Columbia Class of 2021 ED Results

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

Only three days before we get our admissions decisions so here’s a thread for stats once you find out

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1:
Teacher Rec #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments:

2

Here we go y’all!!!

Decision: Accepted - CC

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1540 (790 verbal, 750 math)
ACT (breakdown): n/a
SAT II: 780 French, 770 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.70 (yikes!! I had all As and A+s in the humanities but I also had THREE B-MINUSES in calc and bio junior/senior year as well as A LITERAL C in junior year bio…a definite downward trend)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 30%
AP (place score in parenthesis): I think five 5s and a 4 in calc
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: super super rigorous…all college level classes (my school doesn’t have APs)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none except publication in major outlets

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): really really good! I have starred in plays throughout high school, am president of the theatre society and co-president of the student performing arts program, section editor for school newspaper, and I have had my writing (creative writing, poetry, and journalism) published in some major publications…for privacy’s sake will not disclose them, but they’re well known, bona fide magazines and journals. Anyway, I think it’s evident in my application that I really write because I love it – I’ve never really done anything for the sake of college.
Job/Work Experience: only high school intern at a media company/magazine publishing house in Boston this past summer!! It was so fun!!
Volunteer/Community service: not really
Summer Activities: publishing/media internship last summer, and I got a grant from school to do a summer sociology research project about a topic I’m really interested in the summer before
Essays (rating 1-10, details): My Common App was super unique (I wrote about going to parties and concerts in Boston with my friends and how I see the train as a portal to the arts and culture) and my Columbia supplements were definitely passionate and read well. I have always wanted to go to Columbia and I spent days and days refining my diction in every one of those supplements!

Teacher Rec #1: English – probably 10/10, she is the most amazing writer I have ever met and told me I was one of the finest writers she has ever taught
Teacher Rec #2: French/history – probably 8/10, he’s a school favorite teacher who has taught me every year and knows me very well (although he writes a lot of recs so it may not have been as perfectly individualized)
Counselor Rec: probably good! She has a lot of students though
Additional Rec: n/a
Interview: Maybe like 8/10? It went pretty well…not as well as my glowing EA interviews though. He was definitely hard to read but seemed interested in me and he called me a “whole different animal” from the kids he usually interviews from my school.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope
Intended Major: Poli Sci or Philosophy
State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: private boarding in MA
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: high – didn’t apply for financial aid!
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none at all!

Reflection:

Strengths: scores, ECs, essays
Weaknesses: grades grades GRADES!
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I HAVE NO IDEA! I am ECSTATIC! I guess they saw that I was unique and liked my writing!
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: withdrawing my apps from UMass and Northeastern right now!

General Comments: I can’t believe I’m actually writing this!!! I’ve been reading these threads for months. And just a friendly reminder that I am an Asian girl with a C and 3 B-minuses in the last year! I HONESTLY NEVER EXPECTED THIS!! It just goes to show that YOU REALLY NEVER KNOW!!! I mean, I read Sartre for fun, I act in avant-garde theatre, I’m obsessed with political theory – these are evidently things the admissions committee noticed and appreciated! So, young ones – if you’re passionate enough, interesting enough, and dedicated enough to the things you’re interested in and to the school, you might find yourself at COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK!! #ROAR2021!!!

3

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted - SEAS[/color][/size]**

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 760 reading 800math 690writing
ACT (breakdown):n/a
SAT II: 800math 780physics 720 reading
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.89
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): cs4 eng lang5 chem5 stats5
IB (place score in parenthesis):n/a
Senior Year Course Load: too lazy to fill this out sorry
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):n/a underachiever in this aspect.
Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):nothing outstanding. student council etc etc.
Job/Work Experience: three internships that aren’t significant in anyway.
Volunteer/Community service: nothing substantial.
Summer Activities: worked with a research team for 3 years now.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): I’d say 3 if I didn’t get in, but I did, so I guess all of them except the why columbia one are 4.5. The why essay is probably a 7.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 8/9 My math teacher, who taught me pre-algebra, stats, and intro to complexity, wrote this for me. She was also my junior internship mentor: she basically found a internship opportunity for me, and she told me that my off-campus mentor, the employer I worked for, said a lot nice things about me. I now have her as my senior project mentor. So I bet she said nice things about me.
Teacher Rec #2: 8/9 My ap chem teacher is a really nice lady, but I am not very close to her.
Counselor Rec: 8/9 not very close to her either, but she is also a great person, super sweet and always very supportive.
Additional Rec: international student program director(lol not sure about his job title) He knows me pretty well, in a positive way.
Interview: I think it went well.
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:no
Intended Major: CS
State (if domestic applicant): SC --haha palindromes spotted
Country (if international applicant):China, but I go to high school in the states.
School Type: private all-girls
Ethnicity: well I’m from China, go figure :slight_smile:
Gender: can’t be a boy can I? lol
Income Bracket: nothing that would draw attention.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):n/a

Reflection: I never though I could get in, but here I am…I heard that the reason I got in was my strength in humanities as an engineer. My essays are terrible with regard to grammar, which you can probably tell by now, but I read A LOT. I mean I’m very certain that I used alumni instead of alumnus in one of my essays. I’m just too ashamed to read that essay again lol. So my guess is that you should not be worried too much about grammar as long as you can get your point across(at least for aspiring engineers).

