Chances for 2012...serious.

Colleges & Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Columbia is undisputably my number one choice; the school has been a dream of mine since the 8th grade. I've never visited, I probably never will. Come to think of it, I haven't yet visited a single college for financial reasons. Anyhow, I will do whatever it takes to get into Columbia; someone send me in the right direction.</p>

<p>GPA UW: 3.91
Class Rank: 17/396
Male
Race: White, Russian immigrant
School: Public, NC
SAT I: 720 M, 710 CR, 800 W
SAT II: 800 US, 730 MathII, 740 Physics
Junior: AP Computer Science AB, AP English, AP US History, PreCalculus, Physics HN
Senior: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, AP Macro/Microeconomics, AP German, AP English, AP Government and Politics, AP Psychology</p>

<p>ECs:
Key Club
National Honors Society
Chess Club (officer, insert Russian jokes here, will continue to play chess competitively if Columbia has some sort of team)
Young Democrats (president next year)
German Club (president)
Global Awareness Club
Academic Team (captain)
Work 15-20 hours a week at a local grocery store</p>

<p>Let me elaborate on a few things. I work not because I like having spending money, but because I have no other choice. As soon as I turned 16, I understood that I would have to get a job, no questions asked. I've been at the same place for two years now and I don't plan on leaving until the Fall of '08. I'm living in a single parent home, father pays no child support (actually, I'm not entirely certain that he's still even living); ergo, working is a necessity, not following the common misconception that people my age work to buy expensive clothes or whatever. Most recently, I "adopted" a child through the Christian Children's Fund and send an extra $22 to this young lad in the Phillipines every month. I know what it feels like to be in that sort of situation - better I spend the extra money I have on something that benefits someone else than on a pair of shades.</p>

<p>My essay is going to be, for lack of a better term, extremely badass. If the question remains "describe an event that has influenced who you are" or whatever it was last year, I plan on recounting how I "lost" my father (not going into great detail right now). I'll tell you this much - the story is wildly spectacular, definitely not what the admissions officers read a few thousand times a day.</p>

<p>I fluently speak three languages (Russian, Ukrainian, and English). I have some degree of mastery over Polish and Georgian, to the point that if you were to drop me in the middle of either of these countries, I would be perfectly fine.</p>

<p>I intend to go into Columbia College as a Physics/Mathematics or perhaps Economics major...the choice is wide open at this point.</p>

<p>Lastly, I am applying Early Decision.</p>

<p>I'd like to thank everyone in advance and ask everyone for honest responses. Praise me, butcher me, do your worst.</p>

2

<p>EC's are a little lacking but solid GPA and scores.</p>

<p>I think with a really good essay you stand a pretty good chance.</p>

<p>Edit: any awards for chess or anything that is on the level of state/national distinction?</p>

3

<p>Although your GPA is good, your rank seems a little low and you'll definitely want to improve that SAT score. But you certainly have a chance, I just don't think it's that great...but if you get your SAT up 100 or 150 points, you'll be a very good candidate.</p>

4

<p>Adding 100 to 150 points to my current SAT score...?</p>

<p>So a 2350+ is necessary? I somehow don't buy that in its entirety.</p>

<p>To counter the class rank issue, our class is EXTREMELY competitive and the ranks have been disputed on a regular basis. Certain students that went to a private school freshman year received some extra bits of QPA and thus are above me even though their grades pale in comparison to mine. This is why I think class rank is full of crap. :)</p>

<p>As for the chess, nothing major, just some regional tournaments. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those chess prodigies who are Grandmasters at 15.</p>

5

<p>I disagree with the SAT thing. Considering that he is
a) an immigrant
b) from a single parent household
and c) works to support himself,</p>

<p>i think a 2230 is just peachy</p>

<p>also, he is well within the top 5% of his class and he still has this semester to see if that gets pushed up any.</p>

<p>i think his hook/essay (if well written) will make up for the very minor things mentioned</p>

6

<p>I should be pushing 9th-12th after this semester...I'm going to make straight A's. That also means a + in GPA, yay.</p>

7

<p>If your income is low apply through HEOp, which covers FULL TUITION..but i think ure SAT scores cant be above a 610...HEOP is the way to go, full tuition, money for books, room and board, and personal tutors..call Jason Collado hes the director and speak to him..Honestly you deserve to be in Columbia! I wish you the best of luck!</p>

