Do I have any chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I've recently decided that I've very inclined to apply to Columbia, but do I have any chance of getting in? I know there's no definite way to determine whether or not I'll be accepted, but I feel that hearing from actual Columbia students would help give me a idea at least. :)</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>Weighted GPA: 4.625 (currently but will be raised because I'm taking 2 more AP classes this year)</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.85</p>

<p>Currently ranked number 8 in a class of 507</p>

<p>I've taken all honors (except classes like Spanish where you can't take honors at my school) and by the time I graduate, I will have taken 5 AP classes (including taken AP Senior English [or AP English Literature] in my sophomore year.) I will also have taken Statistics and Life Management Skills at a community college.</p>

<p>AP Scores:</p>

<p>AP English Literature - 5
AP English Language and Composition - 5
AP U.S. History - 5</p>

<p>SAT I score was 800 Writing, 740 Critical Reading, and 600 Math (overall, 2140), but I'm retaking it in November.</p>

<p>SAT II - U.S. History (710); taking Literature in October (expecting high 700's or an 800)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>1.) Scriptwriting (created and have been writing scripts for an original television series for the past 6 years, began scriptwriting when I was 8 for a different original series)</p>

<p>2.) Creative writing (written at least seven novellas, five short stories, and one in-progress novel)</p>

<p>3.) Playwriting (one play written)</p>

<p>4.) Songwriting (have a small portfolio of lyrics I've written over the past four years)</p>

<p>5.) Poetry (larger portfolio of poetry I've written)</p>

<p>6.) Affinity Independent Film Company (freshman - senior year)
-Acting (starred in one full-length independent film and a cameo in another)
-Cinematography (two full-length independent films)
-Creative consulting (three full-length independent films)
-Directing (one short film)
-Writing (one short film and another in-progress feature-length)</p>

<p>7.) Animation Appreciation Club (freshman - senior year)</p>

<p>8.) Newspaper Club (freshman year)
-Staff writer for the school newspaper</p>

<p>9.) Senior Class Council (senior year)</p>

<p>Community Service:</p>

<p>1.) Drama-coaching middle school students for play productions for two summers (35 hours)</p>

<p>2.) Assisting teachers and students at an elementary school (about 200 hours)</p>

<p>3.) Participated in two episodes of a local television program called "Today's Family" as a guest speaker (5 hours)</p>

<p>4.) Junior Honor Guard <a href="10%20hours">top 10 students, assisting with graduation ceremony and senior banquet</a></p>

<p>Special Events:</p>

<p>1.) Junior Honor Guard</p>

<p>2.) Won third place in Voice of Democracy competition</p>

<p>3.) Won local poetry competition four times</p>

<p>Not sure if it makes a difference, but I would be a Film major.</p>

<p>I think that's about it. I feel I may be forgetting something, but...anyway, I'd really appreciate any feedback about my chances of getting in and any advice you have to offer! Thank you so much for your time. :)</p>

2

<p>Anyone? Any feedback/advice would be much appreciated. :)</p>

3

<p>hmm. when you say full length independent films, do you mean legit imdb’ed sundance contender types? if so, im seriously impressed–acting in one of them, cinematography on two…that’s really great. same with the tv series- one on tv?
also, columbia doesnt have any production classes for undergrad…it seems like youd be into that aspect of film.</p>

<p>edit: my goodness, you are prolific.</p>

4

<p>Thank you! But no, they weren’t Sundance contenders or anything; our company worked very hard on them, but they weren’t submitted to festivals. Instead, we did showings where people’s ticket costs were donated to the Invisible Children Association. </p>

<p>And the TV show isn’t on the air because it’s an actual dramatic, fictional series (and I’m sure you know how difficult it is for minors–and even for industry professionals!–to get their series on the air.) </p>

<p>Do you think that my EC’s are still impressive? Also, do you think I should specifically state that the films are non-profit and that–for the TV series–I have a treatment and 15 full-length scripts (about 80 pages in length each) but that it’s not on the air? Or will it really make a difference?</p>

5

<p>It really isn’t about the status of your achievements, but how they reflect who you really are. I hope that isn’t too abstract. What you need to do is show how all of these things tie together to demonstrate how you are a creative individual. </p>

<p>As far as having a chance, everyone has a chance. You probably have better chances than most. Just know yourself, and write you, and you’ll be fine.</p>

6

<p>Thanks so much, Aristororty! :)</p>