<p>I am considering applying to Columbia during Early or Regular Decision. I think being accepted at Columbia would be feasible because I am a beneficiary of legacy preferences.</p>
<p>Transcript:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.6 at a prestigious private school that doesn't give out A+ grades.
Course-load: Very rigorous -- 7 AP classes</p>
<p>Standardized Tests:</p>
<p>SAT Math: 800
SAT Critical Reading: 700
SAT Writing: 720
SAT Composite: 2220</p>
<p>AP English Language: 5
AP US History: 4
AP Chemistry: 4</p>
<p>Debate Team Captain and Founder
Tri-M Music National Honor Society: 10, 11, & 12
UNITY/Gay-Straight Alliance: 9, 10, 11, & 12
Coalition for Global Change: 11 & 12
Jazz Band: 10, 11, & 12
Guitar Ensemble: 10, 11, & 12</p>
<p>Hooks:</p>
<p>Legacy
Music Rating (in all likelihood)</p>
<p>This Autumn I'm going to take the Literature and Math II SAT IIs and I am considering retaking the SAT I to improve my Critical Reading and Writing scores. Does anyone have any suggestions for improving my application and if I should apply during the Early Decision or Regular Decision periods?</p>
<p>SRV, I would do ED, just because acceptance rate wise it's much much higher, they say that the ED pool is stronger than the RD pool, but there is no way that the ED pool is that much stronger, acceptance rates were like 24.5% vs 8.5%. as for chances, i wouldn't bother retaking the SAT, you're SATs are above the average accepted student, SAT scores are more of a threshold, they might be more inclined to reject you if you have low SAT scores, but they dont take you because you have a high score. So focus on other things. those other things might be getting more AP fives, and in particular excelling at extracurricular activities, ECs are really where there is the most potential for substantial improvement, your ECs right now are good, but there are too many of them, you can't possibly be serious about 10 ECs (or at least they won't buy it), i'd whittle it down and excel at one or two more, play up those, mention the others if you have to. in college most people do no more than 2-3 ECs or 1 and at most two 2 with heavy involvement. the legacy and ed would help, giving you a good chance, but essays are very important, in such competitive pool, ecs and essays are your potential to stand out.</p>
<p>your EC's are probably your bigest weakness right now because nothing really stands out. If Columbia is your first choice, definiteyl ED. It'll help a lot.</p>
<p>"I am considering applying to Columbia during Early or Regular Decision. I think being accepted at Columbia would be feasible because I am a beneficiary of legacy preferences."</p>
<p>Do not write your application essays like that.</p>
<p>Approach the process with a different mindset and realize that your ECs are kind of blah. You seem to like running (but your athletic participation is spotty at best) and you play guitar.</p>
<p>Also: Odds are that music rating isn't going to get you in. The kids who get in with a music hook are kids who are going to get dual degrees from Julliard.</p>
<p>If you decide to go ED make sure you spend tons of time on your essay, that is indeed the first thing any admissions officer looks at. A very compelling essay can get personnel to favor you big time.</p>
<p>I think on a superficial level, my extra curricular activities are "kind of blah." However, many of the activities share common themes.</p>
<p>Running - XC Running, Indoor Track, Track & Field
Jazz Guitar - Tri-M, Jazz Band, Guitar Ensemble
Debate - Debate Club</p>
<p>Tennis is probably pretty haphazard. I had a talent for it going into high school and made the varsity team, but I've since lost interest for the sport. Should I choose not to mention it in my list of sports/ECs?</p>
<p>The remaing groups are somewhat generic and don't really express very much about me or the fields to which I've dedicated myself. UNITY, Gay-Straight Alliance, and the Coalition for Global Change simply speak for my interest in promoting awareness about contemporary issues. Should I choose not to mention the aforementioned three?</p>
<p>
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I am a beneficiary of legacy preferences
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I think on a superficial level, my extra curricular activities are "kind of blah."
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Should I choose not to mention the aforementioned three?
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Dude, if you talk like this in person, you'll get a lot of eye rolls even at columbia. Take yourself less seriously, thanks.</p>
<p>With regards to serious suggestions:</p>
<p>1) Don't retake the SAT. You've already proven you're smarter than the people who wrote the test - doing it again looks snotty and shows a misplaced sense of importance. Just because it is something quantifiable doesn't mean that it is the area that can have the greatest and most apparent improvement.</p>
<p>2) Your 3 major EC categories look like good variety. Tell us more about debate - is it policy, L-D, extemp, parliamentary? How have you done in tournaments?</p>
<p>3) Visit the school and think about what would be grist for your why-columbia blurb in the application. Come up with originally-phrased points to make, beyond "it's in NYC" and "you guys have a core curriculum and that's cool". Visiting really helped me with that.</p>
<p>and yeah, ED is a good bet if you really feel it's a great fit for you.</p>