columbia or penn?

<p>Hey everybody. I have a question about which school I have a better chance at. I know my chances are slim at both schools but I'm just curious. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>1480 SAT (780m/700v)
90.5 uw avg
700 math IC SAT II
taking US History and Writing SAT IIs in December
240 hours of volunteer work
track team 2 years
Christian Club 4 years (treasurer)
Bible Study teacher</p>

<p>Thanks guys!</p>

<p>I said you have a 20-30% chance at both schools...</p>

<p>if you have a dire passion, emphasize it.</p>

<p>I mean, you're SAT is i nthe upper range, but your GPA is kinda low. Your extracurriculars aren't spectular. So you're better than those people who apply but have absolutely no chance but you're by far not a shoo-in either. Honestly (I might be too harsh, CC correct me) you're on the lower end of the "acceptable" pool.</p>

<p>bump... and by the way guys I know i have very little chance at these schools. I just wanted to know which one I have a better chance at.</p>

<p>Upenn is prob a bit easier to get in, ain't it?</p>

<p>bump.......................................</p>

<p>i got deferred with similar stats
1570 SAT and 230 SAT II
at least didn't get rejected outright</p>

<p>Of course you have a chance at both, but I really don't believe there is a better chance at one than the other. You must accept the fact that this is the most luck-driven and arbitrary decision that will ever be made by someone else regarding your life. It is one big lottery. The reader of your app may have gotten in a fight with the Mrs. that morning and will therefore rip apart your 90 avg. Then again, he/she may have found a $50 bill in the Columbia admissions parking lot and will look very highly upon your board scores. Who knows, baby.</p>

<p>I got flat out rejected from Columbia ED with SAT: 1500 (770v/730m) SATIIs: 780 US History, 730 Literature, 700 writing. 3.93 UW, 4.67W GPA, all IB courses (HS ranked #1 public HS in MD). One excellent rec., one EXCELLENT counselor rec (he was my JV football coach). ECs: Cap't of JV football team (9,10), varsity lacrosse (defensive capn) (10, 11, 12), club lacrosse (10, 11, 12), SGA steering committee (events coordinator) (9-12), It's Academic team (11-12), JSA publicity coordinator (11-12), tutored Tibetan students English in China (12th grade summer) and worked with local Tibetan NGOs in China (writing proposals requesting aid for humanitarian projects) (12th grade summer). Awards: National Merit Commended Scholar, State of MD Distinguished Scholar Award Semi-Finalist, Presidential Volunteer Service Award (280+ hours)</p>

<p>My advice for Columbia would be to EMPHASIZE YOUR STRENGTHs. Don't feel bad sending extra letters of recommendation if you feel they will help you, although don't bombard them with like 20. I think me following the Columbia directions on the app might have ****ed me over.</p>