Columbia chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I moved around a lot so I listed my EC's under every country I have lived in. Keep in mind that I am still a Pakistani citizen.</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2250 (750 each)
SAT II: 800 Physics, 800 Math II
ATAR: 98.5
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Doesn't rank but top 5%
Senior Year Course Load: Eng lang, Math studies, Math specialist, physics, research project
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): IDK, school scholarship?</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Pakistan (2010) - Approx. 1 year
Cricket (Captain)
Soccer (Captain)
Badminton
Debating team (Secretary)
Prefect</p>

<p>Wales (2010-2011) - Approx. 1 year
Soccer
Sports ambassador
Badminton</p>

<p>England (2011-2012) - Approx. 6 months
English ambassador (Two out of a year of 200 students)
Badminton</p>

<p>Australia (2012-Current) -Approx. 1.5 years
Student Voice leader (Two out of 100)
Green Team (President)
Enviroweek school ambassador (Work with Cool Australia because of this)
Finance Club (President and Founder)</p>

<p>Job/Work Experience:</p>

<p>Interned at biggest Cancer hospital in Pakistan
Work experience in Wales</p>

<p>Volunteer/Community service:</p>

<p>Vinnies (retail) ~120 hours
Salvation Army ~180 hours
Volunteer at multiple community events
Fundraising ~$1000 in the past year (Not much, I know)
Multiple fund raising marathons
Tutoring for free</p>

<p>Amazing recommendations from all.</p>

<p>Because I have moved around a lot in high school, will I get a bit of leeway for the fact that I don't have a lot of leadership positions since we never settled down a lot till Australia where I accomplished a lot? Or am I screwed because of it? </p>

<p>Cheers guys and will chance back to the best of my ability.</p>

2

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>Your resume (Idk what else I can call it) looks excellent. Yes, you might have a slight disadvantage of moving around a lot so you never really settled in and worked in a place for a long time (for internships). Colleges like to see 2-3 years at the same place.
Your resume also looks (in terms of grades) similar to many many applicants. You have a disadvantage which is also your advantage. Moving around a lot. There might be something else that I don’t see on this post, but you have to get something special. Use moving around a lot as your advantage. Meaning write a great essay. And have something that stands out. One thing though, I cannot tell your passion. You did a lot of things over high school years, but you need to show the admissions office that you are focused on one area. I see hospital work, but I also see various sports work, and there is no hospital work related community service. Your SAT score is same in all subjects. You need to be spectacular at one particular thing.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the reply! Well, that is certainly good to hear. For something I am exceptional in, it has to math. I managed to complete my GCSE Mathematics a year early with an A* in Wales and was to some extent teaching myself A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics in England. </p>

<p>But for passion, I was doing whatever I could hence the varied ECs. Every school has different clubs, teams etc. and not of things overlapped. E.g. in Pakistan I played a lot of cricket and wanted to continue in Wales but could not do so. However, I have carried on in Australia now. I took any opportunity I could to list something in my resume.</p>

<p>I suppose I could say my passion is helping out people (or something better worded) because all of my work in the cancer hospital and my work experience in a GP clinic. </p>

<p>Another question as well, what would count as hospital work related community service?</p>

<p>Cheers.</p>

4

<p>Bumpy bump.</p>

5

<p>Your ATAR score is a little low for Columbia, and Ivy League colleges in general (ATAR of >99 would be more in the range) and your SAT score is borderline low for Ivy League unis as well, most accepted applicants have scores higher than 2250 if you check the statistics. This problem is especially eminent as you don’t really have any outstanding parts to your application (as previously stated) and no major awards/EC. Your school scholarship could have little to no influence depending on the competitiveness of the school. </p>

6

<p>On the other hand, your community service is pretty good for students applying from Australia and your status as an Under Represented Minority is an advantage for you, especially since Ivy League schools generally practise affirmative action. Applying for financial aid as an international student also dramatically decreases your chances (based on your resume, I wouldn’t do that, as they are usually taken by math/chem olympians). Just write outstanding essays and be honest regarding your goals and display an earnest interest in attending the school. Good Luck :)</p>

7

<p>@dashyfreak‌ did you end up getting accepted? </p>