Columbia University

I was wondering if anyone could chance me on being accepted to Columbia University. I am openly gay and intend to write about this on my application. I am currently a white male high school junior. I have a 4.0 GPA at a fairly non-competitive high school. I have placed on the state level in the Tennessee Math Teachers Association once and at the regional level thrice. I am actively involved in my school’s Model United Nations club and Mu Alpha Theta (Math Club). I play trumpet in both marching and concert band and made the all-state band last year as a sophomore, and I suspect I will make it again this year and next year. My composite ACT is only a 31, but that was my sophomore score and I intend to raise that this year, and I’m taking the SAT in December. I took the SAT II for Math I and made a 770 and US History and made a 780. I have made 5’s on all four AP exams I have taken so far and plan to have two more at the end of this year. Assuming I am accepted, I will be attending the Governor’s School for Scientific Models and Data Analysis this summer. With all these qualifications, could someone help me get a more comprehensive understanding of my chances of being accepted?

Overall you are doing fine so far, however, you need to aim for very high SAT/ACT scores! I say to the range of 2300+/35+ In order to have a realistic chance.

You should think about retaking ACT and aiming for a 33. you could get in with a 31 (it’s been done many times) but it can’t hurt to have higher scores. With your essay, you can write about being gay, but make sure the essay says something meaningful about you (more than just being gay). Show how you embrace your true self, or how you stayed strong during a hard time. They might be turned off by your application if they think you are trying to use your sexual orientation to gain admission without there being a true purpose behind it. I would also think about taking the Math 2 subject test. You have solid extracurriculars, assuming you are applying to major in a science/math. I’ll be a freshman at Columbia in the fall. message me if you have any more questions! :slight_smile:

You are doing fine but can you do some community hours? You still have time. Be more involve in ur community. Cuz It seems that u don’t have service hours.
And yes your ACT should be +33, If you get a 34/35 then that’s AWSOME. And SAT should be +1500( new sat)