Class Rank/Percentiles

<p>Hey, question... My GPA is a 3.89 weighted and I'm in the top 15% of the class. My SAT scores are high, essay is good, and extracuriculars are pretty unique. Thoughts in relation to Columbia?</p>

<p>I don't know that much about admissions, but you probably have to be more specific than that. What is your GPA unweighted? What are your SAT scores? Be more detailed about your extracurricular activities. What is your course load like? Do you have any awards or recommendations or what? Have you had your essay thoroughly check by many people? Just answer some of these (preferably the first ones). It sounds like you are just posting this so that people can just say yes and boost your confidence. Oviously if you say all that is above(except for maybe the GPA), you could go to any college. I'm not trying to bring you down, just be more specific so that everyone else can tell you an honest answer.</p>

<p>I don't know my GPA unweighted, actually. SAT scores, 740V700M710W and then a 730 on both SATII's that I took.</p>

<p>Your SATs are solid and within Columbia's range, but by no means "high." It is hard to judge the grades without more about your HS, your schedule strength, etc. Everyone thinks their ECs are unique and their essays are great, so it is hard to make much from that.</p>

<p>Haha okay, given, that's true. But mine really are kind of unique. I'm a research assistant in a lab that is cloning mutants of a protein called the Ryanodine Receptor. Before that I had another internship in a lab at Northeastern University. I'm Editor in Chief of the school paper, and in addition to a couple of other things that aren't exactly run of the mill, I think that I'm not too too bad in that category. In terms of schedule strength, I'm in all AP's and have always taken the most challenging courses all throughout highschool. And finally, I'm not saying my essay is good, everyone else has. So if that helps at all, maybe some more feedback?</p>

<p>I'm not trying to put you down, but none of this is "unique." These are good ECs, but many applicants have good ECs. Lots of people do research. Even more are newspaper/yearbook editors.</p>

<p>With your grades and scores, you meet Columbia's standards. As you know, many qualified people get turned away. Nothing we've heard makes you'll stand out in any particular way, however. You have a decent shot and could get in. But since the process is so competitive, you should realize that nothing is a guarantee.</p>