Also, in retrospect, I just want to tell everyone to follow your heart. If you are passionate about a school, apply to it. You love a school for a reason: something in you resonates with that school, and resonation is usually mutual :slight_smile:

!!!One thing I just noticed, I also read Sartre and Camus for fun!!lol maybe Columbia has a thing for existentialists.

4

Decision: Accepted - SEAS

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1600
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 96.3/100 unweighted
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): idk man
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc AB - 5 (freshman), AP Calc BC - 5 (sophomore), AP Chem - 5, AP Bio - 5, AP Physics C: Mech - 5, AP Stat - 4 (self studied lol) school pretty much only offers math & science APs before senior year
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stat (took Calc III + Linear Algebra junior year), AP Gov, AP Lit, AP Physics C: E&M, AP Econ, Anatomy & Physiology II (dual enrollment), EMT (dual enrollment)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, AP Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student council (VP), Scioly (VP + some medals), oncological research at Mount Sinai (~300 hours), NJ Governor’s STEM Scholars, Columbia University Science Honors Program, Medical Mentoring program at local hospital, junior volunteer program at another hospital, local first aid squad member, HOSA (some leadership + some medals), 2nd degree black belt Taekwondo, National Honor Society (junior year and senior year)
Job/Work Experience: none :frowning:
Volunteer/Community service: first aid squad, peer tutoring, hospital volunteering, public library
Summer Activities: Research internship at Mount Sinai, volunteering
Essays (rating 1-10, details): honestly i cannot judge my writing i think they were okay who knows?
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: AP Bio Teacher (also my teacher from freshman bio & student council advisor) - 9
Teacher Rec #2: Math Teacher (Calc BC & Calc III/Linear Algebra) - 7
Counselor Rec: Small school and she knows me really well - 9
Additional Rec: Research mentor - 10
Interview: Went really well! We talked about so many different things - current events and issues and the world (especially since it took place before the presidential election lol). I left feeling like we just had a great conversation.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Biomedical Engineering (as Pre-Med)
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Magnet
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Enough that I probs wouldn’t get financial aid
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Female in engineering?

Reflection

Strengths: My stats, and my ECs are pretty focused on my intended major/career
Weaknesses: My first marking period grades included a B and a B+
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to UPitt, have to go withdraw a bunch of apps now (submitted bc of December 1st deadline)

General Comments: SOOOOO EXCITED!! I was freaking out bc I’m not president/founder of 3 clubs or an AIME qualifier or an intel or siemens winner or a USABO competitor…College Confidential really messes with your mind and is not healthy tbh…I hate that I’m posting this bc I’m sort of encouraging the cycle but it’s whatever
anyways COLUMBIA 2021 YAY

5

DECISION = ACCEPTED

SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 34 (28 Math,35 Science, 35 English, 36 Reading) Dang math
SAT II: (790 #LITerature) (800 US History)
GPA : no idea unweighted, out of like 5 I had a 4.38, not spectacular
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 23 of 298 (class rank/GPA doesn’t matter???)
AP (place score in parenthesis): So many, National Scholar award. 4 AP Italian, 5 AP Comp gov are highlights
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: 6 AP’s, highest band ensemble, study hall (slacking senior year lol)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National AP Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, Boy’s State

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): President Debate, Academic Team, Secretary Tri-M Music Honor Society, Drum Captain Marching band, SPL Boy Scouts
Job/Work Experience: Pizza place sophmore year (not put on application)
Volunteer/Community service: National Honor society required hours, Boy Scouts
Summer Activities: Boy;s state, Internship w/ District Attorney, Virginia Residential Governor’s school
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9/10 wrote a really personal essay, wasn’t afraid to make fun of myself, showed personality. DID NOT write the “I’m perfect essay,” detailed the struggle.

List of media consumed supplement: 10/10 I think people underestimate how great being well read looks.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 AP US History/ AP Gov teacher - loves me, bonded over baseball and politics and history
Teacher Rec #2:10/10: AP Human Geo/AP Euro teacher - also loves me, I did so well in his class, appreciates my personality
Additional Rec:8/10 AP English teacher: Likes me/wants me to succeed, not anything too special though
Interview: Really good, dude told me he wanted me to get in, told me he thought i was a great fit/

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Philosophy/Film Studies
State (if domestic applicant): Virginia
Country (if international applicant): USA USA USA
School Type: Half of day at extremely bad public school, other half at smart dude magnet school.

Ethnicity: Half White af - Half Hispanic
Gender:M
Income Bracket: Just under 100k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Hispanic?

Reflection

Strengths: Recs, Supplements, Essay,
Weaknesses: GPA, half white? I HAD A C ONCE AND SEVERAL B’S FOR REAL DON’T WORRY GUYS SEND THE APPLICATION YOU CAN STILL DO IT
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I thought I had really unique essays,plus my teachers that wrote recs loved me
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Withdrew applications from Fordham and University of Mary Washington, this was my first and will be my only

Just wanted to add that I love all of you all already, anyone up for tunnel exploring??

