Do I even have a chance at Columbia's school of Arts?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

Hi,

So I am really thinking about applying to the Columbia school of arts. I’ve visited it twice, and it’s been my dream school since 8th grade. I am a junior, and I am a very avid photographer and filmmaker. I want to major in photojournalism. But I honestly don’t think I have a chance. I’m going to give my extra curricular stats, and then my academic stats and you guys decide, because I don’t want to waste money on an application if there’s no point.

Extracurricular:

I’ve been featured CNNs weather front page

My film was featured on a broadcast of CBS news

An article about one of my films was in Outdoor magazine

I have won the 500px.com Editors Choice Awards

I’ve worked an Oscar winning director on a film, and had my footage in it.

I was a finalist (one of 9 out of almost 100,00 people worldwide) in the Sony world photography awards

My work was on display at the Somerset House in London and the Dallas museum of art

I was featured on CNN travel for my landscapes

I got a perfect score for my photo in the VASE competition

I won the National geographic youth my shot photo of the year (10 out of 10000s)

200,000 views on photography overall. 50,000 on my films.

I run my own business selling prints and stock footage. I make good money, and I do everything my self, I have 100s of clients worldwide.

I’ve shot for big companies (universal music group, Def Jam music group, children’s hospital, etc.)

I’ve Pioneered new techniques of landscape photography processing

I started a local art collective house, and I manage several people as we create stuff.

I’ve Taught online courses on filmmaking techniques. I have over 100k views on my tutorials and techniques.

I’m an active participant in Academic Decathlon, UIL Science competition, and National Art Honor Society

I’m in NHS

I’m going to San Diego for one month to do a research internship at a cancer lab.

I run a relatively popular street fashion blog (lol).

And I hope to achieve many more things in the next few months, I have lots planned for my photography, and I think I’m going to take my stuff to another level.

Academic:

I was rank 33 out of 530 in my class, with a 3.95 unweighted GPA. I’ve only taken AP classes. I had good grades (91 and above, and I have 6 AP classes this year). But 2nd semester junior year is killing me due to a lot of problems I’ve been having at home. I’ve been very preoccupied. The year’s not over, but I’m going to have quite a few Bs on my transcript for this semester, and my rank is definitely going down to like the 40s-50s. My SAT scores so far have been around 2150. I’m shooting for 4s and 5s on my AP tests. I’m half white/half indian, and I have pretty severe ADHD. My ADHD has been a huge obstacle in my schooling, and I definitely could’ve done better had I been medicated.

Let me know what you guys think. And if Columbia isn’t an option, where should I apply?

2

Also I forgot to add, but second semester this year I was the primary care giver to my grandmother who was sick with terminal brain cancer. I missed school a lot and never had time to do homework because of the fact that I was caring for her and driving her to appointments. Not sure if this helps my application, but it might be relevant.

3

I think you have a chance. You’re really talented. Maybe this year you should go into the NatGeo and other competitions you listed another time. Maybe you’ll win! You have really good ECs, like you’re not just in a bunch of different clubs. And you don’t sound mediocre at all. On paper you sound really interesting, which is vital for ivy applications

4

@plainpotato Thanks! I’m just really worried about all the Bs I’m going to have this semester. It seems like that’s really going to hurt my chances even though I did well for the rest of high school.

5

The School of the Arts is a graduate school of Columbia University. You are not even eligible to apply without a bachelor’s degree. For the liberal arts, direct yourself to Columbia College or Columbia GS.

Consider NYU.

6

To clarify, Columbia’s School of the Arts would award a MASTER’S degree. The School does NOT award bachelor degrees for those who have just graduated from high school.

That being said, Columbia College and the School of General Studies do offer the undergraduate major of “Film and Media Studies,” but it is largely theoretical, and you would not be admitted to this program as a freshman. Instead, you would have to declare at the end of sophomore year.

7

@veritaslux777 so basically I would be applying to the same school as everyone else and my photography skills would have no weight?

8

I wouldn’t go as far to say it holds no weight. It would be an extra-curricular activity/interesting skill that would benefit your application, of course.

That being said, their focus would be on your academics and your ability to thrive in a liberal arts college (since that is the school you are applying to). Remember, you are applying to the liberal arts college (majors in Math, Psychology, English, History, etc.) – not the School of Arts.

Again, keep in mind that the undergraduate major of “Film and Media Studies” is largely theoretical relative to other schools. I don’t want you to be disappointed by the lack of practical, hands-on experience that may be provided at other schools.