Columbia Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Sorry if this is a long post!</p>

<p>I am a junior right now, and I'm looking forward to the application process (sort of). So, I'd like to give you a short bio and you guys can see if my goal is realistic. Also, I am Caucasian, so no URM hopes.</p>

<p>Academics:
Class Rank: 8/~300
Unweighted GPA: 4.0 (all A's so far!)
Weighted GPA: 4.9 (5 for honors and first semester of AP, 6 for second AP semester)
AP Courses:
Sophomore Year- World History: 5
Junior Year- US History: 4
Government/Politics: 5
Calculus AB: 5
Senior Year- Taking:
Statistics
Environmental Science
Calculus BC
European History</p>

<p>SAT (Most nervous about): 2040, took only once, no studying, will take again
670 CR / 680 W / 690 M
Subject Tests:
US History- 720
Math II- 740</p>

<p>ACT: 30</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (Sorry if some aren't really good, just writing down all I can think of):</p>

<p>Recipient of the Silver Congressional Youth Award
North Carolina Governor's School
Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics at Rutgers U
Varsity Cross Country, Swimming, and Lacrosse
Treasurer of Science Olympiad 2011
Principal Tubist in the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra for 7-8 years
Principal Tubist in the Charlotte Civic Orchestra for 2 years
Member of the Charlotte Tuba-Euphonium Society
Will be a part of the first (or one of the first) American orchestra(s) performing in Cuba in December
Member of NHS
Appointed to the school's Principal's Advisory Council
Member of MENSA (does this even matter?)
Junior Marshal
Trying to start a Young Democrats club
Going to join my town's local youth council committee (hopefully that app gets accepted!)</p>

<p>Extra personal twist:
I will request an interview from Columbia (if they do them much), just because I am a very persuasive person. I may not have the best test scores in the world, and I may not be the smartest kid around, but I have a passion to learn. I don't care if my SAT is lower than another applicant, I am more driven than him or her. I just feel this motivation to make a difference in the world. I know my strong points: I can speak publicly, I am convincing, and I am amicable. I may not be the smartest, but I am certainly the most driven to make a difference, and it doesn't matter where I go to college really. Anywhere I go, I WILL eventually make a difference, because that is what I feel like I am here to do. So... I know a few things and my essays and interviews hopefully will be phenomenal (crossing my fingers!!!). All in all, Columbia is my top choice, because I love the city and I love the university.
Also, I'm a legacy. My dad got two master's degrees and is currently working on his Ph. D there. My step mother also got a master's degree there.</p>

<p>Overall, I'm mostly nervous about my test scores, but I'm taking the SAT again in October so... Hopefully I get it good enough! I plan to apply ED.</p>

<p>So, what do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>I think both of you above have great shots at being accepted! Great test scores and EC’s! Hopefully I see you there? (:</p>

<p>I’m looking forward to the application process (sort of) this fall! Also, I am Caucasian, so no URM hopes.</p>

<p>Academics:
Class Rank: 8/~300
Unweighted GPA: 4.0 (all A’s so far!)
Weighted GPA: 4.9 (5 for honors and first semester of AP, 6 for second AP semester)
AP Courses:
Sophomore Year- World History: 5
Junior Year- US History: 4
Government/Politics: 5
Calculus AB: 5
Senior Year- Taking:
Statistics
Environmental Science
Calculus BC
European History</p>

<p>Testing history: (it is pretty bad)
SAT (Most nervous about): 2040, took only once, no studying, will take again
670 CR / 680 W / 690 M
Subject Tests:
US History- 720
Math II- 740</p>

<p>ACT: 30 (not even gonna take again, focusing on SAT)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars and awards: (Sorry if some aren’t really good, just writing down all I can think of):</p>

<p>Recipient of the Silver Congressional Youth Award
North Carolina Governor’s School
Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics at Rutgers U
Varsity Cross Country, Swimming, and Lacrosse
Treasurer of Science Olympiad 2011
Principal Tubist in the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra for 7-8 years
Principal Tubist in the Charlotte Civic Orchestra for 2 years
Member of the Charlotte Tuba-Euphonium Society
Will be a part of the first (or one of the first) American orchestra(s) performing in Cuba in December
Member of NHS
Appointed to the school’s Principal’s Advisory Council
Member of MENSA (does this even matter?)
Junior Marshal
Trying to start a Young Democrats club
Going to join my town’s local youth council committee (hopefully that app gets accepted!)
Started a personal group with my mom and some of her church friends and we routinely sing and play tuba at retirement homes
400+ community service hours</p>

<p>Also, I’m a legacy. My dad got two master’s degrees and is currently working on his Ph. D there. My step mother also got a master’s degree there.</p>

<p>Overall, I’m mostly nervous about my test scores, but I’m taking the SAT again in October so… Hopefully I get it good enough! I plan to apply ED.</p>

<p>So, what do you guys think?</p>

3

<p>You have decent stats, but I do NOT recommend even giving off the vibe that you’re somehow “more driven” than all of the other applicants. You have no way of knowing this, and besides, Columbia is not at all impressed by arrogance – which, if you try to put yourself above everyone else, you WILL come off as.</p>

4

<p>just so you know, the interview barely counts for anything and is often pretty irrelevant with respect to the final outcome. additionally, you can’t request them–you either get one or you don’t, typically depending on whether or not they have alums in your area. be wary of a) coming off as arrogant and b) gushing too much about NYC in your “why Columbia” essay–the university wants students that are motivated by their academic passions, not tourists. finally, get your SAT to around a 2250. beyond that point scores don’t really matter that much, but it’s difficult to even be considered if your score is too far below that mark.</p>