6

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 33 (Reading: 36, Math: 35, English: 34, Science: 27)
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 3%
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): TBD
Senior Year Course Load: IB Diploma Candidate (HL Math, English, Physics, and History, SL Latin and Econ)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): (Not sure if these count!) 13th Individual Performance in National History Day (2014), New England Key Clubber of the Year, Harvard Book Prize Award

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Competitive dance: ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, pointe, local Ballet company’s Senior Corps (notable roles include Clara and Chinese Lead in the Nutcracker), Key Club (District Secretary of the New England and Bermuda District of Key Clubs), Latin Club (Vice President), EMARC Swim Leader (swimming with children with disabilities), National Honor Society
Job/Work Experience: Buser at local Italian restaurant, babysitter, summer intern at Beacon Communities
Volunteer/Community service: KEY CLUB is pretty much my whole life, swimming with children with special needs, dance teacher assistant
Summer Activities: Traveling, Key Club International Convention, Dance, Work, Internship, Boston Leadership Institute Programs (Intro to Surgery and Non-Western Medicine)
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 7/10 My common app essay was about my experience washing the white boards of my school! This humbling community service opportunity sparked my love and passion for Key Club <3

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 Latin: I’ve had this teacher for 3 years and he knows me better than any other teacher! He was also my advisor for my IB Extended Essay.
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10 History: I also had this teacher for 3 years! She supported my National History Day performance all the way through Nationals!
Counselor Rec: 9/10: I love my college counselor! I go to a relatively small school, so she definitely knows me well.
Additional Rec: 8/10 Key Club Advisor: This teacher has seen me grow as a Key Clubber (and person) ever since Freshmen year.
Interview: 7/10: On the phone. Went well, but I would have definitely preferred it in person!

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: English or Biophysics
State (if domestic applicant): MA
School Type: Charter
Ethnicity: Asian & White
Gender: F
Income Bracket: Medium, would definitely have needed financial aid

Reflection

Strengths: High GPA, leadership roles, community service, extracurriculars, nice person :slight_smile:
Weaknesses: ACT scores? Essays?
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I may be hard to read on paper. Although I take my studies extremely seriously, I also (to put it simply) like to have fun. I value my relationships with my friends and family, and make time for them no matter what. I love English and the books that are part of my school’s curriculum, but simply do not have the time to indulge on reading during my free time. I want to be a doctor, but the idea of helping others attracts me more than the science (oops!). Honestly, I think I was rejected because there are too many amazing people out there for Columbia to fit.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Not sure yet!

General Comments:
Columbia has been my dream school ever since I can remember. Getting rejected was tough (a lot of people were confident that I could do it!), but I am sure this all happened for a reason. For all of Columbia’s Class of 2021, congratulations!! Eat at Mel’s Burgers, cheer on the Lions, and explore Butler Library for me :slight_smile:

7

DECISION: ACCEPTED
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 30 (yeah i know)
SAT II: 750 lit and us history
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.83
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): no ranking at school
AP (place score in parenthesis): ap us history (5) ap gov (5) ap micro (5) ap lang (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:ap lit, ap spanish 5, ap calc ab, ap environmental, ap psych
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): student council (president), newspaper (editor in chief), speech (captain + state winner) feminism club (president, founder)
Job/Work Experience: work at the library, interned for state senator during the summer
Volunteer/Community service: tutor helping underprivileged elementary kids
Summer Activities: working, internship - basically it
Essays (rating 1-10, details): why columbia - 10 , what would you want to impact - 10, what major - 9 ( i love writing lol)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: ap gov teacher 9
Teacher Rec #2:ap lang teacher 8
Counselor Rec: 10+ i love him so much
Additional Rec: newspaper sponsor - i’ve known her for all of hs
Interview: didn’t have one

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yea
Intended Major: political science + comparative literature
State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public
Ethnicity: black (eritrean)
Gender: girl gang
Income Bracket: less thank 60K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first gen.

Reflection: i honestly don’t know how this happened…all i can say is i am thankful. we out here!!! and to those who didn’t get accepted: don’t worry, you’re amazing and will find your home!! see ya later columbia class of 2021

Strengths: essays, extracurriculars, recs,
Weaknesses: ACT LOOOOOOOOL
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: sheer luck tbh
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: accepted at tulane so far, but im withdrawing my uchicago app rn!!

General Comments: this is my longest yeah boiiiiiiii ever

8

I think its because your a female Eritrean

9

Columbia College Rejected
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):1440(CR:660;Math:780)
ACT (breakdown):29(Yeah you know)
SAT II:Physics 770 Chemistry 800 Math2 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):n/a
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):1st
AP (place score in parenthesis):Biology 3 Chemistry 3 Cal3 Physics C 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):n/a
Senior Year Course Load:my school don’t allow us to choose courses
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):Chunlei writing competition 1st place; Applied Math Beijing 2an place

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):Co-founder of a psychology-focused platform with 1.2 million followers; 3 separate research projects with esteemed universities about depression; president of student government; 2 research about literature;
Job/Work Experience:n:a
Volunteer/Community service:teaching autistic kids how to draw; LGBTQ volunteers
Summer Activities:na
Essays (rating 1-10, details):9;write about my enduring passion in psychology. Represent my social awareness.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1:English 9: finest writer. And researcher
Teacher Rec #2:7 not so strong
Counselor Rex: 8;
Additional Res: from my mentor. Don’t have a chance to read
Interview:8; the alumnus said I should be accepted

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:no
Intended Major:psychology; neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):china main land
School Type:public
Ethnicity:Asian
Gender:f
Income Bracket:100k?
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
No
Reflection

Strengths:EC
Weaknesses:SAT score/AP score
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:don’t know. Act is too low?
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:n/a

General Comments:congrats to those who got accepted. I am pretty depressed now.

