@melrosethecat Applying EA to MIT already (and either way, I wouldn’t apply anywhere ED for financial aid reasons).
Applying ED to Brown lol
Anyone start their supplemental essays yet? I’m confused because Columbia’s website has a 300-word (max) essay regarding your particular field of study in either the college or school of engineering. However, I don’t see this question any where on the Common App. Helpn
@chillkitty you need to select that you’re applying to engineering before it appears on the application; it appears on mine.
Hi, I’m an international applicant interested in applying to Columbia RD,A little background on me I guess? I’m applying from Nigeria and my secondary school(high school)grades are above average, nothing spectacular, I’ve also graduated btw.I’m taking the sats in December and I’m expecting pretty good results(1500 or a perfect)but I essentially have little to no extracurriculars,mainly due to socioeconomic circumstances at the school I attended.
I’m also half Nigerian, half Ethiopian idk if that counts? They both schooled abroad in Europe on scholarships. I’m not really putting alot of hope into getting in I’m sure my chances are pretty slim. Any way,if you have any advice or help, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks
@melrosethecat Idk about anyone here,but I’m mostly applying RD because of logistical issues with international deadlines
Haha I’m applying SCEA to Princeton too @mackyg !
Also, are you people tackling a particular club/society in the ‘aspect of columbia’ question, or is it mo
@icarus29 In my essay a couple years ago I wrote extensively about a specific department. A club or society is probably also OK, but watch out, because a club or society or whatever will not define the totality of the Columbia experience for nearly anyone. Also avoid being generic, since the whole “wow it is in New York” or “wow I want to meet smart people” thing is something they’ve seen ad nauseum I’m sure.
@icarus29 ok just making sure cause i’ve seen a lot of people fall into the generic “ilny” trap and it kills, it kills, I’m tellin ya!
Yea, I study here, I’m currently a sophomore, doing music and (maybe) film studies.
:-< can anyone tell me what my chances are at Columbia? I’d really appreciate it
hailelagi! hi i saw your post and thought I should answer.
I visited columbia last week since i’n applying early decision and spoke to the admissions officers.
Your chances are not too low for columbia, but the no extracurriculars activities is a major issue.
You said it’s because of the district’s economy? I suppose than it’s not your fault, so they will take that into consideration.
I joined clubs, but columbia wants leadership positions. unfortunately, because of my status and situation in school, i was not able to get any leadership positions, but i participated in clubs anyway. so once i explain to them why, they will understand.
do you know your school ranking? that’ll help me get a better picture. I’m 20 out of 650, top 4%. most columbia students were in the top 10%, if not better.
your grades have to be pretty good to get into columbia. there’s no way around it, i spoke to them. you need at very least, maybe a 94, 95 average, unweighted and weighted.
what they said as for test/sat grades and clubs and essays, what they do is look for strengths.
so if one part of your application isn’t strong, what they do is look for another strong part to make up for it.
so if you have little to no clubs, if you have a perfect sat score, they make it up with that.
If you don’t have either, you better have OUTSTANDING grades and an extremely sad backstory, because there’s no saving you then. The point is to be a well rounded student.
Columbia definetely looks for diversity, so that will boost you up a very slight bit.
*advice for the sat- you’re talking to a u.s. born native english speaker. for the sat, KNOW YOUR GRAMMAR. a big part of it that will catch up to you is the english language part. know the difference and ALL of the uses of these symbols in english- dash(-), comma (,), colon (:), and semicolon(;). It will save your life, especially if you want that perfect score.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! I’ll check up on here once in a while.
If we both make it in, I’d love to meet you!
@rindedee thanks alot for this reply, I think I have a better picture of what Columbia is looking for and in terms of class rank, I’m not quite sure because the system of education is kind of different but I’d probably say it’s around the top 20-30% mark. Like I said NOT great, that’s basically my greatest weakness, in terms of the sat I’m not sure about a perfect score just yet but I do think I’d do pretty well. And as far as clubs and extra curriculars go they’re pretty much non-existent in my education system. Oh and thanks for the tips
For the major-specific essay prompt that’s like, “If you are applying to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the field or fields of study that you noted in the Member Questions section” what is the Member Questions section?
it’s the ‘Questions’ Page that pops up on the left bar, under Columbia.
Hi to all, I am international, currently at IB 12-th grade, all 7s, total 45 plus a certificate of French. Amazing extracurriculars, essay, perfect recomendations, but low SAT (1420). Toefl 115. SAT Math 2 - 760. Any chance of being admitted? Thanks to all.
@tiko1999 You have a chance of being admitted.
@dartagnaneb thank you
Also, @tiko1999 it appears you’ve posted this reply in multiple places, included the Columbia Early Decision thread, where you mentioned that you applied ‘EA’. There’s only Early Decision at Columbia. Additionally, your SAT is fairly low for their applicant pool. Having all 7s in your IB courses is pretty impressive, but assuming that after all of the testing that you will achieve a total of 45/45 points on the diploma is highballing for almost every IB student on the planet. So do you have a chance? Sure, but your SAT is pretty low for the ED pool. But yes, you like everyone else who applies, has a chance.
For the community impact question, do you guys think it would be okay if I wrote about wanting to form a team for something Columbia does not currently have (as in, they don’t have anything remotely similar at the moment, but I did the thing in high school)? Or would it seem too naive: this girl thinks she can start any organization she wants?