Do I have a shot here?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I know no one on here can really evaluate my "chances". But am I moving along the right track?</p>

<p>African-American female
Small Town, Georgia
ACADEMICS
GPA: 3.857 UW 4.295 W hardest course load with 7 APs by graduation
SAT: CR: 660 M: 590 W: 700
(retook in Oct. and hoping and praying for a 1300+ cr+m)
SAT II: Biology: 760 U.S. History: 760 Literature: 610
AP: Biology: 5 U.S. History: 5 World History: 5</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Book Club -President and Founder
-Members meet monthly to discuss a book
-Hosted creative writing contest for three years at two local elementary schools.
-Participated in Reader’s Rally</p>

<p>Church-Assistant Sunday school teacher
-Helped the lead teacher put together weekly lessons for four through six year olds
-Aided children in completing written and oral activities</p>

<p>Library Youth Volunteer
-Shelved and organized library books
-Helped during special vacation summer reading programs (parties, puppet shows, etc.) </p>

<p>Emory University School of Medicine Summer Science Camp
-went freshman year and learned more about biology after hon. bio </p>

<p>National BETA Club
-members must maintain a 90 academic average</p>

<p>National Honor Society
-members must maintain a 93 academic average</p>

<p>Spanish National Honor Society-members must have maintained at least a 90 average in three honors level Spanish classes
Regional Spanish Honor Society
-Spanish students across county with a 95 average in at least three honors level Spanish classes are nominated to be inducted </p>

<p>Elementary Spanish Immersion Program (September 2007-present)
-teach Spanish to first through fifth graders at elementary school twice a week
-developed a six-week Spanish lesson plan, where students learn Spanish words that fit a certain theme each week (ex: foods, numbers, greetings, body parts, etc.)</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE
District Attorney’s Office-Intern [Unpaid]
-Performed Executive Duties (filed papers, made copies, etc.)
-Gave my opinion to attorneys on particular cases
-Observed various court proceedings and learned more about the legal career</p>

<p>Doctor's Office-File Clerk
-Performed executive duties </p>

<p>ACADEMIC HONORS
Academic Excellence in Honors Language Arts
Academic Excellence in Business Law
Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System Youth Volunteer of the Year nominee
Georgia Governor Honors Program Nominee in Social Studies
Honorary Mention in Laws of Life Essay Contest
Columbus State University Spanish Vocabulary Bee First Place Winner
Daton Community College Oral Spanish Contest Second Place Winner Semifinalist for Discovery Tribute Scholarship Award
AP Scholar</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
WORK EXPERIENCE
District Attorney’s Office-Intern [Unpaid]</p>

<p>. . . </p>

<p>-Gave my opinion to attorneys on particular cases

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yikes. You have likely either grossly exaggerated what you did or perhaps committed a crime.</p>

3

<p>It wasn't official or anything. One of the lawyers asked me to let her know how I would approach a battery case involving an old man. Nothing is exaggerated on my list of EC's. Exaggerating is pointless and dishonest. Anyway can anyone let me know what they think?
Thanks!</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
Yikes. You have likely either grossly exaggerated what you did or perhaps committed a crime.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Lol, you crack me up.</p>

5

<p>The attorney was likely humoring you. Whether exaggerated or not it certainly sounds exaggerated and would be best left off any application.</p>

<p>Yes, you have a chance. I worry, however, about that SAT Lit. score, since one of your main activities involves a book club.</p>

6

<p>yeah, the only thing holding you back are your SATs. I don't usually say that - I generally think they're overrated - but it's the only incongruent part of your application. Everything else is the profile of a typically successful applicant to an elite school - you seem to have genuine passion for a few things and have pursued those deeply and in several areas. You also bust arse on your academics.</p>

<p>If you get a 1350 from your october exam, you could go ahead and ED. But how have you been scoring in your practice tests? Do you read the NYTimes every day to boost your higher-end vocab? How IS your math problem-solving ability, anyway? Give us a sense of how well that SAT score reflects the underlying mental skills it's trying to test.</p>

