Dreaming of Columbia! (Chances)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I've been dreaming of going to Columbia FOREVER, and I had a taste of victory this spring when I was accepted into the Columbia Summer Program for High School Students (under the Business, Finance, and Economics course). My stats and info are below, so PLEASE chance me for Columbia!!! Thanks!!!</p>

<p>Sex: F</p>

<p>School: College Prep (Private)</p>

<p>Class Rank: top 10% (I think 3 out of 90)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.8 weighted</p>

<p>SATs: 780 CR, 770 W, 780 M (should I take them again in oct.?)</p>

<p>AP classes this year: APSpanish, AP BC Calc </p>

<p>Ap classes next year: APEnglish Language, APStat, APPhysics </p>

<p><em>I skipped a year in math, so I am taking AP Calc as a junior</em></p>

<p><em>This year I took the Calc, Lit, and Spanish AP's...thought they went fairly well...4's and 5's let's hope!!!</em></p>

<p><em>My school is the most academically rigorous private school in Maryland, and the administration offers VERY few AP's b/c technically , EVERY class at my school is at the honors level....at least that's the explanation they give us....and we're told that our school has a "very distinguished reputation" with admissions officers....who really knows</em></p>

<p>Awards: Honor Roll every year, Cum Laude Society, Maryland Distinguished Scholar, National Merit Scholar (finalist I think), finished third in Maryland Math League Competition</p>

<p>ECs: Varsity Dance Co. (3 yrs), President and CoFounder of AIDS Awareness (a community service-based student organization), President of Christian Fellowship, Editor in Chief of School newspaper, 1 year of Student Government, President and CoFounder of Nothing But Nets chapter (fundraises for bed nets to stop the spread of malaria in Africa)</p>

<p>Community Service: spent last summer teaching dance to underprivileged girls, this summer will volunteer at the American Red Cross</p>

<p>Also: after returning from NY this summer, I will also have an internship in the finance department of Johns Hopkins Hospital, very strong essay writer, have become very close with two teachers whose recs I know will be very good (and your prof. @ columbia writes you a rec @ the end of the summer program)</p>

<p>This turned out to be wicked long, so thanks if you read this far and PLEASE chance me, good or bad!!!</p>

2

<p>Bump 10char</p>

3

<p>looks like you have as good of a chance as anyone..definitely no need to retake any tests. aside from that, just do a diligent job on the app, and then rest easy knowing that you've done as well you could've.</p>

4

<p>just which exactly is the most pretigious private school in maryland?</p>

5

<p>Sorry eating, can't give away identifying info! :)</p>

6

<p>Don't retest. spend the time you would have spent preparing for the SAT to do things to show that you're passionate about something specific instead of a bunch of vague activities.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the advice! :) Anyone else???</p>

8

<p>i think half of the chance-mes on this forum are by people in "the most demanding/rigorous/challenging school in _<strong><em>". At this rate we are gonna run out of _</em></strong>_s really soon.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
Sorry eating, can't give away identifying info! :)

[/quote]

Trust me, based on the information already presented, an admissions staffer could figure out who you were very, very easily. Besides, your handle probably contains the acronym for your high school. This doesn't require Sherlock Holmes.</p>

<p>The reason we ask is in case any of us went to your particular school, or one very close to it, and can talk about things specifically. For example, when high schoolers mention "an elite public school in the Boston area", I'll usually ask which one, because I have relevant local knowledge.</p>

<p>On the merits of your post you appear to be a very strong candidate. As usual with such situations, it will come down to (1) What your particular focuses are and specifically how passionate you appear to pursue them - the depth rather than the breadth, and (2) Your free writing, both your essay and your why-Columbia blurb.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

10

<p>i attend the same school as the OP, so i can vouch for the rigor of its classes. whether or not it is the most difficult in the state i'm not sure of, though i certainly think it's up there.
incidentally, best of luck to bms2009! i'm sure you can figure out who i am. hopefully i'll see you on campus next fall.</p>

11

<p>I'm not sure why other people don't see the thread in your EC's.</p>

<p>You have two disease-fighting organizations (Malaria and AIDS), and
volunteering at the Red Cross. This says to me that you are interested in
public health. Add to that an internship at the hospital, and I start to see
a focus. </p>

<p>Then I see a bit of student government, an editorship, and an interest in
business, and I think, "This is a kid who isn't just a bleeding heart, she's
interested in learning the organizational and communication skills necessary
to really get things done in this world." Did I sum that up right? What are
your long-term goals?</p>

12

<p>Thanks for such a great post! :)</p>

<p>You did sum it up rather nicely: I intend to double major in international business and international relations, leadership and organization are very important to me, and my involvement with AIDS Awareness/Nothing But Nets/Johns Hopkins is indicative of the fact that helping others and taking an active role in improving the global community are major goals of mine (in fact, I intend to spend a summer with the Peace Corps before I graduate from college). All that said, what do you think my chances are at Columbia and other ivies? THANKS!!!!!!! :) :) :)</p>

13

<p>FYI: (Quoted directly from the website - Peace</a> Corps) </p>

<p>How long do Volunteers serve? Are shorter assignments available?
All Peace Corps Volunteers commit to 27 months of training and service overseas. During this time, you will earn vacation time. The Peace Corps does NOT offer short-term assignments. </p>

<p>:)</p>

14

<p>Columbia doesn't have an international business major, but given your other interests, I think it'll be a great fit! Good luck :)</p>

15

<p>Bump...</p>

<p>I'm sitting in my dorm at the summer program right now and i LOVE it here so now i REALLY wanna know what my chances are!!! ANYONE ELSE?!?</p>

16

<p>Look, we all think your chances are decent. But it's a very competitive process and you'll need to stand out. You've got impressive scores and EC's as well as a diversity of interests. You've got the profile, now you need to show that it's worth something. That's your job. </p>

<p>Use this thread for motivation, don't look to it for flattery :)</p>

17

<p>Bump (10 char)</p>