Set backs have shades of gray, a line needs to be drawn and this is pretty close to black (or white).</p>

20

<p>To Shadow:</p>

<p>Ohh, I already wrote my essays haha.</p>

<p>I'm not offended or anything, I get you. </p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to post.</p>