7

<p>You look pretty good to me. Hopefully, your October SAT will bring that score up. ... Are you wedded to the idea of Columbia? There are many top LAC's and universities that would love to have you on board!</p>

8

<p>Gatsby, yeah my lit score sucks. after taking US History & Biology I was burnt out, but I don't plan on retaking because Columbia and many other of my prospective schools (except Princeton and Georgetown) require 2.</p>

<p>Denzera, I have been scoring between 2000-2050 on my practice test, but we'll see on Thursday... I used PR and the Blue Book to study. I am an avid reader, but I usually stick to historical fistion. I am reading Madame Bovary right now. Math is my real problem, but I practiced during the summer aand fall, so we I hope my math score improved. Thanks for the concern.</p>

<p>Hindoo, no lol I am not wedded to Columbia. I am applying EA to other schools, and fin aid is imperative so I am not applying ED. I just posted this because I will be sending off my RD and EA applications around the same time.
Also planning to apply to:
Boston College
UChicago
UGA
GA State
Yale
Princeton
Penn
American
Georgetown
George Washington
Do you guys thnk this is too much?</p>

9

<p>any other thoughts guys?</p>

10

<p>Have you looked at Carleton?</p>

11

<p>Carleton is fantastic academically like the others listed but it's a very different environment: less than 2,000 students, college not university, a different but still wonderful social life</p>

12

<p>I think you have good chances. If you bring up your math SAT you will be pretty competitive.... but Columbia doesn't care all that much about SAT scores anyway. I literally just came back from a visitation program at Columbia and I spent two days with several admissions officers. They expressed that they realized that there is a much stronger correlation between GPA and success in college than SAT scores and success in college. Columbia wants vibrant, passionate kids who are academically successful and question everything around them, and the SAT doesn't really show who those kids are. I wouldn't worry about people telling you your scores will stop you from getting in. I met people at Columbia who had fairly low SAT Scores (<1900 some <1800), but made up for it with good GPA and appealing character. Try to emphasize your character in the application. I think your stats are good enough for Columbia, but that wont be enough to get in. Write good essays that show that you are passionate about something and make sure you have good recs.</p>

13

<p>No I haven't looked at Carleton. Is it in or near an urban area? I based most of my college list on 5,000-10,000 students and in or near an urban area. Also a strong core curriculum was important.</p>

<p>alessandro, Yeah I will try to emphasize my passion for reading. My main essay is pretty different.</p>

14

<p>Carleton is in a small (but charming) town, and about 40 miles from Minneapolis. My daughter thought she wanted an urban or near-urban school, but fell in love with this one on a visit and has had no cause to regret it. ... As for size, Carleton's probably too small for what you're looking for. Best of luck in your college search!</p>

15

<p>Update!</p>

<p>Just got Oct. SAT
Critical Reading: 730
Math: 590 (yeah pretty stagnant..)
Writing: 700</p>

16

<p>You're black and you live in a small Georgia town. Sorry to be blunt, but your chances have just increased two-fold...I wouldn't worry. Don't ever forget about the affirmative action stance most colleges have taken...especially Ivies.</p>

17

<p>good list of colleges. i'm still not sure if your chances applying RD to columbia are that far above average - i.e., instead of 8.9%, you may have a 10-15% chance, but it's far from a 40-50% chance.</p>

<p>You sound like an applicant with varied interests and passions though, so i'm sure you'll be a big asset wherever you go.</p>

18

<p>wow thanks for the responses guys! I guess I'll just have to wait it out.</p>

19

<p>Wait.........your math SAT is trite low.</p>

20

<p>your best shot would be to apply early to columbia if you want to get in with your stats. i could actually see you getting in early. </p>

<p>RD would be a complete crap shoot. RD acceptance rates are insanely low.</p>