https://justpaste.it/76e6m
My resume minus some personal information is attached here.
Test scores:
SAT: 1550
Math: 790
R/W: 760
Essay: 21/24
ACT:
34, but probly won’t submit this one
Subject Tests:
Math 2: 800
Chem: 700
U.S. History: 700
I may or may not be national merit, very much on the borderline for texas
Will be National AP Scholar
I am applying to the general college, no longer interested in engineering lol. Hoping for poly sci or econ major, or something similar
Missing GPA. Good SAT scores. I don’t think the Chem and History SAT subject test score will matter that much.
You have a lot of activities but those don’t mean anything unless those are things you are passionate about. Doing as many things as possible isn’t going to help you as much as being really good at one thing. That said, you clearly have a devotion to music which is helpful.
Make your passion clear. Do one thing and be really good at it.
Don’t submit any AP scores are below a 5, because they won’t help you.
Our school has a 7 point GPA scale, on the 4 point I would just have a 4.0 but I’m not sure how to calculate the exact weighted to include AP classes. My school doesn’t give weight to AP classes though, so despite getting all A’s my GPA is around a 6.85 not sure of exact decimals. Class rank is 10/954, but that doesn’t include junior year bc I don’t have that rank yet- takes a long time for school to calculate because of so many people
Bumping this thread because I truly want to know if there’s anything I can do to make myself a stronger candidate or if I’m strong enough and should focus on perfecting the essays or something. I’m worried that since I didn’t participate in something at the national level such as olympiads I will be overlooked. I couldn’t even try out for the National band because one of the requirements is to make all-state which is horrible because Texas has one of the most advanced music programs and has more music students so many of us Texans are better than All-Staters in other states without having that title but nobody realizes that. I say that not because I’m a sore loser but because I was actually placed ahead of a two-time all stater from Florida at the Honors Symphony I performed in, so I believe it’s unfair for her to have the chance to be in the National band over me
Sorry for the rant, just really want to get in and appreciate any help!!!
I don’t know this for sure, but I feel that it is all very dependent on the essay and what makes you stand out. Academics and extracurriculars are very important, but I was average in both of those areas (average for Columbia) and I got in. I have not been involved in any type of research or national competition or anything too phenomenal, but I feel that my essays really showed who I am and I think that that is the most important thing. Just for reference, I have a 34 on the ACT and I had two 3’s and one 4 on the 3 AP tests I took with a 4.35/4 weighted GPA. Feel free to reply on here and we can talk more about it on a different platform if you’d like!
A few comments:
–Columbia with an acceptance rate of under 7% is a reach for any unhooked applicant.
–Your academics are solid and your application will get due consideration.
–A lot will depend on things like essay, LOR, ECs etc.
–Focus on things you have done, not things you haven’t done (see your post #4). And guess what, life isn’t always “fair” so move on.
–Be sure to find match and safety schools that appear affordable and that you would be excited to attend. IMO that part of the process is too often overlooked.
