Columbia RD Chances/Tips for Applying Please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

I (think) I will apply to Columbia SCEA. I know my GPA is very low. Could anybody give me tips/chance ?

UW GPA: 3.61
WGPA: i think 4.4

9th Grade APs: {AP US History}

10th Grade APs: {AP Calc BC, AP NSL, AP CompSci A, AP Biology}

11th Grade APs/Post-APs: {AP Statistics, AP CS Principles (pilot course before it was released. will take ap exam this year), AP World History, Multivariable Calc (Semester 1 Community College), Differential Equations (Semester 1 Community College), Linear Algebra (Semester 2 Community College), Introduction to Abstract Algebra (Semester 2, State College)

12th Grade APs/Post-APs: {AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, Graph Theory (Semester 1, State College), Advanced Combinatorics (Semester 2, State College)

SAT Math II: 800
SAT Math I: 800
SAT Physics II: 800
SAT Chemistry II: 800
SAT Bio M II: 800
ACT: 35 (36 Math, 36 Science, 34 Reading, 34 English) (maybe I can retake to get a 36??)

ECs/Awards:

Perfect AP Exam Score (every question right; won’t say which exam bc privacy); Chess Club; Math Team; Robotics Team; Yearbook Club; 300+ Community Service Hours (volunteered at a hospital, and some other places); Tutor for AP Biology; National AP Scholar; Piano 10+ Years; Google Code Jam Top 5000 (2015 & 2016); State Math Tournament Honorable Mention (Top 1%); AMC 12A & 12B School Winner; AIME Qualifier; 6 on AIME, USACO Silver Divisionist (2015); USACO Gold Divisionist (2016); PSAT National Commended Scholar; University of Iowa Calculus Competition First Place; University of Iowa Probability/Combinatorics First Place; Intern at well-known tech company; Univ of Iowa Programming Competition Honorable Mention; 1st place in another Iowa Community College Programming Competition; Won a regional & state robotics competition (lost at nationals); Chemistry Honorable Mention at County Science Fair; Took a summer class on Antibodies (2014); Received grade of A+ in Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Introduction to Abstract Algebra

Great teacher recommendations, but ok/generic counselor recommendation. no hooks. i go to a public magnet school and I am Asian. I think i want to major in either mathematics or chemical engineering.

any tips/thoughts?

2

oops sorry it’s like midnight and i typed scea. I meant to type SEAS (Regular Decision)

3

In relation to the top kids at your HS, how does your GPA compare? What I mean is despite the 3.61, is that still one of the top GPAs in your school? Some schools grade harder than others. If this is the case for you, then you’re in a much better place since your test scores are fine.

Other than that focus on what’s still in your control: crush your 1st semester grades, spend great time on your essays, choose wisely your teacher recs. Apply broadly and don’t count on CU-- only see it as a dream application.

Good luck.

4

@T26E4 OK - I will do my best first semester (on a side note, I have had straight As since semester II of sophomore year). In our school, the GPA has a large distinction between magnet and non-magnet kids. (e.g. magnet kids have to take harder classes). My GPA is very high relative to the entire graduating class (magnet & non-magnet) but average relative to the graduating magnet class (more competitive; excludes non-magnet). However, our school does not send ranks.

Thanks for your advice!

5

Really, the tippy top kids MIGHT be viable. The further you are from that group, the steeper and steeper your chances at a school with an applicant pool as competitive as CU. I recruit for a CU peer college. I tell families and students that IF right now, they’re one of the handful of top students in their grade, today – known by the faculty and principal – then they MIGHT be viable.

What’s left unsaid is that, in my opinion, if one isn’t one of these academic stars, for my school, one’s chances are close to nil.

6

@T26E4 Thank you for your advice.