Current Columbia University student, here to help

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I know exactly how you're feeling right now. And it won't be over for another few very long months. With that being said, I'm here to help. I'm a a current Columbia student, in the College, in the Class of 2017. I'm involved with the Office of Admissions and the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, so I'm in the throes of the process and definitely can answer in questions you have.</p>

<p>If you have any questions about applying, about me, about the school, or about anything, message me or post and we can talk. If you prefer email, message me and I'll give you my Columbia email.</p>

<p>Good luck, guys!</p>

2

<p>Question for you: What is the diversity of the school in terms of what people are studying? I’ve heard that there’s a huge population that goes to consulting or investment banking (graduating and working for McKinsey or something like that), and I’m wondering if there’s a breakdown of people that do that sort of business stuff, and the science-type stuff, so I have a good idea of what the student body is like.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

3

<p>Great question. At first, it’ll seem like ‘Financial Economics’ or ‘Economics’ is the most popular major among the freshman class, however this is because those kids are the ones who are quickest to loudly announce to everyone that they want to work at Goldman Sachs or JP Morgan and they’re going to be insanely rich. </p>

<p>Although there are quite a few students who begin wanting to study Econ, a large number of them drop the major within taking the first couple of classes. It is common, however, for students to slowly migrate from their various majors (PoliSci, Sociology, Math) to working summers and eventually post-grad on Wall Street.</p>

<p>Strictly by the numbers, the Class of 2017 possible major choices pans out like this:
Math and Science: 32%
Arts and Humanities: 20%
Engineering: 23%
Social Sciences: 22%
Undecided: 3%</p>

4

<p>I am a junior and would like to ask several questions about the learning environment at Columbia and admissions?</p>

<ol>
<li>Do classes mostly consist of lectures or discussions? Are they intellecutually challenging and exciting? </li>
<li>Do most students actively participate in discussions? Or do most of them just sit back and hardly pay attention?</li>
<li>How are the students you’ve encountered so far? Do they seem to care about/enjoy learning?</li>
<li>My private school uses a 100/100 GPA scale. I have a combined GPA of 94~ so far; is it high enough?. </li>
<li>I have 3 Bs in my freshmen and sophomore years; will they hurt my chances? The rest of my transcripts are As though.</li>
<li>Is a SAT subject score of 740 too low? From what I’ve heard at CC, most people say that it’s best to get a score of 750+.</li>
<li>I am a Korean and I heard that Columbia has quite a large number of Korean students. I am interested in knowing their admission stats if that’s possible. </li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks in advance. :)</p>

5

<ol>
<li><p>It really depends on the class. More popular/general classes will be lectures, more in-depth classes in specific majors will be lecture-style, but small enough where discussion often talks places, and very niche classes/seminars will be discussion. In addition, the Core classes are all discussions. And yes, the discussions are very challenging and exciting, but it generally depends on the subject matter of the class, time of day, and professor.</p></li>
<li><p>Again, it depends. A large majority of students do speak up, but a larger majority often sit back and wait to speak until something that they are absolutely passionate about comes up. By no means are they boring, they are always engaging and paced well.</p></li>
<li><p>Simply, yes. </p></li>
<li><p>Yes. Other things weigh heavier though.</p></li>
<li><p>Nope. I had 1 C, a few Bs, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>If SATs are your saving grace and sole factor of greatness, yes. The other parts of your application holistically mean more. </p></li>
<li><p>There’s not an singular stat on that.</p></li>
</ol>

6

<p>I have a 680 in CR, and I’m worried I won’t be able to bring it up in October. I’m a pretty well rounded kid (760 and 800 M and W respectively), 3 subject tests above 770, varsity sports, 150+ hours volunteer, vice pres of tri-m and other leadership, almost eagle scout, soloist in my 200+ member marching band…etc</p>

<p>Will that one CR score be enough to put me out of the running?</p>

7

<p>“I’m a a current Columbia student, in the College, in the Class of 2017”</p>

<p>Forgive me for saying this but how can someone who has been on campus for about a month possibly be qualified to answer all these questions about admissions and classes at the school? I don’t know what type of “work” you are doing in the admissions office but it can’t be anything more than clerical. I’m interested in hearing how you answer the question about the 680 in CR. Lastly, if you are billing yourself as an admissions expert after only a few weeks, I can’t wait to read your tell all book in a few years.</p>