8

<p>oh by the way ED= no financial aid..which I am assuming you need..47,000 is a big loan!</p>

9

<p>Err, I was not aware that getting in through ED yields no financial aid...</p>

<p>Anyone else can confirm this? Doesn't sound reasonable.</p>

10

<p>i think you have a good shot at getting in- the ECs or " a little low rank" even tho thats not low at all, these are overturned by your situation- very good shot</p>

11

<p>I am 120% sure that you can get financial aid if you apply ED. The thing is that it will be the only financial aid package you'll receive from a college, so you can't compare and choose the best offer.</p>

12

<p>I speculate that my financial aid package won't be too shabby considering we haul in about half of what tuition is. And I can write "N/A" all over the non-custodial parent's form.</p>

13

<p>Oh, and if this matters at all...</p>

<p>My guidance counselor is a lady that's been a "mentor" to me since elementary school. She was there when the incident with my pops happened, and she was one of the people that initially helped me get through everything without losing my sanity. I have a feeling she'll write me an A+ rec.</p>

<p>As for teacher recs, one of the teachers is the closest thing I've had to a father since it all went downhill. We have a great deal of mutual respect for one another. He's someone I talk to when I'm having trouble, be it in or out of school. Again, I know he'll write me an incredible rec.</p>

14

<p>It always helps when the people writing your recs know you really well. Solid chance.</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
oh by the way ED= no financial aid..which I am assuming you need..47,000 is a big loan!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>someone doesnt know what they are talking about.</p>

<p>Duygu said it correctly, you just wont be able to compare.</p>

<p>also, its a ways off but you're gonna have to jump thru some hoops for your fin aid stuff. i had a similar situation in which i didnt know if my dad was even alive when i applied and it was an annoyance conveying that on paper</p>

<p>lastly, i could be wrong but i think HEOP is for NY state applicants only...but you're outside the requirements anyways so its nothing to think about</p>

16

<p>...ooh, that does sounds like a pain.</p>

<p>I don't know what country he's in, have no clue about his address or phone number, nothing like that...I hope it doesn't end up being too rough.</p>

17

<p>actually Columbia has NOP which is similar to heop and you dont have to be a NYS resident...duraks!</p>

18

<p>Took me a minute to register "duraks"...</p>

<p>You know, have to switch my brain from "English Mode" to "Russian Mode".</p>

<p>As an aside, my SAT scores are too high for that program, I believe.</p>

19

<p>honestly the columbia fin.aid people are really really helpful. they will help you get everything you need to prove you are a 1 parent household. hell, if you're lucky you might be able to claim independent status since you work for a living too</p>

20

<p>I just want to echo that in no way are your SATs going to hold you back. On a more personal note, getting retail/clerk-type jobs in high school was absolutely crucial to me getting a little maturity. I think that speaks well of you and will be factored in by the admissions committee.</p>

<p>That said, while you are clearly a Bright, Well-Rounded Kid™, there is nothing in your application that, to me, would stand out to make you more intriguing than the next 5 applicants all of whom have similar scores and ECs. I don't see high achievement or recognition for anything, aside from the large set of APs which at this point is somewhat wishcasting (i.e., who knows how you're going to do on those ones senior year).</p>

<p>Lightning could always strike, and your essays/blurbs could strike just the right note that lets your regional officer realize that you're a man of character, personality, maturity and ambition. But absent that, one of two things probably needs to happen:</p>

<p>1) You achieve 'star' status in one of your intellectual pursuits, either in chess, academic team, or something else semi-competitive. I note athletics are lacking from your profile so it'll probably have to be something academic. The point is to stand out in terms of your commitment, or achievement.</p>

<p>2) You take a year off after high school, and do something with your gap year that shows a broader personality, maturity, or (for lack of a better word) drive. Join a software startup. Organize for major civic-minded events. Be a park ranger in Hawaii. Hell, join the Peace Corps if all else fails. But do something that broadens your horizons and makes you a more interesting person from an application standpoint.</p>

<p>Only 8.9% of Columbia applicants have to be stars in something for your app to not stand out. Make it stand out somehow.</p>