10

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size]**

SEAS

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): None
ACT (breakdown): 34 (33 English, 35 Math, 30 Reading, 36 Science)
SAT II: Math 2 (800), Chemistry (800)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.82
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 18/57 (school does not officially rank)
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Chinese (5), AP Computer Science (5), AP World History (4), AP Chemistry (5), AP Physics 1 (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load: AP Statistics, AP US Gov, AP Lit, AP Physics C, AP Calc, Elective Chinese
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 6 Years video production club §, 7 Years school orchestra (VP), 4 Years Cycling team (VP), 1 Year Interact, 1 Year Swim team
Job/Work Experience: Internship at a lab in a local Uni.
Volunteer/Community service: Performed Violin in culture exchange programs (got hours for it), Volunteer work at a local hospital, Misc Interact community service stuff
Summer Activities: College visit frenzy (Including Columbia), Two high school science camps (both highly selective)
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common app essay: I wrote about my struggles when I was young for I had speech impediment issues that made life in general very difficult, thus it has impacted my confidence going into high school, thus my grades early on weren’t so good. I mentioned how I showed a string rising trend thus I am capable of more than what that GPA number shows. 10/10
Community Essay: Wrote about how to improve safety, maybe a bit too superficial. 8.5/10
Why Columbia Essay: Wrote about location as the key, quite a dry and commonly written topic however it was truth for I have family members that live in NYC and I have been there many times.
Why major essay: Wrote about the internship and camp and how my experiences made me choose my major.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: From English teacher in 10th grade and my College Counselor in 11th grade, knows me very well, my interest in video production has changed the way she taught students, 10/10
Teacher Rec #2: From Physics teacher in 11th and 12th grade and HR in 11th, gave me model student despite me falling asleep in his class… Heard from classmates that his recs are good, 9.5/10
Counselor Rec: From school principal, knew me (kind of) for 12 years, 9/10
Additional Rec: From Chemistry teacher in 10th and 11th, knows me pretty well and also wrote the recs that got me into the camps, 9/10
Interview: Was kind of meh, didn’t feel like it made an impact. I did travel over 2 hours to meet my interviewer so that showed my interest?

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Materials Science
State (if domestic applicant): OOS
Country (if international applicant): Taiwan
School Type: Large Public (our bilingual department is small, so probably small public)
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Medium High
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Lots of Legacy (Father, Uncle, Aunt)

Reflection

Strengths: Rising trend, legacy (can’t really control that), course rigor
Weaknesses: GPA, Test scores (ACT), Not enough leadership in ECs
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Since my story was all about the rising trend, they perhaps want to see me continue this trend then decide, so essentially my essay screamed “DEFER ME!”
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: No where else yet, waiting for EA Umich and UVA

General Comments: Felt kind of bad, but since no one in my school made it into an Ivy yet (even the first place student was deferred by Cornell), I guess i’m not alone in the deferral club. I wonder what my chances are now, and if someone is willing to tell me what my glaring weakness is I’ll appreciate it! Also congratz to those who made it, hopefully I’ll join you guys in April!

11

Decision: Accepted CC

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2330 - 800M, 800CR, 730WR
ACT (breakdown): n/a
SAT II: Math 2 800, Phys/Chem 760
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 102/100
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): ~top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Stat 5, World History 4
IB (place score in parenthesis): Chem 5
Senior Year Course Load: HL physics, math, history, and english, SL design tech and spanish
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Merit semifinalist, some minor local jouranalism awards, Medical Marvels competition - 2nd place

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Trivia bowl (president), Newspaper (copy editor), Model UN (secretary), Science Honor Society (VP), Columbia SHP, Varsity math team
Job/Work Experience: Worked on research at a Neuroscience lab at Stony Brook for a summer, tutor physics
Volunteer/Community service: Started a chess program to teach underserved kids in my region, also helped with homework in English and Spanish.
Summer Activities: Columbia Summer Science program, research, volunteer work
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 10. My essays were really geared towards the Columbia idea of learning in many different fields. I had a lot to write about because I’ve done so many programs at Columbia in the past so I didn’t find the essays too tough.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 9-10. My English teacher told me she worked really hard on my recommendation, and I assume my chemistry teacher did the same. My guidance counselor knows me pretty well so I’m sure she wrote something nice. I also sent in a really nice letter from the professor of my class at the Summer Program.

Teacher Rec #1: See above
Teacher Rec #2: See above
Counselor Rec: ^
Additional Rec: ^
Interview: Went really well! I liked the guy a lot.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Physics
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nope

Reflection

Strengths: I think being involved with Columbia for so long really helped not only on my apps but also writing the essays. Early decision also showed I really wanted to get in.
Weaknesses: I didn’t really have anything to show as far as achievements in research. My projects never did so well except for the separate Medical Marvels one.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Dedication!
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Withdrawing all my apps now! Shame I had to write all the supplements…

General Comments: Congrats to everyone who got in! For those who didn’t, don’t despair, you’ll end up where you belong :slight_smile:

12

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): n/a
ACT (breakdown): 31 composite - 33 math, 32 reading, 32 english, 28 science, 25 writing (yeet, I know)
SAT II: 760 Math I, 720 Math II
TOEFL: 117 composite (out of 120, so pretty good) - 30 R, 29 S, 29 L, 29 W
Weighted GPA (out of 5.0): In the 4.50’s
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): my school doesn’t rank, but I am probably the #1 student (its a really small school and a really small senior class)
AP (place score in parenthesis): n/a
IB (place score in parenthesis): taking the ib diploma, haven’t taken ib exams yet
Senior Year Course Load: IB Math HL, IB English Literature HL, IB Spanish Lang & Lit HL, IB Chemistry SL, IB Economics SL, IB History SL, Theory of Knowledge
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Venezuelan Math Olympiads: 2 Regional silver medals, 3 Regional gold medals, 1 National bronze medal and 1 National silver medal + other school awards

