<p>I am going into the honors program at DePaul in the fall as an incomming freshman. I will be majoring in political science, with a double major of peace, justice and conflict studies. Concentrating on international relations. However, I want to transfer to Columbia and apply next year, b/c I know how strong the political science department is there, and the core curriculum is something I value. I feel that Columbia would be a great fit for me, and would provide me with more adequate opportunities than DePaul.*</p>
<p>However, I did not perform that spectacularly in hs. (gpa uw, was about a 3.0), i took 18 honors and 1 AP class at one of the top 20 hs in my state. My ACT was a 26, which I undersatand I will have to retake. In hs, I was a member of three different orchestras (violin player), member of the music honors society junior year, and president and creator of my hs STAND (a student anti genocide coalition), and during senior year I was part of the national student leadership team, as a core chapter leader. I have recently gained one of twelve national managing committee positions that puts me in charge of approximately sixteen states. Furthermore I will be attending STAND camp in a week in Baltimore that focuses on advocacy training, networking, and strategizing, along with a congressional lobby event day in DC. Basically my work with STAND is preparing me for a career in politics/law/international relations. *</p>
<p>I understand that my hs gpa was really low, however i was very unhappy where I was, and I had to go through a lot of serious things and medical issues with my parents and unstability within my home that I would rather not get into here. My hs performance did not reflect my ability at all. I am also a minority (african american and white).*</p>
<p>Superficially things aside, my main question, is do I look like I am a*competitive candidate? In particular with my leadership abilities? And what advice would you give in terms of me being a successful applicant?</p>