<p>So I've been REALLY REALLY wanting to attend Columbia for a while now, since I went on my college tour and visited there.
I am literally obsessed with going and I can hardly think or talk about anything else.
What do I need to get in?
I know that you need high SAT, ACT, SAT Subject tests scores need to be good, but what else?
I will do anything to get in.
The thing is that i just feel like I'm not good enough.
I'm trying to see what I can do to get in.
I'm a rising junior of high school this year.</p>
<p>-Most rigorous course load (All AP/IB/Honors if AP not available)
-High GPA
-ECs that demonstrate a clear passion, not a laundry list. Also need to show leadership.
-Some major awards would benefit
-Excellent recs
-Excellent essays
-Something that makes you distinguished from the applicant pool </p>
<p>And there’s still no guarantee of admission whatsoever.</p>
<p>I’m going to run to become a state representative of a club named BPA (Business Professionals of America) and represent roughly 6,000 people. I would give lots of speeches and interact with many people.
Would this help at all?</p>
<p>worry less about “what will get me into this school” and more about what you really want to be doing. if you throw yourself into something that you really care about and find a way to express that (read: the essays), Columbia will notice. the school doesn’t want someone who’ll do anything to get in, they want someone who is interesting and brings something valuable to the community. schools like Columbia are looking for fit, not a formula. obviously having outstanding grades and scores and recs is a start, but everyone will have those. demonstrating some sort of passion or focus is what will set your application apart from every other applicant with perfect test scores/letters from elected officials/a bunch of awards.</p>
<p>Well I absolutely LOVE New York City.
It’s my home away from home.
I’m planning to write about how I love it and the fast paced lifestyles that everyone seems to live.
I don’t know how to do that with the common app though. When I write my letter wouldn’t all schools see that Im absolutely OBSESSED with New York</p>
<p>No no no
There’s a few things you should never write about for a college app
- The location
- How your grandparent, etc did many great things. And not how you did great things </p>
<p>Talking about NYC isn’t going to land you in the acceptance pile
And I heard about the location essay thing from an info session on campus</p>
<p>Agree with Roxy. Columbia adcoms know they’re located in NYC, and they also know it’s a vibrant city. Kiss of Death essay.</p>
<p>Oh okay, thanks.
But it is what I absolutely love.
Could I write about how I love to present in front of people?
I mean I like to help others, but I feel like that’s too cliche.
I also like painting nails a lot cause I feel like it’s a way to express myself and to relive stress (along with working out).
I mean i like these things, but none of them are exactly college app material.</p>
<p>If you like to present in front of people, start a debate club.
If you like to help others, start a non profit (It’s not too cliche; you can help others in your own creative ways)
If you like to paint nails, then start a nail painting buisness
If you like to work out, then start a free gym for underprivileged, poor kids </p>
<p>These are just examples, do what you love to your fullest extent. </p>
<p>Oh and one more thing, you want to know what it takes to get into Columbia, right? To get accepted, you need to stop trying to do things just because it may look good on college apps. If you do things for college, then you’ll be getting a rejection letter. Do what you love with a passion, it’s that simple and your chances of acceptance increase tremendously.</p>
<p>I did think about a nail painting business and I am in debate club, but thanks so much for all of your suggestions!</p>