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): NHS (since the 6th grade, Historian (officer) in 11th and 12th grade), Student Council grade representative (since 11th grade), Rotary Club (Interact) Vice-President, Math Club proctor (math tutoring 20 elementary students), MS/HS annual school play (head of the makeup department since the 10th grade), Chess Club since the 11th grade, Art Club (art tutoring) since the 11th grade, Tennis Club from 9th to 10th grade.
Job/Work Experience: none (basically unheard of for teens to work where I’m from)
Volunteer/Community service: previously-mentioned Rotary Club, NHS, Math Club (tutoring), Art Club (tutoring)
Summer Activities: EXPLO at Yale (summer program) 2015, Mediterranean Teen Tour of Europe 2014
Essays (rating 1-10, details): I’d say its pretty average, but everyone tells me I’m underestimating it (9/10 I guess…) - It’s about having to raise a sibling in Venezuela’s economically and socially troubled situation.
Supplements: I’m really proud of them (10/10)

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 9/10, I read it and its pretty well-written, teacher loves me (Spanish teacher)
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10, didn’t read it but I’m sure that its good, teacher has taught me since the 7th grade (Math teacher)
Counselor Rec: I love my counselor and she loves me, but it probably wasn’t well written (7/10)
Interview: Overall, it was good (through Skype). Some awkward parts here and there, but I responded every question to the best of my abilities and the interviewer seemed pleased.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope
Intended Major: Mathematics-Statistics
State (if domestic applicant): n/a
Country (if international applicant): Venezuela
School Type: really really really small (only 28 people in my grade)
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: kinda high I guess - but it may all come down because of Venezuela’s crisis
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Probably being a Venezuelan citizen - having to live in an extremely troubled and unsafe country for my whole life

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, Extra-Curriculars, Essay + Supplements, AWARDS
Weaknesses: ACT SCORES YEET
Why you think you were accepted: I honestly have no idea, I was so confused. But my grades, essays, and ec’s were strong. I was a good candidate to fill up the Hispanic percentage.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I have to withdraw my EA application from UMichigan.

General Comments: I really really thought rejection was coming my way, but look at how things turned out. It shows you that you must never underestimate yourself, and must hope for the best. You never know whats going to happen. I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of this applicant pool, you guys are all amazing!

13

Decision: Deferred SEAS

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1300 (680 CR+W, 620 Math)
ACT (breakdown): None
SAT II: 670 US History, 590 Math II 470 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.993
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/102
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History 4 (Self study, 9th Grade), US Gov 4 (Self Study, 9th Grade), English Lang 4 (10th Grade), World History 4 (10th grade), Spanish Lang 4 (9th Grade), I got 3s in Cal BC (10th grade) and Bio (11th grade), but I did not include in my application. I took AP Physics 1 and took the AP test pertaining to it, as well as Physics 2 and C but did not include or even passed it
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:AP Gov, AP English Lit, AP Chemistry, French 2, Leadership (School ran out of math to give me lol)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar, LEDA Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Senior Class Secretary, Track and Cross Country, Associated Student Body,
Job/Work Experience: None, mostly family duties take up my time
Volunteer/Community service: Active in Church
Summer Activities: Took summer classes after 9th, went to China after 10th, I was part of LEDA after 11th in Princeton
Essays (rating 1-10, details): I say they were 5
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Stats Teacher from 11th, US History teacher from 11th who was in charge of doing research with me

Teacher Rec #1: 6
Teacher Rec #2: 7
Counselor Rec:6
Additional Rec: I got one from LEDA, 7?
Interview: It was okay, she was scared since gunshots were being shot a block over while I was unfazed (Used to it)

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Civil Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): Los Angeles, California
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Chicano
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Less than 10K (I am like very very poor)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Gay, First Gen American, First Gen College, abandoned by family after coming out

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were deferred: I am surprised I was even deferred, my scores were terrible and story was kinda trash, but I also judge myself very harshly. I did not really do any STEM EC, since politics at my school had them all taken away when teachers quit to make a new school.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: None yet

General Comments: I know I’m getting rejected, there really is not much to it. I go to the second best HS in Los Angeles, which is also low income. I sounded very humanitarian focused in my essays

14

Decision: Rejected

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2260 (790 Writing, 750 Math, 720 Critical Reading)
SAT II: 740 Chemistry (never took chemistry in high school, self-studied chemistry myself)
720 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.88
Weighted GPA: 4.44
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school does not rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World History (5), AP US History (5), AP Comp Sci (4), AP Statistics (4), AP Bio (4, self-studied), AP Chemistry (3, self-studied)
Senior Year Course Load: AP English, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, AP Spanish, AP Music Theory, Wind Ensemble,
Jazz Ensemble
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction, Consecutive medalist in the All-American Chinese Calligraphy Competition

