ED at Columbia or UPenn? (advice/chance me, thanks!)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I flew out a couple weeks ago to visit both campuses and though I did like UPenn, I was blown away by Columbia. I know I'd love it in New York City, and I liked the idea of Columbia's Core curriculum. Though my first choice is Columbia, my dad is thinking that I should apply Early Decision to UPenn instead because UPenn has a higher acceptance rate. </p>

<p>Any tips/advice/experiences would be appreciated, thank you!</p>

<p>(I've also included my stats in case you have time to chance me on Columbia, UPenn, Tufts University, UCLA & UCBerkeley.) </p>

<p>SAT: 2020; CR - 710, W - 650, M - 660 (scores from my second time taking it)
SAT Subject: U.S. History - 740, Literature - 700, Math II - 600
ACT: 31; English - 35, Math - 26, Reading - 36, Science - 25, Writing - 10/12</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.8, Weighted GPA: 4.4
Rank: 6th out of about 230</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Freshman Year -
Honors English - A
Honors Geometry - A
Honors Biology - A
Health & Geography - A
Spanish I - A
String Orchestra - A
Track & Field - A</p></li>
<li><p>Sophomore Year -
Honors English - A
Honors World History - A
Honors Algebra II - B
Chemistry - A
Journalism - A
Track & Field/Cross Country - A
Spanish II (taken at community college) - A</p></li>
<li><p>Junior Year -
Honors Trig/Pre-Calc - B
Honors Physiology - A
AP U.S. History - A, 5 on exam
AP English Comp. - A, 5 on exam
Journalism - A
Spanish III (taken at community college) - A</p></li>
<li><p>Senior Year -
AP English Lit.
AP Gov. & Econ
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics
Journalism
BioEthics</p></li>
<li><p>Leadership - </p></li>
<li><p>Founding member of, and two year Editor in Chief of, nationally award-winning online newspaper The Foothill Dragon Press.</p></li>
<li><p>One of twelve students selected to serve on national commission, 45words, to help student journalists to fight censorship and raise awareness about the First Amendment.</p></li>
<li><p>Treasurer of Speech & Debate, managing all the cost and cash for tournaments.</p></li>
<li><p>Co-President of Political Awareness club</p></li>
<li><p>President & founder of Chess club</p></li>
<li><p>Representative for Key club</p></li>
<li><p>Community Service - </p></li>
<li><p>Helping elderly with house and yard work through Caregivers.</p></li>
<li><p>Helping disadvantaged students with their writing skills, looking to set up an online site for them this coming year.</p></li>
<li><p>As their communications intern, I wrote & designed a book for local Make-A-Wish chapter featuring children they have helped.</p></li>
<li><p>Awards - </p></li>
<li><p>Best News Story 2011 Quill & Scroll Award</p></li>
<li><p>Honorable Mention for News writing at National Journalism Convention (JEA).</p></li>
<li><p>Awarded Best News Story and 2nd Place for Best Series by county newspaper</p></li>
<li><p>Semifinalist in debate at Fullerton University's invitational tournament.</p></li>
<li><p>Finalist in interpretation at " "</p></li>
<li><p>Semifinalist in debate at California Lutheran's invitational tournament.</p></li>
<li><p>First place in interpretation at " "</p></li>
<li><p>First place in debate at state qualifying tournament</p></li>
<li><p>Top 20 Public Forum debate teams at California state tournament.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Random: I've been playing the violin for the past 6 years, and am an avid writer (I've got folders of poetry and short stories to prove it.) </p>

<p>I know this was a long post, thank you in advance for responses!</p>

2

<p>Do you have any hooks?</p>

<p>What is your race, sex, state?</p>

3

<p>I think the journalism would be my hook. I’ve also lived abroad for a large part of my life, and my parents are leaving the States this year to work in the Middle East, so I will be living practically on my own (my grandmother lives in town though). I’m from California, white and female.</p>

4

<p>Hook is something that gives you an advantage in admissions (minority, legacy, first generation etc).</p>

<p>Your scores are a bit low for Ivy league. There are definitely more seats at Penn but they are specific to each school since they are distributed among 4 schools vs 2 at Columbia.</p>

<p>Living abroad might help you a bit if you can write great essays about your experiences.</p>

5

<p>Your scores are low for UPENN, but your passion for journalism might get you in, given your essays are appealing to the adcoms. Good luck! :)</p>

6

<p>honestly your scores are a little low for Penn and Columbia. I think, honestly, you should consider Northwestern Medill for jouralism over these too. Its a little more likely and has a great journalism network/ program.</p>

7

<p>Like others have said, scores are low for Penn/Columbia. Any chance of re-taking?</p>