Chances at my Absolute Dream College

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Statistics
GPA: 3.95 (uw)/ 4.65 (school's w)/ 4.85 (most college's w)
SAT I: 2280 (can try to bring up)
SAT II: Biology-780, Chemistry-760, Math I-740, Latin-760, US Hist-780
AP: Geography-4, Biology-5, Chemistry-4, Latin-4, US Hist-5
Rank: School does not rank</p>

<p>Classes: the most rigorous that school offers (extremely rigorous and small high school)
Freshman- English 1, Biology, Latin 2, US History, Geometry Honors, Musicianship
Sophomore- English 2 Honors, Latin 3 Honors, Chemistry Honors, Alg.2 Honors, AP Human Geography
Junior- English 3 Honors, AP Latin, AP Biology, AP US Hist, Pre-Calc Honors
(College Latin in Summer)
Senior- AP English, AP Chemistry, AP Gov, AP Calc ab, AP Enviro Science</p>

<p>Region: Orange County, California
Ethinicity: Asian-American</p>

<p>EC's</p>

<p>Mathematics and Verbal Talent Search State Award, Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (2 years)
Men's Crew (Rowing) in many club and state competitions (Fr-Sr 4 years)
Eagle Scout and Boy Scout for life (age 5 - Sr. Year)
PSAT/NMSQT Semi-finalist
Hospital Volunteering (>1500 hours, 3 years)
Newspaper (3 years So-Sr), Editor (Jr), Editor-in-Chief (Sr)
Tae Kwon Do Certified Black Belt
English/Story Scholarships
Cum Laude Society
Headmaster Honor Roll (Fr-So 4 years)
All-School Jazz Band (So-Sr 3 years)</p>

<p>Summer</p>

<p>Hospital Volunteer (2 summers)
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (2 summers)
College Classes at local college (2 summers)
Italy/Greece Academic Latin Trips
Extensive Travel</p>

<p>Hi,
I am currently a junior, and my SAT score can be brought up if that is an issue, should i retake it for a better score?</p>

<p>I have been dreaming about Columbia my whole life and would absolutely die of happiness if i got in. </p>

<p>What are my strong/weak points and how good of a shot do I have of getting in?
What advise could you give me to improve myself?</p>

<p>BTW, i will be applying to Columbia College Early Decision!</p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>you are qualified and have a good shot, but Columbia is only getting tougher. Did you get the 2280 on your first try? Very nice. </p>

<p>Retake if you want, but only if you think you could raise it by a substantial amount. 2280 is a good score for Columbia.</p>

<p>Strengths: GPA, courseload.</p>

<p>No weaknesses really; your test scores and EC are kinda run of the mill which just means they put you in the running to me.</p>

3

<p>It looks like you have a chance. Maybe getting a higher SAT score will make you stand out more. You're currently taking AP Bio and US History this year as a junior and you've already taken the AP Bio and US History exams?</p>

4

<p>I think it's fantastic and that you've got a great shot. I'm not saying that a higher SAT won't help and I certainly won't discourage you from trying to get a better one but you've got an awesome shot. Keep it up!</p>

5

<p>If you weren't asian, You'd be a sure thing.</p>

6

<p>thanks, i think i can bring it up to a 2300 or a little better maybe if i get lucky.</p>

<p>about the AP exams that I havent already taken, I have taken sooo many practice tests for the ones that I havent already taken, and listed the ones that Im almost sure I will get that grade on it.</p>

<p>when you say "run of the mill", what do you think I could do to separate myself, or to stand out?</p>

7

<p>2280 is a score you should be satisfied with. The difference between that and a 2400 is careless errors, not lack of understanding or brainpower. Admissions knows this.</p>

<p>Focus instead on pursuing your academic and extracurricular passions - and getting some sleep. You're on track, just be sure that the things you're doing you actually enjoy doing. Depth is more important than breadth.</p>

8

<p>ColumbiaDream</p>

<p>Are you a junior or Senior high school student?
If you are a junior, how can you declare now as a National Merit Semifinal?
It suppose to be announced in September 13, 2007</p>

9

<p>If she is far above the California State cutoff for the previous year, she can be certain even though it won't be announced until Sept.</p>

10

<p>There's a score index for each state. It pretty much stays the same every year +/- 1 point. So if someone gets a 225+, he can pretty much say he's NMS-SF</p>

11

<p>I think better do not to do this kind of assume thing.
If the score is 225+ and you are not living in MA or NJ, so can you just declare yourself right to finalist? By the way John Hopkins talent search may not be count, it just a search for middle school student.</p>

12

<p>yeah I got a 231 in california.
i guess CTY isnt that important, i guess i just felt like i might list it.</p>

<p>as in getting more in-depth, if i work really hard at crew to improve my scores for the ergometer (standard scores for colleges), should I also contact the Crew coach or director of athletics?
and for Eagle Scout, I could get the gold palm? (highest rank of eagle)
I am really passionate about helping people medically, and have devoted lots of time to the hospital, and probably will have some of the doctors I know write a rec.
Maybe to be even more in-depth, I was thinking it would be good if I go on some trips to Africa, India, and Cuba with some UC San Diego Med students multiple times, because it looks really rewarding.</p>

<p>thanks a ton for the advice.</p>

13

<p>All those plans you made are helpful. May I ask why you want to attend Columbia over other schools of the same caliber? I'm just curious.</p>

14

<p>I absolutely love the atmosphere- highly urban, busy, big school, its prestigious, NYC, cold/snowy (i live in Southern California and am starting to hate the hot), dormlife, ive just always loved it, opposite to Cornell, which is rural and quieter, which Im not too fond of.</p>

15

<p>Current college admission guides the students to 'list' as many as ECs as they can. I think the true valuable items should be something like AMC, Intel, state level compititions, etc. A lot of ECs are just making impressive to the admission commette. Once you get in, nothing helpful. In any sense, college should be a place that academic is the first.</p>

<p>PSAT is a good thing, SAT can be re-taken many times
(PSAT also can be re-taken, but once a year and two times max during high school year)</p>

16

<p>columbia is overrated</p>

17

<p>well if the god of wine and merrymaking says so, who are we to contest?</p>

18

<p>
[quote]
columbia is overrated

[/quote]
</p>

<p>that really was a very odd post wasnt it? just kind of came out of nowhere O_o</p>

19

<p>been a lot of those complete non sequiturs lately.</p>