<p>So I'm interested in attending Columbia! I heard that Columbia is one of the most diverse schools in the world and that they greatly promote diversity. So would it help my chances of college acceptance there if part I'm part South Asian and part European, given that I also do well academically (4.0 Weighted GPA, 10-12 AP classes, aiming for 2300 SAT, top 5% of class), and do a lot of extracurriculars that are very unique? I tutor to little kids, I play soccer, I came up with a creative idea to increase education and decrease poverty in my state, am in the process of creating Apple Inc. apps related charity and donation, president in Model UN and Secretary in Amnesty Interntional, co-coach for a Church League Soccer Team, apprenticeship at a research lab in a university. Apart from English, I can also fluently speak Polish and an Indian language. I am also going to be in Spanish 5 by the time I'm a senior!</p>
<p>There’s really nothing to say. You’re one story amongst tens of thousands. Will your Polish/Indian backstory catch someone’s attention? Maybe. Maybe not.</p>
<p>Your story is amazing. People (ie T26E4) need to stop with the passive “who cares about your post” attitude. If you don’t have anything helpful/positive to say then don’t say it. </p>
<p>Listen your story is great, and sure your diversity might help if you make it a focal point in an essay and tie it to Columbia’s diversity.</p>
<p>P.S. I’m not trying to start something. It’s just annoying when someone comes on here full of excitement and all they get is a nonchalant, almost condescending, attitude. Remember that we’re all in, or we were all in, the same boat.</p>
<p>Courtney: I find the content in my post to be of value: My point to the OP was that, in the context of a highly competitive pool such as Columbia, the Polish/Indian backstory may not be enough to push him to the top of the pack. That was his question and my opinion on it.</p>
<p>The OP certainly has enough to stand on (transcript and other things) but given the mercurial fashion of top school admissions, unless one’s last name is Kennedy, Gates or Xi (as in president of the PRC) nothing is certain. OP should apply: he’s viable. But more than that is pure speculation. </p>
<p>He’s “amazing” in the general context of HS applicants but not so amazing in the extreme pool of Columbia applicants. I have no doubt that OP will have some great accepts come next April but when you’re aiming at schools of under 10% admit, it’s impossible to “chance” anyone. Again, my opinion – formed from my own admission experiences and my interviewing/recruiting for another Ivy for quite a while.</p>
<p>T26E4: Okay that’s great, and I don’t discredit what you’re saying, but you could have definitely given your opinion in a nicer way. That’s all I’m saying, and like I said earlier I’m not trying to start anything.</p>
<p>You can never say. I think what they look for is what type of community/society you grew up in, and how much you could grab the opportunities around you. It would indeed be stupid to expect someone from Sudan to have been involved in a national level research, but if that person has done something, like been involved in a project like bringing clean drinking water to their community, that would be amazing, considering their circumstances. I know people who got into the Ivy Leagues with their SATs in the 1800s, and the ones with 2200’s rejected, so you can never say. Just apply, and don’t be sad if you get rejected.</p>
<p>I don’t think T26E4’s post was out of line at all. Yes, you should definitely note your ethnic background on your application. Write a personal statement about whatever has impacted your life, whether that’s your heritage or one of your many extracurricular activities. Show what you’re passionate about, research the school, and demonstrate why you’d be a great fit for Columbia.</p>
<p>But keep in mind that something like 93% of applicants are rejected. The odds are insane.</p>
<p>Current Columbia student here. Yes, all else being equal, you have a better chance coming from a racial minority or underprivileged background. That said, I don’t think being Polish and Indian counts, and besides, everyone’s chances are small at any top university. So apply to a bunch of places where you think you could be happy to ensure you have more choices when decisions come in.</p>
<p>Never thought of Indian and Polish as especially diverse. My children are tri-racial, with backgrounds from three continents. Don’t think that will help, although they do self-identify as multi-racial, as you can (Asian and white).</p>
<p>However, if you are truly fluent in three languages: fluent to the extent that you could take high school or college classes in each, not just ask someone how they are doing and say you are fine, that is a plus. </p>
<p>So you probably have a better chance than some, but nothing is a guarantee. There are people with perfect GPAs and SAT scores that are rejected from top schools. Apply to more than one Ivy if you want an Ivy League education.</p>
<p>It’s not uncommon for non-US students to speak 3 or even more languages. For the typical American, it seems otherworldly. For most of the world, it’s common.</p>
<p>The Polish/Indian backstory would not help. But your extra curricula activities are impressive, somewhat unbelievable. How did you find the time to do so? </p>
<p>You can always try! Try your best, you never know… If you get in, then it’s amazing, but if you don’t, don’t let it bring you down and keep trying! Best of luck </p>
<p>can you guys help me out too? i am also interested in applying to columbia as a senior i am a junior now. i am armenian came to america about 9-10 years ago i know how to speak 3 languages russian, armenian, and english will that increase my chances? </p>
<p>this has nothing specifically to do with you, but I know a few ethnically diverse students at Columbia who probably would not have gotten in had they been white (this is not my opinion-this is something they shared with me) so yeah, I would say diversity may increase your chances SLIGHTLY. but try not to use it as a crutch TOO much, or play the “poor me I have faced so much adversity” card. your story is seems very interesting!!!</p>
<p>It’s unlikely for the background to matter as a line on the application but it could matter if you wrote a stunning essay that somehow brought in some aspect of your background in a way that’s compelling. So you must think of how that background actually matters to you, how it has drawn you to whatever you’re passionate about. If you express an interesting, passionate story that makes it clear to AdComs that you add to the Columbia community, it will matter.</p>
<p>At the same time, it’s essential to express your interest in Columbia particularly – and not because it’s an Ivy in NYC. </p>
<p>If you’re sure your family can afford it (the aid is excellent but do run the NPC), then consider applying early.</p>