Chances.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I already posted this in the Yale section.
I plan on applying early to Yale, but I also plan on applying to Columbia.</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.84</p>

<p>SATs:
2230:
780 Math
730 Writing
720 Verbal</p>

<p>ACTs: 34
Writing Section: 35</p>

<p>APs Taken/Will Take:
AP World History: 5
AP European History: 5
AP US History: 5
AP Macro Economics
AP US Government
AP Psychology: 4
AP Physics B: 4
AP Chemistry
AP Biology
AP 2D Art: 4
AP English Language: 5
AP English Literature
AP Calculus BC
AP Spanish
(the ones without scores are the ones I'm taking this year)</p>

<p>ECs:
Nursing Home Internship
Dental Office Internship
Administrative Emergency Room Internship
Created/Maintained own website/forum, for my own original online comics (<a href="http://www.PolkOut.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.PolkOut.com&lt;/a&gt;)
Wrote a play
Debate Team - 2 Years
Student Congress - 2 Years
Model Congress - 1 Year
Film Club - 3 Years (I write and direct original movies)
Astronomy Club - 2 Years
School Newspaper - 3 Years (Editor)
Mathelites - 1 Year</p>

<p>I think thats all my clubs, I'm not sure. I'm planning on talking to some of the teachers who run the clubs and see if they'd let me BS some sort of position.</p>

<p>Also: I'm a member of the National Honors Society and the Spanish Honors Society.</p>

<p>Also #2: My original choice for early decision was Columbia University, but after getting the application from Yale, and considering that its a higher-rated school...well, I'd like to know what my chances for Columbia are as well. Better? Worse? etc.?</p>

<p>Also #3: I'm an immigrant from the USSR. My family came to the United States seeking...I guess religious refuge. The USSR was a disgustingly anti-semitic nation (Jim Crow-like). We lived on welfare for a while and my parents divorced but now we're fine and are pretty well off, well my dad remarried but my mom hasn't. Can that help me in any way? What about the fact that I help out in the Russian community, as in, my grandparents and their friends; translating, helping them buy groceries, get by, etc.?</p>

<p>Also #4: It should be noted that I also participate in my school's independant, advanced, research program. Which means I'll probably be going to Intel (but most likely won't win).</p>

2

<p>You have as great a shot as almost anybody, but I assume you already know that. The Yale question is somewhat obvious, considering you already know that it is more selective. </p>

<p>a note about the USSR thing: although this could provide for a more interesting essay, I doubt those things you do will "help you". I never thought that helping my parents with the groceries would make it easier to get into Yale, but I sure wont mention it next time my mom asks me to do the dishes.</p>

<p>p.s. just as a random mention my family is also Russian & Jewish and immigrated to get the hell out of there (although the Jim Crow comparison is a bit exaggerated, on a relative scale)... privet! =)</p>

3

<p>Woah, woah, woah.</p>

<p>I didn't just help them with their groceries, it was them and their twenty-odd friends living in some Russian slum in the middle of Queens. And it wasn't just groceries. It was medicine, necessary repairs, doctors appointments, etc. </p>

<p>Moreover, the Jim Crow comparison is pretty valid. Considering there were quotas for the maximum number of Jews allowed to reside in a city or attend a university. Jews were paid less. Hell, they weren't even considered Russian. My birth certificate labels my nationality as "Jew". What the hell is that?! I was born in friggin' Leningrad, not Judea. Jewish influence in politics was also limited as well as involvement in social functions. Hell, there were anti-semitic rallies in subway stations on a weekly basis.</p>

<p>So I think "Jim Crow" is a pretty valid comparison.</p>

4

<p>The Jews are one of the most powerful minority groups on earth. Harvard is made up of something like 30% Jews. They are well educated and often rest among the highest levels of the corporate ladder (Greenspan). Israel is also one of only two first world countries in the Middle East, the other being UAE. </p>

<p>I understand that many Jews fled from persecution, but don't complain about Jews not getting enough opportunities in America.</p>

5

<p>Anyone with reading comprehension skills (no offense Ildjing, but you didn't answer the question, however I think your a decent fellow--my comment being aimed at dooit) want to give me an opinion?</p>

6

<p>I think the Russian thing is very cool/interesting.
Who cares if a lot of jews go to the ivy leagues - i think you still bring diversity.</p>

<p>Just my two cents.
I'm still in HS though (applying to Columbia this year)...</p>

<p>What do you want to do at Columbia? In life? You have a variety of EC's - which one(s) are you most passionate about? Showing a passion in something is important to the ivies.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

7

<p>Well I want to go into medicine, but I want to keep writing/drawing and so forth--I just don't think the latter would make for a very good career.</p>

8

<p>lots of APs!</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
I didn't just help them with their groceries, it was them and their twenty-odd friends living in some Russian slum in the middle of Queens. And it wasn't just groceries. It was medicine, necessary repairs, doctors appointments, etc.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What are you going to tell me that Queens is in "USSR"? Maybe you should stop btching about everything and get on with your life. Too many people on this board have overcame more difficulties than you to get into college and until now, the only unsuccessful candidates are the ones who whine every second chance they get.</p>

<p>By the way, it's != not =!. Maybe you should attempt to learn the proper syntax before trying to be clever</p>

10

<p>Good chances, but you cannot "plan on". You can "plan to".</p>

11

<p>What is wrong with you? It's a Russian slum in the middle of Queens. That doesn't mean it's Queens, USSR. Just like there are Hispanic and black parts of the city--hell, we don't refer to Greenwich Village as "Greenwich Village, Gayland".</p>

<p>So I have no idea what the hell you're talking about or why you're even arguing me. So quit being petty and just bugger off.</p>

<p>And in reference to =! vs. !=, the way I have PERSONALLY seen it used is 90% of the time is "=!". Maybe I'm wrong, but then again, I DON'T CARE. Syntax is no reflection on my character.</p>

<p>And moreover, whether it's plan on or plan to, I don't care. Again, let's not be anal retentive here and start picking apart common idioms. People say I "plan on doing..." all the time in a casual setting, so it's accepted. People understand me, you understand me, so there should be no point to argue.</p>

12

<p>You are really well qualified but I have learned along with many other people that great SATs and millions of clubs don't necessarily ensure acceptance. I would keep the confidence down to a minumum, not to be offensive or anything. But ofcourse you have a really good chance.</p>

13

<p>O and also, it looks like you listed a bunch of clubs that you were in for a few years each. The committments to community service are good, but you should try to develop a defined interest so admissions doesn't just see a list, they easily can find your obvious passions and interests. That would probably help you out, obviously you are fine academically.</p>