8

<p>@Falcon1,</p>

<p>You’re absolutely right! As someone who has been here, I am no means an complete reference for an entire perspective on 4 years at Columbia. However, I can give you my perspectives on what life is like as I see it and have heard from many of my upperclassmen friends. Also, I was ED and have been interested in Columbia for many years, so I do have a vast knowledge on basic info of the school.</p>

<p>As to my work in the admissions office, as a member of the URC our work isn’t clerical. Tours are given, recruitment trips are taking, workshops are given, etc… so before we join the committee we have to spend time training to learn all the extensive background. </p>

<p>Along with that, I spent my last year of high school working on a documentary about the Ivy League admissions process/history based on the book “The Chosen” by J. Karabel, so I gained a little bit of information from that process. </p>

<p>And lastly, both of my parents are professors at Columbia as well as my grandfather, so I’ve been around the institution my entire life. I’m here to help. Nothing I say is absolute, but I am just extending the small bit I know about the University to those who are interested in becoming part of the community!</p>

<p>Thanks for your input though!</p>

9

<p>Okay, sorry if I was snarky before. I was a legacy and a faculty brat as well at another Ivy and I certainly did know a little more about the school than others starting off. Enough to advise others, I won’t presume to say.</p>

<p>All I can say is that when you mentioned that you had a C and a few B’s on your transcript, you probably should have also mentioned that you are a double legacy and the son/daughter of two faculty members. It is certainly not the norm for Columbia to accept students with less than stellar grades who are not hooked in some way.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

10

<p>I’m a British applicant and feel that my extracurriculars are somewhat lacking compared to typical competitive American student. How much sway do they have, and do they need to be so extravagant?</p>

11

<p>@mafrio,</p>

<p>I would say that extracurricular are definitely an important part of any college application. Now, as to their “extravagance” I would say that it’s definitely more important to show deep involvement, passion, and leadership in one defined interest than to have a bunch of involvement in a bunch of differing activities.</p>

12

<p>I enjoy doing a lot of creative writing. How could I factor that into my application?</p>

13

<p>Is Drama & Theater Arts a concentration? I was looking on the Columbia College website and I saw the major information but not anything about a concentration. I really, really want to do a concentration in Drama on top of my major, if that’s possible :(</p>

14

<p>@jw2149: I know this isn’t a chances thread, but you seem to be a great resource. If you don’t mind…</p>

<p>What do you think my chances are?</p>

<p>I’m currently a junior, have an UW 4.0 thus far, about a 4.5 W. (All As so far this year as well)
I attend a highly competitive, large public school in Los Angeles</p>

<p>Have not yet taken the SAT or ACT, but aim to score about 2200 collectively.
Class rank not issued yet, since I’m only a junior, but I am definitely in the top 2%, if not 1%. (out of ~450)</p>

<p>APs:
Human Geo (Freshman Year): 4
World History (Soph.): 5
Environmental Science (Soph.): 5
(This Year): Studio Art, Biology, US History, English Lang, Calculus AB</p>

<p>ECs:
-Yearbook Editor this year and next year, yearbook staff member since 8th grade (my school is from 7th-12th)
-CSF (California Scholarship Federation) member since 9th grade, now a vice president, will be president senior year
-Class Officer member (10th-12th grade), have assumed leadership position as a fundraiser commissioner last year.
-750+ hours volunteering at a library for people with autism and other disabilities (my cousin suffers from autism, developmental issues, and heart defects at birth). Will continue this for years to come.
-Volunteer at a feeding the homeless dinner that takes place every Friday, for two years to date.
-Member of Feminist Club (10th grade to date, + next year)</p>

<p>Awards:
-AP Scholar
-Award in accomplished graphic design at my school (highly competitive)
-Presidential Award for Academic Achievement (certificate signed by Obama, but awarded several years ago; should I include this?)
-National Honors Society Member</p>

<p>Work Experience:
-Clerk at my local public pool for last two summers (paid position)</p>

<p>Columbia has been my absolute dream school for as long as I can remember. I am in love with New York City, and Columbia University. Unfortunately, no hooks. Does being a first-generation college graduate help my chances?</p>

<p>Am I on the right track? Do I need to increase my involvement in other extracurricular endeavors? I don’t want to get my hopes up, but Columbia is literally the only school I would be excited to attend.</p>

<p>Senior Year Course load:
-AP English Lit
-AP Calculus BC
-AP Psych (self-study?)
-Any recommendations?</p>

