Do I have a chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'm applying RD to Columbia. After stalking the ED forums, I became officially paranoid. I know my SAT scores are definitely not up to par. But when I saw people with 2200s and up get rejected....well, I cried (silently in my head, of course. I didn't want my mom to think I'd gone insane, hah!). Anyhow, here are my stats: </p>

<p>SAT: 2040 (CR 650, M 640, W 750)
Rank: Top 1% (number 5 out of approximately 1,000 kids)
Courses: (scores unknown for last 3 tests)
-AP American (4) ---Junior Year
-AP Political Science ---Senior Year
-AP English ---Senior Year
-AP Psychology ---Senior Year
-I've been in a special program in my school which accepts less than 100 students out of 1,000 kids
-All my classes have been Honors
-Two years of Latin (10, 11) - would've taken it senior year as well, but it wasn't offered
-College Level Spanish and Calculus in addition to AP courses for senior year
Extracurriculars: Vice-President of Habitat for Humanity (10, 11, 12); Vice-President of National Junior Classical League a.k.a Latin Club (11, 12); Assistant director for Backstage of Spring Musical (10, 11, 12), Art Club (11, 12), Environmental Club (10, 12), Junior Varsity and Varsity Volleyball team (9, 10, 11, 12)
Honors and Awards: National Honor Society (11, and most likely 12); Magna Cum Laude on National Latin Exam for Year 1 and Year 2 Latin; Latin Honor Society (had to have at least 90 average for full semester); Scholar Athlete (highest average among all athletes in school)
Volunteer Work: Summer Reading Program Volunteer at Public Library, several park/beach clean-ups, Special Olympics Volunteer (9, 10)
Recommendations: Didn't read them, but I trust the teachers and have a close relationship with them, and I know they don't write generic letters
Essays: According to the teachers who read them, they were good
Hook: First generation, low income (not sure if this is a hook)
Intended Major: Undecided, Classics, English </p>

<p>I know my chances for Columbia are basically slim to none. My counselor and one of my teachers who wrote one of my recommendations said that I have a chance, and I want to believe them, but it's just so hard, especially after seeing all those other amazing applicants rejected or deferred.</p>

2

<p>Keep in mind that you’re applying for regular decision, which is less selective (though much more competitive) than ED. That said, I have a few questions. What are your SATII’s? Based on what I’ve seen from the “ED Decisions” thread, Columbia really likes strong SATIIs. Secondly, what is your ethnicity? It affects the admissions committees’ interpretation of your standardized test scores. Finally, what kind of school do you attend? Is it a low-ranked public school, a highly-ranked public school, a private school you’re attending on scholarship? The kind of school determines what opportunities you’ve had in your high school career, which the admissions committee will consider when evaluating your accomplishments. The moral of the story is that everything depends on context.</p>

3

<p>I would say definitely retake the SATs one more time. If you can get one more above 700, it’ll put you in a lot better shape. Your extracurriculars are very strong, though not extraordinary. I agree with pwoods- you need to put down what kind of school you’re attending. Not only will it determine what kind of opportunities you’ve had, but also the value of your high ranking grades. Valedictorians of a lot of schools don’t get into columbia, but the top 25 percent or so of a school like mine usually go to ivies or a school of equivalent prestige. </p>

<p>@pwoods- if regular decision is less selective, does that mean a deferred candidate has a better shot of getting in RD than ED?</p>

4

<p>I go to a highly ranked public school. The Board of Ed says that it’s a “school of a excellence.”</p>

<p>And my SAT IIs aren’t amazing either: US 690, Math I 640</p>

<p>Thanks anyway! :)</p>