chances for Columbia ED

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I've never posted here before. Gasp.</p>

<p>I go to an all-girls college prep boarding school in upstate NY which I think has a good reputation among the Ivy Leagues. I want to apply to Columbia (College, not Engineering) for early decision. I'm obviously a junior now. I'm a white girl from Long Island, NY and I would probably need financial aid.</p>

<p>Here goes...</p>

<p>-Grades-
My school doesn't give out A+s (they just don't exist here), GPAs, or ranks; however, I have never gotten a report card grade lower than A- and they are mostly As. I take advanced courses -- at least one year ahead in most subjects -- and my school is known for having an extremely rigorous curriculum. I've also done some eclectic things like taking high school biology in 7th grade and starting the two-year AP Computer Science track in 9th grade.</p>

<p>-SATs-
French SAT-II (9th) : 660
PSAT (10th) : 213
PSAT (11th) : 223
Old SAT (11th) : 760 v + 740 m = 1500
New SAT (11th) : 800 cr + 740 m + 790 w = 2330, 9/12 essay
I don't plan on retaking the SAT even though that 9 is kind of annoying. I don't understand how I got a 9 on the essay and wound up with a 790... Anyway, for SAT-IIs, I'm taking French again and Math IC in a few days. I will most likely take either Math IIC or Physics at the beginning of next year.</p>

<p>-APs-
Computer Science AB (10th) : 4
French (11th) : haven't gotten it back, guessing a 5
I'm taking Calculus BC, Physics C, and US Government and Politics senior year. My school doesn't offer many APs, probably because the regular courses are already almost college-level. Honestly, I only take AP courses in subjects I like, which <em>I</em> think is a good thing because it shows I'm somewhat focused. Not sure colleges will agree. -_-</p>

<p>-Extracurriculars-
Choir (9-12)
Inner choir (11-12)
Semiquavers select a capella (probably, 12)
Ski club (9)
Contemporary dance (9-10)
Small role in The Tempest (10)
Japanese and Korean language tutorials (9 and 10 respectively)
Anime club (hahaha, somehow I don't think this is very impressive... 10-12)
Junior a capella group (11)
Senior a capella group (probably, 12)
Acting club (probably, 12)
Yearbook photographer (11-12)
Peer Educator (11)
Proctor (12)</p>

<p>Both Peer Educator and Proctor are really respected and demanding leadership positions, for those who don't know. You're not allowed to have both which is why I'm dropping Peer Ed... it's considered good training for being a proctor.</p>

<p>-Awards-
French award (9)
Two Computer Science awards (10)
Harvard book award (11)
I was told earlier this year that I will probably be a National Merit semifinalist, but I haven't heard anything about it yet. :|</p>

<p>-Summers-
Intensive language program in France (this was right before 8th grade so it doesn't really count)
Japanese study : 3+ years
Voice study : many years off and on, only last summer seriously
Personal web and graphic design : 5+ years
Farming/gardening job : this coming summer
Web design job : this coming summer
Lifeguarding certification : questionable, this coming summer</p>

<p>My recommendations and essay will be good. In my opinion, I also have "strength of character," "the scholarly habits of an intellectual life" and stuff like that, which should show in an interview -- I don't think it's required for Columbia, but I'd like to do one. I DESPERATELY want to go to this school. My heart belongs there and I adore New York City. I hope they take notice of my love for the place.</p>

<p>I also kind of maybe have a legacy because my grandfather went to dental school there...?</p>

<p>Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm just curious what people here think. The other schools I'm seriously thinking about are NYU, U Penn, and U Chicago.</p>

2

<p>I think you have a good chance. But for Columbia the stats are kind of awry. I have seen a lot of kids getting waitlisted while being accepted at Harvard and such. But I think ED will difinitely give you the edge you need. Good luck:)</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the quick reply. That's encouraging to hear. =D</p>

4

<p>YOu have a pretty good chance...oh yeah what's the name of your school, anyway?</p>

5

<p>It's Emma Willard School.</p>

6

<p>oh, seems pretty preppy</p>

7

<p>Yeah, it is. Well, it's a college preparatory school, so...</p>

8

<p>thanks for the notification, anyway, your score sare really good and prolly with ED (or RD, whichever) it think you have a good chance of getting in.</p>

9

<p>Cool, thanks for your response.</p>

10

<p>As soon as you said upstate new york I knew you went to Emma Willard. I go to the really competitive all-girls school in CT. I usually don't comment on chances but I sort of have insight into your situation. You have very good chance by grades and sats alone. But your leadership positions and your acapella stuff shows you are dedicated (i don't know if anyone else realizes this... but proctors and acapella groups can be extremely competitive in prep schools).
Good luck.</p>

11

<p>Miss Porter's, right? It's good to know someone knows what I'm talking about when I say stuff like proctor and a capella. Haha. You're right, they can get super competitive. A lot of people (me included) tend to be rather... emotionally invested in those types of things. Well, thanks!</p>