New here to the college process. Not going to sugar coat it- My son is about a 90 student and got a 1170 on his PSAT in a private catholic school. Hasn’t taken the SAT yet, but is preparing.
He loves Columbia but we are unsure if he could get in. I know they have a very high bar. I’m ready to discount it entirely.
Our Columbia legacy includes his grandfather who is the chair of his department and has been there 40 years. Grandmother is PHD from there. Father is MA. Aunt and uncle have BA.
Is there a chance he could get in on his legacy credentials??
What is Columbia’s policy on legacy? Is it only parents who attended Columbia College? In general a legacy hook may bump a student who is slightly below the norm.
Legacy can provide a bit of help but typically won’t get a student into a college he/she is not otherwise qualified to attend. With an admissions rate of under 6% Columbia is one of the most competitive colleges in the country in terms of admissions. Right now your S’s academic record (while good) is below the typical Columbia accepted applicant. http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/classprofile/2021
When the time comes compare his stats to the class profile and decide if it is worth a shot to apply.
They’ll give him a good look. But you want to learn more about what makes a match, which is beyond stats and a connection. And see if he can get his scores up when he takes the SAT. Their adcoms will know the local high schools well, the rigor available and other opportunities, will want to see he exceeded. They’ll look at the transcript, not just gpa, see that detail.
Most here recommend finding happy safeties, that you can afford.
Totally agree lookingforward. I’m not the kind to put all my eggs in one basket. We have a list of schools of varying acceptance rates in varying tuitions, including the Suny and CUNY system schools. Columbia isn’t his “end all and be all”. That being said getting an education there would be an amazing experience. I’m rational and safe mom-
We are working toward better SAT scores and working with guidance. Thank you to the community here.
One important thing to note - being a 90 student at a private Catholic school could mean a lot of things. He very well could be in the top 2% of his class, or he might be just cracking the top third. Do you have a sense as to his class rank? Does your HS have access Naviance to see how other kids from your HS have done?
I seem to recall that a legacy student’s chances are 2-3 times better than the same-stats student without a legacy. But this may mean his chances go from 5-6% to perhaps 10-18%.
The legacy may help, but it can only so much… A great essay, and stellar rec letters, may very well be enough that combined with the legacy status, will more than compensate for test scores that might be a hair lower than average.
Thank you puppies. He just got started on Naviance so its will be explored. He ranks 42 out of 140. he is a pleasant person, never a discipline issue and well regarded by guidance and teachers, so i know his recs will be good. As stated about i am a realist and understand the complexities of the situation. We are exploring all options top to bottom. We have a guidance appt soon so will discuss this with his counselor. I considered doing an early decision to Columbia and seeing what happened. I do understand the ramifications of that rolling of the dice.
There is a legacy newsletter every year that lists students that have parents who went to Columbia and it includes all of Columbia’s schools so I’m inclined to assume that you would get a legacy bump. However, your son needs to really improve his scores on the SAT because an 1170 on the PSAT will not cut it if it is a representation of his scores on the SAT. Most of the legacies that I meet at Columbia have high stats but are kinda boring as people so I would guess legacy status is a soft factor that probably won’t overcome low stats. Though this is all anecdotal evidence so take it with a grain of salt.
Agree. He is taking a prep class, and i have him taking it in march and may. Then he will take it again in august or October. So i am trying to help him get his sats higher.
So is grandad your or his dad’s father? Neither of you went there? Why not? I ask bc it may be a good story as to why Columbia may not be IT for your son either:).
Wait and see how is SAT turns out. And if not satisfied, try the ACT. There are lots of options in between Columbia and the SUNY system. Is he a sophomore or junior?
Thank you. Hes a junior. Grandad is my husbands father. He didnt do well at all in HS so went to Fordham instead. But my husband did get his MA from Columbia so he improved enough to get there. He is taking act in April.
