<p>Well, I just finished up my Junior year of High School and I'm just now starting to narrow down where I want to end up going to college. Columbia, as with many others, is one of my dream schools blah blah blah. For those accepted or those well acquainted with the admission process, could you please enlighten me on my chance of gaining acceptance or some tips during the whole scheme of things?</p>
<p>Here We Go:
I am a white, male, living in Florida.
I go to a public high school (ranked top 500 in nation, which probably is nothing extraordinary).
I just completed Junior Year, as previously mentioned.
I am a Diploma Candidate for the International Baccalaureate Program
I have taken 3 AP classes thus far, and will be taking 2 more, I believe. This is all my school offers, and it is balanced out by all of the IB classes offered.
APHG-4 APWH-2 APENGLIT-Pretty sure I got a 1, lol but I'll find out soon.
I am pretty much assuming I got a 7 on my IB Spanish SL test, fingers crossed.
My current GPA(uw) is 3.48
As for Weighted, I am within in the 50/450 range, give or take.
SAT- 600 reading 580 math 570 writing (2 settings)
25 on ACT (first and only time)
Please don't merely point out that my SAT and ACT scores are obviously significantly lacking extreme merit, I know. I'm attempting to work on them.
I still need to take my SAT II's
Extra Curriculars:
Class of 2012 (sort of like sga, but for the individual classes).
-President in Freshmen year
-Vice President in Junior year
Academic Team (like quiz-bowl)
-Captain 10-12
SGA
-Historian 10th
Volunteer Work:
I teach English to Hispanics in my Local Community. I am the one who developed the program, which has been extremely successful. It's sort of a big deal in my area, not to sound conceited haha
I also serve as a translator for under privileged kids, who speak Spanish. I dedicate a lot of time to this, as well.</p>
<p>I've had two part time jobs over the course of high school. </p>
<p>I think I can make my essays pretty legit sounding, well at least I think I can. Like make it glossy sounding. That English Teaching program was a lot of work and there's a lot of meaning behind, like why I started it etc...</p>
<p>As for financial stats:
Parents are divorced. Dad is self-employed(middle class), while my mom is on SSI(disability) </p>
<p>Anything else worth nothing I'll be sure to add.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Well, I’m not sure if I’m the most qualified to chance you, but I’ll give it a shot! Your GPA and SAT scores are… low. I’m not going to lie, in order to even consider getting admitted, you would probably have to receive at least in the 2000 range for the SAT. Your ranking isn’t the best either, but the fact that you’re in the top 15% is better than nothing! I would say that you should try to retake the SAT and ACT (if you still can). Also, work on your extracurricular activities (they’re good, but not spectacular). Put a lot of work into your essays, and emphasize your volunteer work, since that seems to be your strong point. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m sorry for being blunt, but there is a 96% chance Columbia will reject you. Your GPA and ACT/SAT scores are not nearly high enough to be considered for Columbia. Another negative is that you don’t have a hook that will make up for that.</p>
<p>Your AP World History score, SAT, GPA, and ACT are low. The fact that your teach english to local hispanics in your community sounds very rewarding. However I think Columbia might be too out of reach. Here are some other colleges to consider: Rutgers, UT Austin, or CUNY Hunters. Maybe you can go to a good public university for your freshman year, get a really high GPA, and then transfer to Columbia</p>
<p>Without any other hooks (recruited athlete, big celebrity or big donor at this point lol, I’m assuming you’re an URM already), I don’t think you have a shot, sorry =/</p>
<p>The reading program you developed is legit, but the fact that you probably made a 1 and 2 on AP exams (which tests extensive writing/reading abilities, as well as subject content) and 600 CR kind of debunks you’re credibility as a qualified english tutor to other people. Your initiative is great though, and I admire that. </p>
<p>And I think for the past few years, Columbia took less than 10% of kids who were not ranked in top 10% of their respective classes, and most of those taken were sport recruits, celebrs/ppl with connections, or big donors.</p>
<p>Definitely give it a shot, but it’s going to be really tough.</p>
<p>I think you have a great shot at NYU, it’s not Columbia, but it’s a great school nonetheless.</p>
<p>not much to add here, but definitely work on your standardized tests and do very well in your senior year gradewise. i always say extracurriculars are the most important thing - but not just being the president of club A,B, and C - i mean doing something extraordinary. your english teaching thing is a pretty eye-catching thing if you ask me. good luck</p>