Columbia University, NYU, others

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

HYPOTHETICAL APPLICATION

Interested major: Economics

I’m a junior right now.

GPA after first marking period of Senior year:
3.67-3.72 - Unweighted (my school doesn’t do weighted GPAs)
It’s more of the “gradual improvement” kind of transcript. My school doesn’t do rankings.

AP/College-level classes and known scores received:
Sophomore year: AP Calculus AB (5), AP Physics 2 (3), AP Macroeconomics (5)
Junior year: AP English Language & Composition, AP Microeconomics, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, SUPA Financial Accounting
Senior year: Calculus III, AP Statistics, (Portfolio Management/Derivatives trading, idk if they’re “college level” though), SUPA English, AP US History

Let’s say that my Common Application essay (and other supplementary essays) are good, because I know I’ll put a lot of time into crafting it.

Teacher recommendations:

  1. Business major teacher - Let’s say she writes a stellar letter of recommendation
  2. Chemistry or Calculus teacher - Let’s say he/she writes a decent letter of recommendation

Extracurricular:
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Since Freshman year. Won multiple awards at conferences. Secretary-General (their equivalent of President) during Senior year.

STUDENT COUNCIL
Since Freshman year. Vice President during Senior year.

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA
Co-founded during Junior year, and treasurer during junior year. President during Senior year.

I am an Asian male, and my family is from China. I am the first child in my family to be born in the United States, although I won’t be the first one in my family to go to college.

One of my parents works at one of the bottom universities.

I’m NOT applying for need-based or merit-based financial aid, but I might apply for some scholarships (not affiliated with colleges), IF I’m applying through EA/ED. But for purposes of simplicity, just assume that I can pay for tuition and I won’t be needing aid from the college.

Please let me know what you think of the result if I applied to the bottom universities using the listed program(s):

  1. Princeton University: EA
  2. Columbia University: ED
  3. NYU: ED and RD
  4. NYU Stern: ED and RD
  5. UMich: RD
  6. Other good liberal arts schools with economics major: RD

Thanks in advance!

2

ACT / SAT Scores?

3

You are a competitive applicant. Try getting your GPA up. With a 33+ on the ACT or a 1500+ on the SAT with two 700s+ on SAT subject tests, your stats are good. Try adding another EC that conveys your interest in economics and business. Perhaps try launching a business, or work in a retail shop this summer, or find a professor who you can help conduct economic research for. With great essays you could get accepted to any of these schools

4

Hey guys, sorry for forgetting to write in my SAT scores. Here are them:

1600 Point SAT, RWE/M

December 2017: 760/730 = 1490
March 2018: 740/790 = 1530
When I apply to colleges, the admissions officer (at most colleges I’m interested in) should only see a 1550, as that is my super-scored SAT score.
I don’t know if I should reach higher and do an ACT, but so far, a 1550 is okay.

I haven’t done any SAT 2s yet, but I intend on doing so in the upcoming test dates and, just for the purposes of this hypothetical application, let’s say that I took Math 2 (the advanced one) and Chemistry (and maybe another ‘lighter’ one if college applications requires it) and I scored at least a 780 on each.

5

Agree with previous user. You need to get your GPA up to have a better shot.

6

You can only apply ED one place (maybe two if they have ED2) and Princeton has restricted EA.

1 Like
7

GPA prob too low for Columbia and Princeton. NYU maybe a shot.

8

Since you are applying for Econ on NYU that would be CAS, so I would say you have a good chance at NYU, probably a match.
My thoughts:

  1. Princeton University: EA Reach (GPA)
  2. Columbia University: ED Reach (GPA)
  3. NYU: ED and RD Match (If you’re applying to CAS, Liberal Studies Program, or Tandon)
  4. NYU Stern: ED and RD Reach (GPA)
  5. UMich: RD If you are from Michigan High Match, if not Reach

I would consider adding more schools to your list. While a high 3.6 GPA is decent, it is normally not good enough for ivies, but you can get into top 20 schools, as your GPA is in the high 3.6’s-3.7s I would consider adding some more schools because as I see it NYU is your only match.

Nevertheless, you are competitive for most schools and would be surprised if you didn’t get into a top 20-50 school.