<p>Asian female
Rising senior
Georgia
Top schools in the state [top 500 in national by US weekly]</p>
<p>GPA:3.79 uw
Rank: 10%
SAT: 800M 780W 670V [maybe I'll take them again in Oct]
SAT II: US Hist (760), Math IIC (800), Spanish (690), Korean (800)
I'm planning to take Chem, World Hist, and Lit on Nov, Dec</p>
<p>artclub (9-12 4 years officer) orchestra (9-12 4yrs officer) BETA (11-12) FBLA (11-12) Tri-M (11-12)
All-State orchestra - viola 9-10
first-chair in my school's chamber orchestra</p>
<p>I also have portfolio of my art works (about15-20 slides)
I'm planning to enter the Scholastics Portfolio competition this year.
[I think that this could be the main thing for my talent/ability]</p>
<p>went on 2 mexico mission trips (leader of both of them)
church's praise team [piano]
150+ hrs.at library</p>
<p>CEISMC program during summer [nanotechnology @ Georgia Tech]
I don't know if this helps but I worked at local cafe for 4 months now </p>
<p>After my recent visit to Columbia, I completely fell in love with that place and Columbia became my 1st college on the list. It's really a typical southern small town where I'm living right now and I want to go to the city and just challenge myselfand work with the city environment. I actually lived in NJ for a couple of years but I had to come down here so I really miss NY/NJ. I really do have a passion for this college and I have dreams after I graduate from this college. I hope they can see that through my essay.
Also, for my rec, I know a Georgia Tech professor who's really close to me and my family. He said he'd happy to write me a rec for my college.
My mom also has a friend whose son graduated from Columbia and now goes to Drew to study to be a minister. Would that help? We are very close, he's like a brother to me.</p>
<p>Anyway, can you tell me what I need to work on or any tips?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If the Georgia Tech professor who knows you is the one associated with the CEISMC program in nanotechnology, then a recommendation from him would be perfect.</p></li>
<li><p>Were you born in the U.S.? If not, how old were you when you moved here? Do your parents speak Korean at home? (With these questions, I'm looking for a way to explain your 670V. Your Math and Writing scores are, of course, great.)</p></li>
<li><p>Your mom's friend's son won't help your application; however, he might provide you with a few first-hand insights into the Columbia application process.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm unable to comment on your attempt to use SAT IIs to make up for your GPA. Anybody out there want to voice an opinion?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>
[quote]
4. I'm unable to comment on your attempt to use SAT IIs to make up for your GPA. Anybody out there want to voice an opinion?
[/quote]
sure - it worked for me!</p>
<p>Of course, I had 800M/750V, 800 Phys, 800 Chem, 750 USHist, 730 Bio, 800 Math2C, a bunch of classes taken at Harvard Extension, BostonU, etc and a long list of extracurricular accomplishments... and I did go to work for a gap year before getting in... but I did get in with a 3.3 unweighted (3.9 weighted). It's possible but I don't recommend it, you have to make the case that you're worth the risk that your low GPA represents.</p>
<p>edit: also, a 3.79 UW isn't bad at all. it's not standout quality but it won't raise eyebrows nearly as high as I did. The differentiators are in the subjective stuff.</p>
<p>No, I understand. It was more directed towards the OP and any naysayers in support of your edit. But I think for all intents, it's close enough to a 3.8 to just say 3.8</p>