Chances at RD?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Chinese female in California public high school
Canadian citizen, living in California for 6+ years</p>

<p>Scores:
PSAT: 222
SAT I: 2290 Math: 720/750 CR: 750 Writing: 790
SAT II US History: 760
SAT II Math: 800
SAT II Bio: 720 ugh...</p>

<p>GPA: 3.93 UW, top 5% of class</p>

<p>AP Scores:
US History - 4
Calculus AB - 5</p>

<p>IB Scores:
Visual Arts - 6</p>

<p>Awards/Honors: National Merit Semifinalist, Principal's Honor Roll (9-12), Published Poems in "World Journal" (10), API Scholarship from CCEA</p>

<p>Courseload - Full Diploma IB</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule:
IB Biology 2
IB English 2
IB Global Studies
IB TOK
IB Chinese 2
IB Math 2</p>

<p>Extended Essay on Polymerization of Microtubules in S.pombe yeast</p>

<p>ECS:
Piano: 7 years - Level 8 Certificate of Merit
Horseback Riding: 4 years - Most Improved Award
PR; Chinese Club: 9th
Treasurer; Cancer Awareness Club: 11th, 12th
Webmaster; L'espoir (jewelry club sending proceeds to Children's Town in Malambanya): 11th, 12th
AMSA Pre-Med Conference
Relay 4 Life
Varsity Girl's Golf: 12th
Natural Resources Management Internship; Biological Assay Manager (11th, 12th)
Internship with UCD Professor: 11th, 12th
Assistant Counselor for Equestrian Summer Camp: summer totalling approx 100-150 hours (11th, 12th) Favorite Counselor Award
~300+ hours Community Service</p>

<p>Recs:
Bio teacher - outstanding
Eng teacher - good
UCD Professor - v. good
Counselor - no clue, it's a big school so I'd expect a generic one</p>

<p>should I also add an abstract?</p>

2

<p>Most of the adcoms do not know what microtubules are, so try not to have an essay that is a science paper. You've got good stats so it'll come down to all the intangibles.</p>

3

<p>oh oops. haha I suppose I should have elaborated on the Extended Essay. It's actually just a requirement for the IB Diploma. As for my application essay, I'm still working out the problems. :)</p>

4

<p>Your profile fits the mold of a "bright, well-rounded kid", rather than a "1-2 dimensional superstar", "future researcher", etc. so as such, i see nothing in your profile that puts you ahead of many other BWRKs. My advice is to write a very insightful essay, one that makes you stop and think, several times, about whether you're embarassed to be revealing the personal details you're revealing. If it feels "safe", it's probably generic. Be bold and maybe you'll catch the right slant for the admissions officer.</p>