<p>Hi there, I'm applying to Columbia University with a (relatively) weak predicted IB score of 37 points. I've heard that for the Ivy league, you should be getting minimum 38 hence I was wondering if Columbia will still consider me despite this drawback. I can assure that my other creds (ACTs, Subject tests, ECs...) are much better, good enough for an Ivy League school</p>
<p>You’d have to be a bit more specific on what your other credits and scores were, if they are really high then I am sure they will all override your IB score.</p>
<p>Firstly tell us ur other accolades so we can predict accurately and secondly do you have a 37 with or without bonus points? which subjects do you take? what are your higher levels? what are you getting for each subject?
These are standard things that you should tell us so that we arent flaunting our way through this. P.S i got accepted on my predicted that werent that strong so overall, dont be discourage as IB is seen as extremely intensive but if you give me a proper breakdown, i will be more than happy to explain your chances (not that im in expert, so i’ll give you my opinion) Dont be discouraged is all i can say :)</p>
<p>Well, from the top of my head, here’s the breakdown;</p>
<p>ACT 33
TOEFL 104
Subject SATs: Math I 730, Math II 700, Biology E 670</p>
<p>My predicteds:
HL History 7
HL Math 5
HL ENglish Lit 5
SL Biology 6
SL French 6
SL Economics 6
TOK/EE 2</p>
<p>MY ECs focus mainly on debate/leadership, throughout high school, I’ve participated in many MUN conferences between several other South East Asian international schools and I’ve taken leadership roles in my school such as house leader.</p>
<p>I have also done summer programs for the past 3 years, my first one at Columbia, and the other two was a debate camp at Stanford and the Stanford Humanities Institute program at Stanford too</p>
<p>I like to alleviate people’s anxiety and i cant definitely do so regarding your circumstance. Assuming your essays are well written and your activities section is completed with your best activities, i do not see why you wont be accepted. firstly your ACT is within the 80% acceptance range of (32-36) however a more accurate depiction would be with the breakdown as they do weight math and english more than reading and science. nevertheless a 33 is outstanding. Secondly these schools in general are tending towards IB students because of the discipline the IB instills in the candidates.
I hope your teacher recs are good but from the looks of your ib points, 37total, is very respectable including a 7 in an hl class. They do take into consideration the rigor of each course and math HL is no joke (took it for a yr). Our head of school told us that IV’s accept students who get a 36 because it shows potential, so dont be worried. I hope you have already applied but are you doing French B, english B? These all factor in.
I also do the IB and i am in Y2, i despise it due to the excessive content but it is manageable and great preparation. I made the stupid mistake of taking Bio, Chem and Economics HL which is a ridiculous course load but im surviving :P. Also i find that people who are amazing in history are also good in english, so i do believe you can bring the english up. Furthermore, on a less serious note, come on man! Economics SL 6? Honestly, put in a bit more time because anyone should be able to get a 7 in sl economics and when you send your mocks to them in feb, show them that you are persevering, trying to improve your grade.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate and I hope you get in. Good Luck (y)</p>
<p>@Visas13
I am guessing that you are an international student based on your tone and the way you refer to some of the things in your OP? If you are, then let me say this: Columbia, along with all the other Ivies, is very very hard to get into, period. You being an international, assuming i know, is not going to help that fact. Your grades seem to be up to par (not exemplary as you note, but good enough for Ivies I suppose so) and your scores/tests are pretty good and will get your foot in the door. You have the stats and ECs of ALOT of applicants to Columbia. Many of which have other advantages over you, being from the US or having a legacy, etc. What I am trying to say is that it is impossible to “chance” you for this school as well as each of the other top 15 schools because they are so selective and somewhat unpredictable from year to year. All your stats and things will only do so much. The intangibles (essays, recs, EC’s, person reading your app, etc) also play a role that most people overlook. I would say reach, just like for the majority of applicants to Columbia. You have a chance and your application probably won’t be “thrown out”. And in response to UmeedAli saying that “no reason why you won’t get in,” there are many reasons as your application is similar to most of the several ten thousand applicants to Columbia. Don’t worry I am in the same boat as you (might even be worse off).</p>
<p>@UmeedAli if english and math are held a priority, then that definitely works in my favour; i got a 32 in english and a full 36 in math:) and for economics, I have definitely improved since last year, it was only that last year I had trouble adjusting to my econs teacher’s style of teaching but luckily, we have a new one this year who suits me much better:)
@matrixsurgeon I am indeed an international student:)</p>