Columbia Chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi! I’d like to thank you guys in advance for even looking at this post that probably won’t benefit you. I really appreciate it!
I already posted this under a different section but I think it is more appropriately placed here.

Columbia University is my dream school for numerous reasons that I won’t bore you with. I’m willing to apply for early admission. I’m not that interested in any other Ivies because Columbia is really the only one that has, basically, everything I want in a school.

Here are my facts/stats:

White (and middle eastern but I think that still counts as white) Female
Rising high school senior
Unweighted gpa: 3.993
Weighted gpa: 4.2
SAT on a 1600 scale: 1500
I’m in the top 10% of my class of 300 at a well-respected high school known for it’s academic prowess.

I have a ton of community service hours, I work a part-time job (and a few other side jobs such as selling art commissions, dog sitting, etc.), I am a member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society (in which I hold a leadership position), my school’s book club, my school’s foreign language club, my class council, my class prom committee (in which I held a leadership position), and I am a peer tutor. I have also travelled abroad with my school 3/4 of my years with it, and intend to this coming year.

By the time I graduate I will have taken 7 AP classes, and have straight As thus far.

The only spot on my record/transcript is AP Chemistry. I got a B+ as my final grade in the class (I was .4 points away from an A- but I’m not mad) (except I am). I am definitely more literature-oriented, and science has never been my strength. I took a risk by taking this class with the intent to challenge myself, and I definitely did. However, this grade has me very worried.

Some fun life circumstances: I had a major house fire 1/3 of the way into my junior year. I was displaced for 4 months over the holiday season (not to brag, but I was technically homeless in my school database). I moved from motel to motel every week until my family stayed with a friend for the final month of our home’s reconstruction. I have also battled an eating disorder throughout most of my high school career.

I want to go to Columbia for political science and film studies. My ultimate goal is to end up as a journalist (don’t judge me) or a writer for a television network (don’t judge me again). I would also like to involve comedy in the latter (I know).

The only thing that could potentially make me stand out as an applicant is my extensive art portfolio. The Columbia admissions officer I heard speak stated that they accept art portfolios (or portfolios of work in other areas) as a part of one’s application. I have an extensive portfolio and have numerous awards in the fine arts. One other thing might be my area of study. I doubt many people go to a top academic school for film, but I’m just stereotyping, feel free to enlighten me.

I know there’s so much more that goes into an application and deciding on admission than what I have stated, but this is just a general sense of me. I also know not to get hung up on one school, and I have a list of matches and safeties I would be happy to attend (all of which are still good schools, I’m based in MA so it’s hard to go wrong).

Thank you!

2

I also just recalculated and I’m in the top 5% of my class, which I know doesn’t really matter since the people applying to Columbia probably have similar, if not better, academic stats than me.

3

First of all, your stats are looking good. The GPA is good and so is the class rank. The SAT score is on the lower side so if you have time to retake it, definitely do that. The “homeless” part is great for your college essay. Make sure to include that. Next, your B in Chemistry is not a big deal, especially considering that the course does not relate to your major at all. Your ECs look adequate but nothing that stands out too much. I don’t know much about the art portfolio part of the application so I can’t comment on that, but if its good, then I think you have a shot. Schools like Columbia are a reach for everyone, but I think that if you retake the SAT/take the ACT and if your art portfolio is good, you should be good to go. Good luck!

4

You are a competitive applicant. Your stats and ECs are good. Send in that art portfolio and highlight your interest in art throughout your essays and the rest of your application. Write great essays and you could get accepted to any of these schools

5

The SAT is above Columbia’s average – you’re fine there. GPA is strong too. But you lack hooks, and Columbia’s RD admit rate is about 6%, so in the RD round it would be a reach. I think if it’s your clear #1 and the NPC indicates you can afford it, you could apply ED, and have better chances.

If NYC is among the reasons you love Columbia, you might also consider NYU (if lack of campus is ok) and Fordham. Staying in New York, you might also consider Vassar and Hamilton – both are outstanding in the humanities. May as well check out Colgate too. Bard is another good LAC in the state, also known for humanities (and less selective than V, H or C). Finally, a relatively safe (low match) option in the state would be Syracuse, and they have an outstanding J school. Obviously, check for overall fit and make sure a school is affordable before applying.