<p>Hello, I was wondering if anyone could examine my stats and tell me if I have a good shot of getting accepted into Columbia</p>
<p>I'm taking IB...the following classes will be completed by graduation:
IB Math Methods SL
IB Physics HL
IB Bio HL
IB English HL
IB History HL
IB Psychology SL
IB Spanish SL
IB TOK
AP Calculus</p>
<p>Since the beginning of 11th grade, my grades have been high. I have an average of around 98. 4, unweighted. This will continue until I graduate. </p>
<p>My latest SAT score was low, 1950, but I am really studying vigorously to increase this. I am confident I can get a 2100-2150...maybe higher. </p>
<p>I'm not sure exactly what I would major in...my plans are to become a writer, so would literature be my major or is there a creative writing major?</p>
<p>My EC's are low. I spent most of my free time reading. By the time I send in the app, I can modestly estimate a list of around 60 books I've read.</p>
<p>Also, I just wrote a first draft for my essay. I think it is very good. I'd be willing to PM it to anyone if they wanted to read it and critique. </p>
<p>Thank you all so much. I really appreciate any help.</p>
<p>I don't think you're going to be able to sell constant reading when you have 20/21 SATs. I would apply to Columbia, but you need to show that you can take your passions (reading) and do something with them. Do you write in a school newspaper, magazine, or blog about books? Have you started a club in school along these lines? Your passion certainly seems honest, which is a refreshing respite from the plethora of applicants that simply participate in anything they could possibly be involved in, but there's not much on paper that you could put down right now. Below-average chances at Columbia.</p>
<p>Thank you. I really appreciate the honest responses. </p>
<p>In addition to what I have stated above, I recently learned I will most likely enroll in either the Columbia, NYU or Univ of Cambridge precollege program. The two classes I choose will be creative writing, and either a literature or political course.</p>
<p>Given the additional time during the summer, I am certain I can increase my SAT scores to 2200, if that is what is believed to be necessary.</p>
<p>Also, I will sign up for the SAT II tests. I believe I would do best taking Literature, Math Level 2 and Physics. Is there a certain SAT II one would recommend or should I just choose the three subjects I excel at?</p>
<p>One more thing :) Regarding ECs-I've been considering joining the school newspaper club, (but to be completely honest, I'm a bit shy and not really sure how to go about inquiring of it) I'm not really sure how effective the remaining months left of school would be, before I apply early to Columbia, that is. Is it worth it? I actually really want to write a short story after I finish the precollege program. Is this better? Should I do both?</p>
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Regarding ECs-I've been considering joining the school newspaper club, (but to be completely honest, I'm a bit shy and not really sure how to go about inquiring of it) I'm not really sure how effective the remaining months left of school would be, before I apply early to Columbia, that is. Is it worth it?
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<p>So, really, all you've done is..........read.......that's pathetic. That doesn't even count as an EC. And 60 books isn't even that much, I've probably read more than that! What the **** have you been doing with the rest of your time?</p>
<p>Plus, not having any EC's in your entire high school career and being too scared to ask about the school newspaper isn't "a bit shy." That's absolutely ridiculous. Of course it's worth it.</p>
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I am certain I can increase my SAT scores to 2200
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<p>That's a big jump. You better be pretty certain. </p>
<p>Getting into college is not just numbers. If you're going to leave the activities section of your applications blank, you need to have a bigger academic base than that (I mean a lot bigger). Columbia is not going to see 2200 and automatically accept you, especially when it's very likely that the applicant before you and after you will have a higher score.</p>
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If you get that SAT score to 2200+ and do well on 2-3 sat 2's and you'll have a fair chance.
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<p>Forgetting something?</p>
<p>Do you want to PM me your essay? I'll read it! But, since I just bombed your thread, I'll understand if you don't want me to.</p>
<p>Well, it's not like I have done nothing. Maintaining my grades with all the IB courses I take is not easy. It requires 3-4 hours a day on weekdays plus probably the same on weekends. It is not like I come home each day and watch television. </p>
<p>I am part of one club called quizbowl. Essentially, it is a jeopardy-like trivia competition within my area. We are undefeated at the moment and may possibly move into the county finals, I believe.</p>
<p>And yes, I'll PM you the essay. But I'd appreciate it if you were less harsh, so as to not overly criticize my paper and destroy my ego. Please keep in mind it is only my first draft, and I plan on spending much more time on it before I submit it.</p>
<p>Well yes, maintaining good grades under the IB curriculum isn't easy. But there are loads of people who juggle the IB with great ECs. You're still a junior; try to participate in more ECs.</p>
<p>Can somebody explain to me how there are so many people on CC who have unbelievable GPAs but low SATs/SAT IIs? I mean, at my school, it's nearly impossible to have a flawless GPA and intense competition drives down rank so much that some students have >2300 SATs while being outside of the top group of elite students (like me :(). Do colleges account for this?</p>
<p>I'm in your boat as well, and I'm sure colleges use academic rigor, SAT I's, GPA, rank, and SAT II's in tandem to get an idea of your academic qualifications. The SAT's are the only hard data colleges have, and they become more and more important every year, as increasingly competitive high schools do really wacky things with rank and GPA (just look around this site for examples). I'm sure adcoms are experienced enough to be able to analyze all of those numbers effectively. And again, top schools say that 50-75% of their applicants are academically qualified, and the group is whittled down with EC's, recs, essays, and sheer luck.</p>
<p>"Can somebody explain to me how there are so many people on CC who have unbelievable GPAs but low SATs/SAT IIs?"</p>
<p>---some schools are very very easy to do well in. colleges DO take into account where you're coming from. azn&proud, youre from princeton which i KNOW is a really competitive school/area (im from south jersey), so i know its nearly impossible to have above...say...a 4.6 or something. but yea, i totally agree. i have a sneaking suspicion that half the people on this site arent telling the whole truth, especially considering those that practically have 5.0 GPAs and get less than 2200s.</p>
<p>Being that this is on my post, I have to assume that you are referring to me.
Just a simple question: What could I possibly gain from lying? Satisfaction on a message board? If that was so, I would have lied about my ECs, SATs and everything else so everyone could say I'd get into Harvard. These are my grades. They are not fabricated in any way.</p>
<p>I am enrolled in a very competitive high school, #42 on Newsweek's Top 100 List. The truth is I work hard for my grades, they would not be attainable without the studying I do. I know that. But I believe that the SAT will have similar results when I apply the appropriate time. </p>
<p>Please do not accuse me of lying. It is slanderous and degrading.</p>
<p>No I am really not referring to your post! Really...this post seemed truthful to me. I was simply responding to a question someone posed. But really, a lot of (but certainly not all) of the posts in this section have many fabrications- I personally find it surprising how some other posters GPAs through the roof could have such surprising SAT scores. This really was not a personal insult...however, I can see how it was perceived that way.</p>
<p>PS. I understand the competitive nature of your school. My school is the same way (though it didn't make Newsweek's list...). I'm just saying that colleges certainly take this into account (so a B from a really good school equates to more than an A a low-caliber school).</p>