Hi, I was just curious as to what do you think my chances of getting into Columbia University are. I am currently a junior and will take the SAT soon. Please be honest. I wont get offended, I promise
Academic:
PSAT 10: 1220 ( I know this is REALLY low but I’m working hard to improve it)
GPA 4.0
All IB classes
Extracurriculars:
Piano lessons (9 years)
Organ lessons (4 years)
Church Job (music director at a church)
TedxYouth@Salem board-social media director
Salem Youth Leadership
DECA
AGO Salem Chapter Board Member
NHS (will do senior year)
I perform both piano and organ around various churches in my city
Awards:
2 time Iva Turner award recipient (piano scholarship in my city)
State Baroque Festival
National Spanish Exam-Silver medal
African American Academic Award (awarded by school district)
Acceptance to national Organ camp in Alabama
AGO Seattle Chapter Scholarship
Story: My previous piano teacher who belonged to the Music Association passed away and my current teacher does not belong to it therefore I am unable to compete in piano and organ competitions
Bottom line is: Ivy leagues are reaches to most people, so is Columbia.
Well, PSAT is far less important than other stats like SAT/ACT and GPA ,and you don’t have the test score yet. Is that GPA a weighted or unweighted? I see your long committment to music, so that is a plus sign of significant extracurricular.
I am sorry that your teacher passed away, but I am confused by your story; is this story meant to be a topic of your common app essay? Or is it just something you want the admins to know? Also, how does having a different teacher hinder you from entering organ competitions?
Sorry, now looking back on my “story” it does seem confusing. I guess what I was trying to say is that a majority of piano and organ competitions in my area require for the teacher to be a part of the Music Association and because my teachers are professors at the local university, they are not a part of this association. The reason why I included the story is because I wanted to explain why I do not have as many awards/achievements in music as I could have. Sorry for the confusion.
A teacher has t o be in association so that the students can compete? That is such a ridiculous idea. I remember similar instances where I couldn’t participate in certain competitions because none of the teacher I talked to were not part of certain organizations(not that they showed interest anyway).
@GloryLyatuu as noted above, your GPA is fine for Columbia. What you need to improve is your standardized test scores. At Columbia, the 25th percentile and 75th percentile SAT scores for admitted students (on a 1600 scale) was 1510 and 1580 respectively. To have a reasonable chance you should aim for something in that range.
@tdy123 Hi, thank you for your response! I’ve been working hard to raise my PSAT score in preparation for the National Merit Scholarship but it seems like I’m stuck in the same threshold. I’m also thinking that I try the ACT as well but do you have any advice as to how I can get a 1500+ score?
@GloryLyatuu Trying the ACT is a good idea, many students who have been less than thrilled with their scores on the SAT have been much more pleased with their ACT results. Should you be gender qualified, the SAT 25/75 range of 1280/1470 at Barnard makes it worth considering.
@GloryLyatuu Many people rule Barnard out for that reason, but I think that is a mistake.
Barnard is located right across the street (Broadway) from the main Columbia campus and can be as co-ed as you want.
The partnership between Barnard College and Columbia University is unique in American higher education.
Both institutions benefit from this historic relationship which allows each to leverage the assets and experience of the other—in classrooms, on the athletic fields, in extracurricular activities and clubs, and through many shared resources.
Here’s how:
Students at each institution can take courses at the other, enjoy access to twenty-two libraries, and compete together in the Columbia-Barnard Athletic Consortium.
At the same time, Barnard is legally and financially independent; has a separate administration, faculty, and admissions office; sets its own policies; and maintains its own endowment and fundraising.
Barnard provides the undergraduate programs in architecture, dance, education, theater, and urban studies for the whole university, while programs in computer science, statistics, and engineering are centered at Columbia.
All student clubs across both campuses are open to all Barnard and Columbia students. Barnard women often hold leadership positions in everything from the Columbia Daily Spectator to any number of student-led productions.
And, of course, Barnard and Columbia students come together anytime and anywhere to share food and friendship, rigorous debate, relaxing conversation, and all that comes with college life.
@tdy123 That’s interesting to think about. I did not know about the fact that they were in such close proximity. However, I am thinking of majouring in a science so could I do my majour at Columbia?
