Chance of admission to Columbia

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Please give your honest opinion supplemented with research.</p>

<p>I plan on majoring in finance and minoring in mathematics. I also plan on further pursuing a master's degree in finance or quantitative analysis. I want to work on wall street.</p>

<p>The big catch is that I have been out of school for about 7 months and I plan on applying starting November this year. I've read several articles published by Harvard and other publications that state that taking a year off is actually encouraged, but I am still having some doubts. What will admissions think when I apply almost two years after I graduated? Should I include in my essay details of my mother's death? of her importance in my life? how this loss has affected me? Please let me know if I should, and also let me know if you think this leave of absence will exacerbate my chances or simply maintain my chances? Thanks.</p>

<p>--Stats--
GPA: 3.3
HPA: 4.2
Class Rank: 18
SAT I: CR-710, M-800, W-690</p>

<p>SAT II: Math Level 1 - 790, Math Level 2 - 800, US History - 660</p>

<p>AP Classes: World History - 4, Human Geography - 5, Music Theory - 3, Microeconomics - 5, Macroeconomics - 5, Statistics - 5, English Language and Composition - 4, Calculus AB - 5, Calculus BC - 5, and English Literature and Composition - 3, Italian Language and Culture - 3
(so 10 in all, micro+macro are one technically one course)</p>

<p>Community Service Hours: 1972 (I know it seems like too much, but I volunteered playing guitar for local events, was the chief salesperson for my school store, and led several fundraisers)</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Activities: Treasurer of SGA (money, budgeting, accounting), President of Math Club, I did the morning announcements through the PA (not visually), I lead the pep rallies senior year. </p>

<p>Sports: Captain of Cross Country (obviously 5k or 3.106 miles), Co-Captain Track (one mile, and 800 meters)</p>

<p>Internship: I've had an internship with Merrill Lynch from January last year to now. I basically stir up business for the brokers, but this one broker has sort of taken me under his wing, mentored me. I have learned much from him about the market, investing, personal finance, etc. I also get to attend ceremonies and lectures. Overall, I'm very glad I have had this opportunity.</p>

<p>Awards: Science Fair 2nd place (who cares, right?), Business Pathfinders Award</p>

<p>Random interests and hobbies: cycling, jazz guitar, weight lifting</p>

<p>Those are all of the categories I can think of right now. Thanks for your help.</p>

2

<p>Umm. I don’t know how old your post is, but I think I might be able to help a little.
Did you apply ED or RD?<br>
They accept more than twice the percentage of ED applicants than they do for RD.
I’ve got similar SAT scores to yours, but mine are a bit higher in all the categories, except we tied on CR. I’ve got a 4.0 as well and I’m hopeful but not confident that I’ll get in… Don’t worry about test scores/grades so much because you are qualified. It will just depend on whether or not the adcom that reads your application likes you. Try to make as much of the application as you can.</p>

<p>If you applied ED I’d say your chances are pretty good, but not so much with RD.</p>

<p>I wish you the best of luck, I wish everyone qualified could have the school of their choice.</p>