chances at Columbia University?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I would really appreciate some opinions on my chances at Columbia University. Thanks for reading this. </p>

<p>Academics
GPA: 3.2 unweighted, 3.6 weighted (I know its bad, but that's because of my first two lazy high school years, and I have my senior year to go)</p>

<p>SAT: crit reading - 720, writing - 730, math - 680</p>

<p>I'm in Governors School and will have 10 AP classes done by the end of high school
National Merit Scholar, National High School Scholar (Not very hard to get)</p>

<p>Extra
piano, guitar, violin, drums (no awards for these though)
art (in local art shows)
member of national art honor society, spanish club, young democrats (hopefully leadership next year)
starting club based on service in Africa
fluent in Swahilli</p>

<p>Also, I'm an African American female from Virginia (should help b/c there aren't a lot of Virginians that go to Columbia)</p>

<p>Do you think they'll consider that I'm on a 6 point grading scale? (my gpa would be significantly higher if we were on the 10 point scale).</p>

<p>Wow. If you got through all that, thank you. I look forward to hearing more opinions than my own stressed out take.</p>

2

<p>Unlikely. It’s a mid to high reach for you. You’re GPA is sub-par for your average Ivy League applicant, your SAT scores are average, you have good EC’s and the URM thing going for you, but that’s about it. Write killer essays and amazing letters of recommendation and you might have a shot if you apply EA, but it still seems like a reach.</p>

3

<p>I agree, my GPA really messed me up. I wish I was as motivated as I am now.
I’m sorry, but what’s URM?</p>

4

<p>underrepresented minority</p>

5

<p>Your GPA is going to hurt you a lot. The rest of your application is strong. Go here and see what other students did to get in: [■■■■■■■■■■■■■</a> - Columbia University](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■.com/college.php?college=13#accepted]■■■■■■■■■■■■■”>http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■.com/college.php?college=13#accepted). This student has a profile similar to yours: [■■■■■■■■■■■■■</a> - sheslostcontrol](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■.com/profile.php?user=36]■■■■■■■■■■■■■”>http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■.com/profile.php?user=36)</p>

6

<p>Columbia is a difficult school to get in. Your GPA is going to hurt you, but you can explain how you improved over the years in your essays, give a little sob story.</p>

<p>Your other areas are strong.</p>

<p>i say low reach but essays might give you an advantage if written amazing.</p>

7

<p>Even given your URM status, you have a low chance.</p>

8

<p>What if I could raise my GPA up to a 3.5, get higher SAT scores, and get a couple leadership positions. Do you think I would have a chance then?</p>

9

<p>You would have a chance regardless, but with those improvements it would be a much more realistic chance.</p>

10

<p>You should be able to reach the schools with an improved GPA along with fantastic essays, and given the URM will likely to increase your odds.</p>

<p>Retake the SATs and try to score above 2250, since they have a high average SAT score.</p>

<p>Other than that, you should have some safety schools in mind as well as some reaches.</p>

11

<p>If you can manage to get 2250+ (preferably 2300+) that may compensate for GPA. And since there’s a trend of improvement, they may understand.</p>

<p>Try entering art competitions, perhaps. Get some more depth in ECs.</p>

<p>And don’t forget, you’re black.</p>

<p>I’d say you have a decent chance at Columbia. Things are still gonna be tough, but if your recs and letter kick ass too, you’ll have a fair shot.</p>