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

  • Chinese calligraphy club at High school (founder, president), performed/volunteered in various community cultural events. Held 7 solo Chinese calligraphy and brush painting exhibitions through the greater Boston area.
  • Professional Theatre Actress, Actors' Equity Membership Candidate, performed in numerous professional productions in Boston including a world-premiere play and a east-coast premiere play
  • Music director and show accompanist for an organization that produces a full-scale musical with 5th grade students each year
  • Singer in Boston Children's Chorus. Member of the highest level choir. Sang in Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall (London), Boston Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall. Toured nationally and internationally.
  • Trumpet - accepted into the Eastern MA Jr Districts Band, member of a selective youth symphony, member of high school's symphony, wind, jazz ensembles, marching band, and play in pit orchestra for school musicals
  • Piano - ABRSM grade 8 (highest grade)
  • Participated in a language exchange program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Studied at an argentine private school, and lived with a local host family for three weeks

Volunteer/Community service:

Have been playing music for seniors at a local nursing home weekly since 2014. Consecutive recipient of Community Service Award for performing more than 20 hours of service each year. National Honors Society member

Summer Activities:

Freshmen summer - went to Columbia summer program for high school students, took a course on film history and a course on literature
Sophomore summer - went to Cornell summer college, took a condensed 6-week introductory chemistry course and a course on evolution. Courses were counted in college credit
Junior summer - took a film making course and a entrepreneur course at NYU. Wrote, directed, and shot a short film.

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

Common App (10/10) - one of the best personal essays I’ve written in years. I wrote about my experience growing up in a poor, unsophisticated little town in northern China, coming to the US and seeing how infinite the world is, and returning to the town to find myself envious of the town’s people’s obliviousness to the size of the world. This realization pushes me to work diligently to honor those people in my town who may never have the opportunity to leave and go live in a world of opportunities like I do.
Columbia Supplements (10/10) - gave my best on those, have no regrets. Wrote about how I felt in love with columbia when I attended their summer program during the summer of my freshman year. Wrote about my passion for cultural diversity, tolerance and inclusion. Also wrote about my passion in film, and how I pursued it by taking film classes at Columbia and NYU.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 9/10 - did not read, from my Honors Spanish teacher who said I am one of the most analytical, intricate/thoughtful person he has ever taught.
Teacher Rec #2: 6/10 - did not read, from my Honors math teacher, earned an A in her class, but could be pretty generic because we did not talk a lot, so I’m unsure about how well she knows me.
Counselor Rec: 7/10 - did not read, I honestly don’t really know about this one. But my counselor knows that I self-studied chemistry and AP Biology, and my background as an immigrant who only came here in 7th grade.
Additional Rec: One from a film professor at NYU who taught me during a summer film-making course at NYU. Another from the manager of activities in the nursing home in which I have been playing music every week for the past three years, she offered to write this additional letter for me!

Interview: 8/10 - I was interviewed by an alum who did not even know what is a symphony orchestra. Honestly felt like I knew so much better than my interviewer did. But I responded his questions with a lot of detail and passion, and my interviewer said I was a very unique candidate and someone who deserves to be looked at closely. This interview definitely did not hurt me, but don’t know if it made a difference.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Film Studies/Astrophysics/Music
State (if domestic applicant): MA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian - Chinese
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Middle class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation college, Immigrant

Reflection

Strengths: Very unique and focused extracurricular activities - showed my passion and perseverance for the music/art/performing arts, essays, the fact that I self-studied chemistry and AP biology
Weaknesses: AP scores could be higher, GPA could be higher, being Asian, some rec letters could be stronger, maybe a higher critical reading score would help?
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: rejected by my dream school… huge disappointment…:(((((( but I’m long used to hard work not getting recognized… Maybe my scores aren’t high enough as an Asian student applying to an ivy league. But I really don’t know. It’s a matter of chance.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: waiting to hear from UChicago EA, and applying to a whole lot of other schools RD

General Comments: For these extremely selective school, once you meet their score averages, it becomes 80% luck, don’t take decisions too personally.
Wishing everybody lots of luck in this college-search process!!! <3

15

**Decision: Accepted - CC **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): Composite: 34 (English: 34, Math: 31, Reading: 35, Science: 34) Writing (as if it matters lol): 36
SAT II: Math II: 800, Chem: 770, Italian: 720, BioM: 710 (Ik it’s kinda low, but I took this one freshman year)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.99
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Sophomore: Modern World History (5); Junior: English Lang. (5), Chemistry (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Art History, AP BC Calc, AP Italian Language and Culture, Physics, Biotechnology: Medicine and Science Research, English Trimester Seminars: Honors American Literature I (Fall Trimester), Honors American Literature II (Winter Trimester), Honors World Literature III (Spring Trimester)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar, Honorable Mention in the Level III National Italian Contest

