<p>Hi. I'm currently a freshman in high school, thinking ahead to college. Most of you probably think that that's a bit extreme, but I have been obsessed with Columbia for nearly five years now, and it's been my motivation for studying and just not giving up all together. So, based on that background info, you can tell that it is my dream school. Being my dream school, I was wondering what stats and extra curriculars I can join to get a head start on admissions. I'm already secretary of my class, in the Interact club, in band and chorus, and on the newspaper. I intend to pursue law or journalism, I'm not sure. My weighted average is a 101.25 and I'm taking my first AP next year (Euro...also what are some tips for that?) Thanks so much. (So basically I'm just asking what I need to do to get into Columbia.)</p>
<p>Also, if anyone got in (congrats!) to Columbia or a school on it's level, what are some of your stats (or a link please, thanks!) that I can try to achieve in the next years of high school? Thank you, you don't know how much this means to me.</p>
<p>make sure you’re taking the most challenging course selection your high school offers, and excel in all your classes. stay consistent with your extracurriculars, and try to rise to officer positions in as many as possible. forge good relationships with your teachers, because you never know who you’ll need to ask for a recommendation. start thinking about standardized tests–it’s a little early for the SAT and ACT, but if you already have a skill tested as a subject test (you speak fluent spanish, for example, or you just happen to be a budding chemist) think about taking one, after assiduous prep, of course. remember that columbia sees all your test scores, so try not to bomb an SAT/ACT because score choice won’t save you. DON’T GET SUSPENDED–i did in my sophomore year, and it’s a miracle i got in anyway.</p>
<p>but remember that it’s not all about stats. columbia, perhaps more than any other selective college, emphasizes the personal side of your application and looks for traits that distinguish you from the homogeneous mass of overachievers. try to identify what makes you unique and cultivate it. unusual talents such as juggling or playing the harp are more impressive than your typical piano/violin/tennis/cross-country ECs–not that you should drop those activities if you really love them. work to stand out from the crowd.</p>
<p>as contradictory as this sounds, though, it’s also very important not to get too caught up in the “rat race” of the admissions process by catering your entire high school experience specifically to your prospective college. enjoy yourself, don’t burn yourself out, and remember that you’ll probably encounter a fair number of setbacks along the way–i sure did. admissions officers are pretty good at overlooking small mistakes and flaws, especially those that occurred early on in your high school career.</p>
<p>You’re at a great advantage for establishing your goals this early. good luck in all your high school pursuits!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, and congrats on getting in! What ECs did you do that qualified you to be accepted? I mean you had great advice, but I’m just wondering what ECs I could do that could make me stand out? I am a class officer, band, chorus, in the newspaper. I am thinking about entering a sort of writing competition because I really enjoy that, but I don’t know where I would find any of those competitions or essay entering things? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I just got in ED and my main interest throughout high school, like you, was journalism. One thing to think about (which you probably already know) is that Columbia doesn’t have a journalism major (undergrad), so, for example, I’m probably going to major in international affairs or something like that – a subject that would supplement my career in journalism.</p>
<p>I think the most important thing to make sure of right now for your ECs is that they have a strong focus. Don’t spread yourself too thin all willy-nilly over unrelated ECs just for the sake of having lots of them on your resume. If you want to pursue law/journalism, it’s better if your ECs are related to that. I was editor-in-chief of my school paper and interned at the Dallas Morning News my junior/senior year, so I would recommend applying for those at the major paper in your city, but I was also an officer of my school’s Junior World Affairs Council as well as Model UN club so it made sense when I applied to Columbia as a prospective international affairs student.</p>
<p>Lastly,</p>
<p>You’re a freshman. ***. Get off of CC and go have some fun, haha :)</p>
<p>do something that very few people do.</p>
<p>most of the applicants will have great stats and great EC’s… just do something people don’t do.</p>
<p>get the 2200+ sat score, get the A’s in AP and honors classes, get the leadership positions, but DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.</p>