<p>Hi!</p>
<p>I'm applying to Columbia University ED. Can somebody chance me? I just want to receive the decision with the right attitude, because at the moment I oscillate dramatically in my opinion of what the decision may be! Thank you! </p>
<p>Note: Before you read, please note that I am NOT trying to "brag". I am just trying to be as honest as possible.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.75 (considered high at my school, which is a very academically rigorous prep school. In or near the top 10%). I hope the AOs will look at it in context. :/</p>
<p>SAT: 2310</p>
<p>SAT Subject tests: 790, 760, 720</p>
<p>National Merit Semi-Finalist.</p>
<p>--Editor-in-Chief of School Newspaper
-- Lab Assistant at UCSF, where I co-authored a research paper on bone microtechnology.
--Cell Culture Technician at UC Berkeley for 2 years. I am sending a recommendation from my mentor. Others who read it said that his recommendation was "perfect" (I myself did not read it).
--Co-founder and president of French Club for 2 years
--Softball Team Captain
--I coach debaters at my school and judge local debate tournaments. I was a debater myself in previous years (and won 5 local-- rather unimpressive to be honest (but they don't know that)--trophies, but quit because of personal reasons)
--Ski Team member/racer. Won medals.
--Tutor for children with learning disabilities. I built a computer game that I'm currently testing on my tutees that attempts to induce shifts in the neurological makeup of students with dyslexia. I modeled it after FastForWord.</p>
<p>My college counselor recommendation, I think, is great. Same with my teacher recommendations, but I specifically chose teachers in classes that I had initially struggled and then worked my ass off, eventually excelling. I hope the fact that I wasn't "perfect" and excelling from the get-go doesn't count against me.</p>
<p>Common App Essay: Excellent if not amazing-- at least, as I've been told. Answers the question "where do you feel most comfortable". I talked about my experience in the UCB lab. Gets across my interest in science, as do my writing supplements, which also talk about my interest in science (and are also, apparently, excellent). </p>
<p>My interview, I think, was good, potentially great, but the dude was hard to read. </p>
<p>Hook: Not really anything. I am 100% Romanian and speak 5 languages fluently. Does that count? </p>
<p>Thank you all, and good luck to everyone in the admissions process!</p>