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Admissions Intern (Head Intern, Admin to Social Media), Mock Trial (Team Captain, Won “Outstanding Prosecution Attorney” at regional competition (2016)), Research at School Science Institute, Photography (Won Best in Class for Digital Art at Local County Fair (2014)), Varsity Track and Field (Shotput)
Job/Work Experience: 2015: Teaching Assistant at InLingua Firenze (basically a company that teaches language to executives at businesses and summer students), 2016: Internship in Immunology lab at UCSF (2016)
Volunteer/Community service: Peer Tutoring (leader/coordinator), volunteer at local rehabilitation hospital (worked primarily with alzheimer’s and dementia patients)
Summer Activities: Fr-So Summer: High School Summer Science Institute (4 week long biology course with included 2 week research project), So-Jun Summer: 5-week immersion trip to Italy (2 weeks with school program learning about Italian language, art, and culture, 1 week off, 2 weeks working as TA), Jun-Sen Summer: Lab internship at UCSF
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common app: 8, I wrote about a topic that fit really well for city schools (it was about catcalling and gaining confidence in a city despite potential harassments), but I was scared that it didn’t say enough about me and how I’ve grown. My counselors and friends all loved it though, so my criticisms may be a result of my fierce self-deprecation. Columbia Specific: 9, I killed myself for these essays…I referenced Columbia Spectator Articles, Columbia Magazine Features, and name dropped book/works like crazy to make myself seem qualified (i.e. Crime and Punishment, Botticelli, etc.)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1 (Italian Teacher): 10, I’ve had her for 3 years and she chaperoned the trip to Italy I took as a sophomore. She’s also one of the teacher-coaches for the Mock Trial team, so I work with her a lot there as well. She’s essentially like my second mom and knows me better than any other faculty member.
Teacher Rec #2 (AP Chem Teacher): 10, had her for 2 years in a row, she’s a super young teacher so we could bond very easily. Loved her class, and at one point she said I was so qualified that I could teach the class instead of her.
Counselor Rec: 9, We got along really well, but honestly we didn’t meet nearly as much as she did with other students. This was mostly because she trusted me, but that makes me feel she didn’t know me as well as she could have. Either way, we still had a great relationship, so I’m sure she said great things, so I still give it a 9.
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Never got one (which was nerve racking), but it’s ok because they’re RANDOMLY ASSIGNED!!

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: Biology or Comparative Literature
State (if domestic applicant): California (NorCal)
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Small Private
Ethnicity: Asian (Japanese and Filipino)
Gender: F
Income Bracket: mid-high
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy (Dad CC ’85 and CCPS ’89), I’m half filipino?

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, Test Scores, Difficult Classes, Recs, Essays, Leadership positions
Weaknesses: I’m an asian chick applying for bio…I felt like most other STEM focused students usually do so much more than I did…also, though I didn’t have that many APs, it’s because my school doesn’t offer that many (besides the ones I took/am taking, there are only 4 other AP classes, one of which being a different foreign language and the other being AB Calc)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Now that I write these things out, I see how much I’ve done and how I’m qualified, but in all honesty, I feel like EVERYONE’S app looks like this so I was extremely doubtful of my acceptance. Despite my legacy, my older brother got deferred and then rejected for Columbia, which showed me that legacy didn’t seem to aid his admission. I honestly had no idea that I would get in; I thought the congratulatory video was an advertisement haha.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere, it’s ED!!

General Comments :
Words cannot express how grateful and humble I am to be accepted to an institution like Columbia. It astounds me that out of thousands of applicants, they thought that I was worthy to be a Columbia student. I really have no other tips than try to be secure in that YOUR HANDWORK PAYS OFF and YOU ARE SO QUALIFIED!!! Congratulations to my classmates, I can’t wait for next fall!

16

Decision: Accepted - Columbia College

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1440 (680CR, 760M)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: A-Level Economics, A-Level Physics, A-Level Physical Education, A-Level Mathematics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Academic Honor Roll, UK Maths Challenge, multiple subject awards, 4 As in AS Level Examinations

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student Council (President), Deputy Head Boy, Varsity Track and Field (Captain), Varsity Cross Country (Captain), House Captain, mentored younger students at school, entrepreneurial activity

Job/Work Experience: Worked at a local watersports company (didn’t include this in my application)

Volunteer/Community service: Working with a charity at christmas, collecting and distributing food for less affluent families. Volunteering at local running races, assisting with organisation, registration, timing. Mentoring younger students
Summer Activities: Work (above)
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
-Common App Essay - wrote about my education at a Montessori school and the impact it has had on me (9/10).
-Why Columbia Essay - wrote about the core, NYC and the opportunities for an economics major , student to faculty ratio, politically engaged students, diverse student body, D1 athletics. (8/10)
-Why Economics Essay - wrote about living in the Cayman Islands and how the gap between the wealthy and poor intrigued me, spoke about past businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors, my passion for economics, what I hope to do with my degree (9/10)
-What I Hope To Impact Essay - wrote about the Caribbean Students Association and how I would further the diversity of that group, spoke about the CSA’s annual mission trip helping those in less affluent Caribbean nations (8/10)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: Economics Teacher - really nice teacher, he absolutely loved me, got on really well (10/10)
Teacher Rec #2: English Teacher - known me since middle school, always had a good relationship with him, very eloquent (9/10)
Counselor Rec: Small school, knew me well, really reinforced and expanded on my activities listed (9/10)

Additional Rec: Social Studies Teacher - known me since middle school, was head of middle school, always got on with her very well (9/10)
Interview: N/A

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Economics
State (if domestic applicant): N/A
Country (if international applicant): Cayman Islands
School Type: Private Co-Ed
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: High
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): No

Reflection:

Strengths: Extracurriculars, essays, references
Weaknesses: SAT score
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Strong in all aspects of the application, very well rounded individual, being from the Cayman Islands may have helped a bit
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: N/A

General Comments: SO HAPPY! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!! #ROAR2021