<p>I value your opinion, and hope to one day be your classmate?</p>

15

<p>CC alum here, few years out, relaxing for a bit. Don’t want to hijack this thread, but feel free to ask me any questions as well. I’m also doing graduate work at Columbia.</p>

16

<p>Hey @jw2149 :slight_smile: So I was wondering about these few things regarding the people/atmosphere of Columbia and I’ll really appreciate it if you can help me out. </p>

<p>My main concern is, how are people and atmosphere at Columbia?
Are the students not snobby?
How is your school spirit?
What do you guys like to do for fun?
Are you guys laid back and chill?</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

17

<p>If one of you could answer my thread I would be more than grateful :slight_smile: </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/1560589-fulfilling-requirements-vs-fulfilling-passion-ivy-top25admissions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/1560589-fulfilling-requirements-vs-fulfilling-passion-ivy-top25admissions.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

18

<p>My daughter can not access her common app. She has reset her password, sent in a help ticket, etc. No luck. She wants to apply early decision ( Nov 1). Will they accept a paper application if the common app can’t fix this glitch? I have noticed a lot of other people having similar problems. What accommodations will Columbia be willing to make?</p>

19

<p>@undktd I suggest you call the admissions office and ask them your questions directly. </p>

<p>You should also continue to be very persistent with The Common Application Help Center. Your daughter doesn’t want to have to send paper copies to all of her RD schools as well if things don’t work out with Columbia.</p>

20

<p>Hey @jw2149
Here are my stats, what do you think. Please note that my school is a little rigorous(which my counsellor will mention in her letter), so my grades may not be comparable to those of your average Indian. Also, since I’m applying for Econ, will my SAT I Math score(650) hurt a lot? Hopefully, I’ll manage a 750-800 in the Math II(we get a ton of prep from our HS education)</p>

<p>SAT 2130(Superscore)- CR: 730 M: 650 W:750
SAT II: Taking Math 2 and Eng Lit in November
TOEFL(Don’t need it, but sending anyway 'cuz yolo): 111/120</p>

<p>School System: CBSE(India)
9th grade: Math(9), Science(8), English(9), Social Studies(9), Hindi(9)
10th grade: Math(8), Science(9), English(9), SST(9), Hindi(9)
11th grade: Accountancy(88.3%), Business Studies(93.6%), Econ(68.6%), Math(55.6%) and English(70.87%)(My counsellor reckons this is a challenging stream)
12th grade: Accountancy(62%), Business Studies(77.5%), Econ(81.5%), Math(trash. less than 11th grade), English (71%)
Predicted scores(for the standardized entrance exam in India): Math(95-100%), English(85+%), Accountancy(90-95%), BS(90-95), Econ(idk, but I’m guessing 90-95)
Rank: Top 5% overall(counsellor’ll mention that), and in both the subjects whose teachers I’m getting recommendations from, academic system is super-rigorous in my particular school. </p>

<p>Work Experience: 2 week internship at a Venture Capital firm, researching markets and investment inroad opportunities. They don’t usually take kids from HS. </p>

<p>Awards
a. Proficiency in Oratory Skills
b. 3xBest Delegates</p>

<p>EC’s</p>

<p>a. Secretary General of an international MUN with about 400 participants. Also managed the largest extra-curricular student community in school(MUN community with 200+ people and a secretariat of 50-odd). Pretty awesome experience.
b. 15 MUNs since 9th grade, including internationals. Won in 13 of those, including 3xBest Delegate(1 international-ILMUNC Beijing). Chaired 2 committees, and my school was ranked one of the top 25 MUNing schools internationally by Best Delegate.
c. Chief Editor, Business Club newsletter. Also took care of organisational aspects in the club. One of the biggest ones in my school, been involved since 11th grade.
d. Student Council</p>

<p>Community Service
a. Taught slum kids after school in 11th grade
b. Week-long sensitization/learning trip to a remote village in mountainous India, organized by an NGO
c. Taught my grandad’s friends how to use computers in 9th grade(every weekend for some 6 months)
d. Wrote exams for handicapped kids in school in 9th, 10th and 11th grade</p>

<p>Essays
Sweet Jesus, I’ve been fretting over these. On my fourth draft now, and just can’t decide how to frame it.
Question: When it asks to “list the books you’ve read”, do you just list them, or will a paragraph naming a few along with concise reasons be better? </p>

<p>Extra Info</p>

<p>ED
Indian
No Fin Aid needed
Econ Major
$200k+(can’t confirm though)
First gen to go to the US for undergrad</p>