<p>I'm a white female, no legacy, I'm actually the first in my family to ever go to a four year college or attend a private secondary school. I'm applying as an English major.
GPA fluctuates around the 3.8 range per year.
I'm ranked 63/424 in a highly competitive parochial school on Long Island.
I've taken 2 APs
Physics - 3
US History - 4
Planning on taking English and Biology.
My SAT scores are:
Verbal - 690
Math - 630
Writing - 680, 12 on essay
My SAT II scores are:
Lit - 680
US History - 650
Also, I have a very strong recommendation from a business lawyer who I've worked for for 2 years as an informal paralegal. My other recommendations are equally strong, having read 2/3 of them.</p>
<p>Awards: NSHSS, NHS Nominee (denied because of ECs, live an hour from school without transportation), Saint John's University Award for Women in Science, Principal's List, Honor Roll A & B</p>
<p>Volunteer Tutor at a local public school
I also hold two jobs, one as an assistant to a lawyer and the other as a secretary/bookkeeper at a gymnastics academy.
My essay is also unique to put it simply, and so far has received good reactions from anyone who's read it.</p>
<p>Just wondering if I have a shot, I know my grades aren't at the higher end of the spectrum. I'm also applying to NYU as a lesser reach, but the safeties I have right now I'm not too fond of, so if I have no chance at Columbia I really need to go find other safeties.</p>
<p>Finding other safeties is exactly what you need to be doing. Your SAT scores are well below columbia's midrange, and your SAT II scores are not impressive. A 3 in physics? I hope that you recieved a B in that course, for your sake, because a 3 on the AP Test and an A in the course says something about the difficulty of your school's curriculum. A ranking of 63rd is not impressive either, no matter how compeditive. Apply to NYU, and good luck with all of your applications!</p>
<p>I'm not quite as pessimistic as the others. I think you have a shot -- first generation college -- decent class rank in competitive high school -- SATs acceptable -- Columbia doesn't ask to see AP scores on their application. Write a compelling essay -- you never know. Good luck.</p>
<p>PS. Have some safeties you love cause it's more likely you will be going to one of them.</p>
<p>ColumbiaMom is right. Research some safeties or matches: Sarah Lawrence? Bard? Conn College? Vassar?--all within weekend striking distance of NYC and good in English. Or try a different city--Boston University?</p>
<p>I'm applying to NYU, which is my primary goal, however, Columbia has the stronger lib arts program as far as I can tell so it'd be nice to get in. All of my other colleges are safeties, Hofstra, St. John's, and Fordham which I know I'll get into. So, I'm gonna get to loving Hofstra or Fordham if all else fails, thanks for the advice though. And yes, I did get a B in my Physics course.</p>
<p>"My essay is also unique to put it simply, and so far has received good reactions from anyone who's read it."</p>
<p>The odds of this being true are pretty minimal. Everyone thinks of his/her essay as unique. Have you read thousands of college essays?</p>
<p>Your chances are obviously quite low. Your scores and grades are well below what Columbia is looking for. Your ECs are nothing special. There's no hook here. And, Long Island is a competitive applicant pool.</p>