17

Decision: Accepted CC

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1520; 780 Math, 740 Reading
ACT (breakdown): 33; 35 English, 30 Math, 34 Science, 34 Reading, 33 Writing
SAT II: 770 Biology M, 760 Chemistry, 760 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9444
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4 of 759
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (5), Biology (4), US History (5), Physics 1 (3), Calculus AB (5), Chemistry (5), 6 AS Level courses (c, b, b, a, a, d), 1 A Level Course (A)
IB (place score in parenthesis): NA
Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC, AP European History, AP Microeconomics, AP US Government and Politics, AP Psychology, AP English Literature, AP Macroeconomics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Regional Science Fair Winner (2nd place Microbiology), AP Scholar with Distinction, AICE Diploma with Distinction (Advanced International Certificate of Education awarded by Cambridge University for completion of a set of AS and A Level examinations, highest level), Harvard Book Award, Outstanding Science Award, Sunshine State Scholar for Science and Mathematics Nominee

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society (President), Chemistry Club (Vice President), Applied Calculus Club (President), Green Space Environmental Club, Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Club, Key Club
Job/Work Experience: NA
Volunteer/Community service: Bethesda Hospital VolunTeen, Intern at Florida Atlantic University in a Chemistry research laboratory
Summer Activities: See above category
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App (9/10), spoke about my research at FAU and new possibilities
Columbia Supplements (9/10), spoke about specific chemistry and biology professors, specific clubs and organizations, and my general love for both Columbia and New York City
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
AP Chemistry Teacher (10/10), we are very close, she is like a mentor/mother to me; I did read it
AP European Teacher (10/10), again we are close and she is an excellent writer; I did read it
Guidance Counselor (8/10), excellent, but he has over 600 students to field; I did not read it

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10
Teacher Rec #2: 10/10
Counselor Rec: 8/10
Additional Rec: NA
Interview: With an older gentleman who went to the school when it was still all-male. Interesting conversation topics, and we got along really well. At a Starbucks, I bought his coffee and we talked for a little over an hour. Definitely helped my application.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Biochemistry
State (if domestic applicant): Florida
Country (if international applicant): United States
School Type: Large Public School (3000 students)
Ethnicity: African American (Caribbean)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Above 200k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): AICE Diploma with Distinction is earned by few in the United States, many states do not even offer AS and A Level course, let alone enough to earn an AICE Diploma

Reflection

Strengths: Scores, Grades, Recommendation Letters, Extracurriculars
Weaknesses: Essays could have been better, 1 small typo
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think I was accepted because I did have the average scores, but after that I can only guess that something drew the committee to me (maybe pure luck)
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments: I am excited to be a Columbia Lion!!! #Roar2021

18

SAT I (breakdown): 2300 (780 Math, 770 Writing, 750 Reading)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 790 U.S. History, 780 Math Level 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.87
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): U.S. History (5), Statistics (4), Physics 1 (4), Spanish Language (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Not going to write all of my courses, but 5 APs and two required courses
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Won awards in several regional and national Model UN conferences.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Model Organization of American States (President), Model United Nations (Vice-President), Student Council (Member-at-Large), Journalist for school newspaper, Community Service Club, 4 year varsity athlete and nationally-ranked junior tennis player
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Over 60 hours with many different organizations
Summer Activities: Summer program at Andover Prep, Summer program at Oxford
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8/10 (could’ve been better but were strong)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 7/10 (I worry about one teacher torpedoing my application)

Teacher Rec #1: 9/10
Teacher Rec #2: 5/10
Counselor Rec: 7/10
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): Puerto Rico
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private (The best on the island)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 200+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Nope

Reflection

Strengths: My extracurriculars, my scores, my grades
Weaknesses: my ethnicity, my recs
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I am white.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Still waiting on UChicago and University of Michigan

19

OH I FORGOT TO WRITE I GOT DEFERRED^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

20

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1510 (760 CR, 750 M)
ACT (breakdown): 33 (English 34, Math 32, Reading 36, Science 31)
SAT II: US History 780, Math 2 770
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.6ish
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 30%
AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH (5) AP Euro (5) AP Macro (4) AP Bio (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP US Gov, AP Calc AB, AP Eng Lit, AP Eng Lang, AP Human Geo, Physics Honors
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Youth Political Association (Co-President), Student Council (Student Representative), Model UN, Varsity Baseball
Job/Work Experience: KCG Summer Internship 20 hours/week for 6 weeks
Volunteer/Community service: About 100 hours, 80 for Student Council
Summer Activities: KCG again
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9/10 for the Common App, the topic was growing up with deaf parents and their divorce with how it affected how I turned out. 7/10 for the supplementaries as they were solid but definitely probably stand out.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: ap world teacher 9/10
Teacher Rec #2: APUSH, AP Gov, and AP Human Geo teacher 8/10
Counselor Rec: 8/10
Additional Rec:
Interview: 8/10, it was an interesting interview where we ended up debating the philosophical limits of what constitutes torture and what to do to further prevent it. It was a solid interview but not necessarily a game changing one.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public Magnet
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Upper Middle Class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy

Reflection

Strengths: Common App essay, legacy, test scores
Weaknesses: GPA, race, supplementaries
Why you think you were rejected: A large part of it was my overall grades and me not necessarily having enough of a compelling application to make up for it. I probably would’ve needed more unique supplementaries to make up for the lower GPA and I probably wasn’t the right fit Columbia was searching for.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: So far Rutgers.

General Comments:
Congratulations to everyone who got into Columbia as you all must have had something special to show to Columbia. For everybody else, there’s no need to be pessimistic as there’s plenty of other excellent opportunities out there and perhaps, there are schools that are far greater fits for us than Columbia. It’s been a good run.