<p>Been at Columbia for almost 7 semesters now. Procrastinating on studying, but here to answer questions that anyone may have.</p>
<p>Do you know how possible it is to get in after being deferred?</p>
<p>Columbia accepts a certain amount of people that are deferred every year (just like most schools). Deferral usually means that you were a good candidate, but they wanted to hold off on your application until they saw the Regular Decision applicant pool</p>
<p>Your chances aren’t 0%, but they’re not high. Deferred doesn’t mean “you would have gotten in if they had more space”; it means “you might get in, depending on what the RD pool looks like.” And since there are 30,000 people in the RD pool, don’t get your hopes up. Still, being deferred is better than being rejected. I’d give a totally unscientific estimate of your chances as 10%.</p>
<p>Thanks! I didn’t have any expectations in the first place so it sort of shocked me that I even got deferred. My SAT is a 2320 and I’m 2nd in my class so I don’t know how much they care about my mid year grades. That’s definitely my strong point. It’s going to be my ECs and essays that decide my fate. How can I make myself more desirable in these next months, if even possible?</p>
<p>What EC’s did you do in high school?</p>
<p>Focus on keeping your grades at the same level they were before or event better (if possible). Keep doing what you are doing. I don’t think most people will have anything out of this world amazing happen to them in the next few months, but if you do, it may be worth mentioning.</p>
<p>To letmeseetheworld:</p>
<p>I did the standard philanthropy club, varsity sport, and competition group. I also had personal interest in a certain hobby (programming, art, etc.) and was able to convey that through my personal statement. I don’t think I didn’t anything “amazing.”</p>
<p>How did you first make friends at Columbia? I’ve been hearing that it’s harder to do than in other colleges because Columbia is not a traditional college.</p>
<p>NYU is not a traditional college. Columbia is, but it’s in a city. There’s less rah-rah school spirit, but there is a campus, on which you’ll constantly see people that you know. </p>
<p>Especially freshman year, it’s relatively easy to meet new people and make friends. You just have to take the initiative in reaching out to people, saying hello, making plans to hang out, and then following through on those plans. It’s incredibly easy to meet people during NSOP, but once classes start, people tend to busy and lose touch. That’s when you want to make sure you’re making plans and hanging out with people. </p>
<p>In addition, try to become friends with people on your floor, and join clubs to explore your interests and find people with similar interests.</p>
<p>pearly777:</p>
<p>It’s true that Columbia is not the traditional college (i.e. small campus, big city, not as much campus life, etc.) But it does have a campus and the students/administrators try really hard to create a campus community.</p>
<p>I’ll say that during my NSOP week, the only time I was in my room was to sleep. Literally, I would get up for the morning events during NSOP and not come back until 1 am or later. Use NSOP to get to know your floor and friends you meet in John Jay Dining Hall or Ferris. I also did one of the pre-orientation programs CUE/COOP. It definitely help bridged the awkwardness of being on a new campus without friends.</p>
<p>When do students (SEAS) go to study abroad? Is it out of the realm of possibility for an engineering student to go abroad for a full year?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>One more question before I forget.
What is the job situation like for freshmen (on campus and off) to help meet the student contribution? No job experience here, which I’m assuming will hinder my off campus chances.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>To cuseas17:</p>
<p>SEAS Students usually travel abroad for 1 semester during their sophomore year. Though the student council and various are working on the study aboard issue in general.</p>
<p>It’s definitely hard to get a job freshmen year, but it’s not impossible. It’s all about being prepared and finding a mentor. Two differences are work-study and internships. Work-study, I believe you find that through your financial aid office in conjunction with CCE. Internships, you look mostly through CCE and/or have upperclassmen recommend you (slim chance).</p>
<p>What did you write for your ‘Why Columbia’ supplement?</p>
<p>I feel like I’m talking too much about NYC and the cliche ‘so many diverse people.’ Is there anything super unique and special about Columbia I can write about?</p>
<p>Do you know anyone who majors in Architecture or Sustainable Development?</p>
<p>I have two questions, one similar to a previous question asking about the “why Columbia?” Essay but slightly different (i already know why) How would you start off the essay so that it won’t come off as cliche? My second question is how do you go about having a student designed major.</p>
<p>Please get back to me thanks!</p>
<p>I have a question about the Core Curriculum’s foreign language requirement. How does placing out work? If I take the French SAT II and get something in the 700s, would I be able to avoid four semesters of college French?</p>