Columbia University, Early Decision

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm just curious.</p>

<p>General: Male, Asian, Legacy (Both parents and numerous relatives went to Columbia Engineering, though I would be applying to the College for Computer Science). Family Income is 100k+.</p>

<p>SAT I: 1980</p>

<p>SAT II: Math II, 570. US History, 690. </p>

<p>I plan to retake Math II, but I expect a score in the upper 600s, if not the low 700s. This may conflict with Columbia's ED deadline. I might need to Rush report my scores, then.</p>

<p>GPA: My school has not released mine yet. However, I had an un-weighted GPA of 3.98 at the end of my sophomore year, and I took 2 AP classes during my junior year (a B+ in Chem and an A+ in CS), and a few honors and regular courses with A's. I plan to take 4 AP classes during senior year.</p>

<p>Class Rank: Also not released yet, but certainly in the Top 10% of my class (300+ people).</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities:
Nearly 20 hours per week into Marching Band, which I have done for 5 years (1 yr. in middle school).
Varsity Tennis, which I have done for 3 years.
Varsity Swimming, which I had done for 2 years.
Academic Team (participate in NAQT), 3 years.
Ping-Pong Club, 4 years.
Computer Science Club, 2 years.
I would also consider listing FBLA (3 years), but my school does not do any serious preparation for competitions, and we have almost no accomplishments in recent years. I personally lack any serious accomplishments in our chapter, except competing in the Word Processing and Computer Applications fields.
National Honors Society, 2 years.
Chinese Honors Society: 3 years.</p>

<p>I have no noteworthy Community Service yet.
I was selected for Boys' State 2014, and ran for numerous positions (and failed, every time, at the general elections).</p>

<p>SIDE QUESTION: In total, I have 3 Varsity letters (from Marching Band, Swimming, and Tennis), but is that something even worth mentioning (or would it be assumed)?</p>

<p>The bottom line:
I have below average SAT scores
ECs and GPA/Rank are decent.
I lack volunteer service completely.
My race is a detriment to my chances.
But I do have legacy, and the financial stability to apply Early Decision. </p>

<p>So if I apply ED (with Legacy), will that give me a fighting chance?</p>

2

<p>Chances are low, but if you improve your community service and study HARD for those SAT’s and write stellar essays plus multiple outstanding Letters of Rec., you have a shot</p>

3

<p>Thanks!</p>

4

<p>Everything is great except the standardised test scores. Try to get around a 2200+ and write great essays, you might have a great chance of getting in then.</p>

<p>Reciprocate? Thanks!
<a href=“Chance an International! will do the same back - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1665159-chance-an-international-will-do-the-same-back-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Need about 300 more SAT points to be competitive.</p>

6

<p>Work on your SATs, and probably write a killer essay. Legacy should compensate for some things</p>