Chances for Columbia (Again)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I know I posted the same thing, but I updated some things:</p>

<p>SENIOR. which means I can't take the SAT again, for those of you who suggested that.
Female, 17
Raleigh, NC, USA
East Asian: Chinese
Private School (Independent Study)</p>

<p>Applied for Columbia College/Juilliard Exchange.
Applied as a MUSIC major for Columbia and a BM in Piano Performance for Juilliard. separate applications.
(I know I have a 0.000001% of making the exchange, but I applied anyway so the Columbia admissions officers have to listen to the supplemental CD that I sent them (they might not listen to it had I not applied for the exchange.)
I'm only asking for you to chance me for Columbia as it is the only non-music school/conservatory that I applied for.
The others pretty much only care that I graduate high school.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 for junior/senior year, 3.85 all four years.
I took two APs as a sophomore, then I left the public school system and started studying at home through Indiana University-Bloomington so I would have more time to practice piano. Indiana University doesn't offer APs, so I take all college level courses instead (100-level and 200-level). I'm sort of a special case because I'm not exactly part of a 'graduating class,' nor am I home-schooled since I have college professors teaching my courses.</p>

<p>TEST SCORES</p>

<p>SAT: 1940 (uhh, please don't judge) :(
-CR 610 M 690 W 640
SAT II Math I: 730
SAT II Literature: 720 (it shows that I improved from my CR score...)
SAT II Math II: 650</p>

<p>ESSAY/RECOMMENDATIONS</p>

<p>All 3 of my recommendations (one from english teacher, one from math teacher, and the counselor statement) are excellent.
I know all of them very well, and vice versa.</p>

<p>Here is my essay. If you could skim through it to get a better idea, that would be great. I think it's pretty good:
Liberation</a> Within Impermanence (click to enlarge)</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS</p>

<p>My ECs are not all over the place. Music is my most meaningful commitment, and I concentrate on that. I've been playing piano for about 13 years and violin for 9. I won't go into detail about my achievements, but I've appeared as a soloist with two orchestras and participated in music festivals in Italy and Hungary.</p>

<p>I did apply to Juilliard and was offered an audition after they reviewed my pre-screening recording. There were 180 people chosen from a little over 400. The 180 includes undergrads, grads, and various other degree programs so I'm not sure how many undergrads were chosen.</p>

<p>I was offered a full scholarship for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my musical and academic achievements.</p>

<p>I also submitted a photography slide. I started freshman year (so I've been doing it for about 4 years), but I do take it very seriously. I've contributed to various independent online magazines and participated in international art projects (although I didn't state it in my application...) Here is some of my work:
Photography</a> Portfolio</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER/JOB</p>

<p>Both of these activities involve music. I work as a piano accompanist (for about 4 years now) for people's recitals, auditions, etc... I play piano every week at a retirement community as my volunteer work (for about 3 years now). I think they'll see that these activities relate to my passion.</p>

<hr>

<p>I know that my test scores are working against me (BIG TIME), but I'm just not good at standardized testing!!! I've been debating whether to post my stats for a while for people to chance me, but I was pretty embarrassed about my scores.</p>

<p>I know Columbia's a very high reach, but I just wanted some reassurance that there's at least a SLIM chance I will be considered. I'm hoping that my music/art hook, essays, recs, grades, and the fact that I am applying as a music major for Columbia sort of compensate for low test scores.</p>

<p>Thanks guys :)</p>

2

<p>Despite ‘not up to the standard’ scores, you never know!</p>

3

<p>thanks. anyone else?</p>

4

<p>I’d say you have a 50-75% shot. Your very big on EC, could have had more AP, i think you may have a much better shot if you redo your SAT/or have strong recommendations.</p>

<p>just saw you can’t redo SAT, sorry.</p>

5

<p>thanks! well, i couldn’t take any more APs because the school i attend now doesn’t offer any. i took two as a sophomore, which i think is above average (some people don’t take APs until junior year). </p>

<p>thanks though :)</p>

6

<p>Your piano is outstanding in my opionion. I self taught myself up to bethoveen’s fur elise and thats it :D. I would have loved to hear you play!</p>

7

<p>aww thank you! that’s really cool that you self-taught yourself! i could never do that, haha! i would feel so lost without a teacher.</p>

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<p>Cant rly chance for schools like columbia. The only thing u got going for u is piano, everything else is below columbia standards. If all ur essays and recs reflect ur passion for music/art, u may be a low reach. I would say ur chances are pretty slim…</p>

9

<p>my gpa isn’t…and plus, you’ve already chanced me, and you said something different last time. haha.</p>

10

<p>bump…</p>

11

<p>No one can tell for the ivies, but you would seem like a significant student because of your music abilities.</p>

12

<p>Well you already got a full scholarship to UNC… :slight_smile: Congrats!
Sounds like you’re applying to some competitive program, but you’re in the ballpark, I’d say. Best of luck!</p>

<p>Chance me also! <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/867114-chances-number-one-school-wustl-please.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/867114-chances-number-one-school-wustl-please.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

13

<p>i think you still have a great chance being admitted by Columbia for your strong ECs and GPA… Tests really doesn’t matter so much as you consider.</p>

<p>Chance me also!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/866644-plz-chance-me-columbia-nyu-u-penn-georgetown-boston-college-brown-ucla.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/866644-plz-chance-me-columbia-nyu-u-penn-georgetown-boston-college-brown-ucla.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

14

<p>thank you!! (and I’ll chance those of you who want to be chanced back when I can get on a computer)</p>

<p>anyone else?</p>

15

<p>your EC rocks, but your test scores you already know. Also the fact that you did an independent study with all the home schooling and stuff makes you unique. I think you have a great shot. But to be honest in this world there are plenty of people that are talented in music and ALSO have great test scores/gpa. It all depends on the level of your talent in music, and you should compare yourself to others. Then you can consider if your music talent will save you from the test scores. Also the fact that your Chinese doesn’t help either. Aside from that I really think you have a good chance only if you truly convince the admission officials that you are crazy dedicated and will improve. Also, there are plenty of people who have your test scores that get in. But remember that Ivy League is like a dice roll. Lots of luck involved.</p>

16

<p>bisanch: yeah, I actually have thought a lot about the fact that many people are talented and have great test scores. but you never know, I think recs and essays also play a huge part in the process. </p>

<p>I have a feeling that the people who get into Ivies with the same test score range as mine are URMs :(</p>

<p>thank you for your input!</p>

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<p>bumpp…anyone else?</p>

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<p>To be quite honest, I wouldn’t even bother applying. you can still apply though, just for the whim</p>

19

<p>it seems like you didn’t even read my post. but i’ve already applied, thanks.</p>

20

<p>Heya!
Well I don’t know much about how to chance, but your ECs seems pretty good.
I went on the Columbia website, and your scores are a bit below average - but remember that’s just average. There will be people there with scores like yours.</p>

<p>I hope you get in!
I applied too :)</p>