<p>hey thanks for looking at this i really appreciate it! I've been really stressed by this whole college thing for some time. like you have no idea how much ive been stressed, but anyway im really interested in columbia. I know my SAT/ACT and GPA scores are bad. Anything else I can work on?</p>
<p>GPA: 3.5 unweighted 3.65 weighted
ACT: 25 (retaking)
SAT: 1830 (retaking)
Should get good recs and should write a great essay</p>
<p>ECS
-founded my own business which works with Amazon.com in book sales and distribution
-I love trading stocks and started when I was in grade school
-often talk about starting a business and the importance of academics to kids in underdeveloped communities (having been doing this on a regular basis for 2 years now) through a group that links business leaders to youth.
-berekly model UN
-summer at brown econ class
-taking two college classes at local community college
-work at local store for 10hrs/week
-Vice President (10,11) President (12) of a the teen advisory board which acts as a liaison between teens and the city council</p>
<p>Background:
- I now attend a very prestigious school in a very affluent neighborhood, however I came from a grade school that did not prepare students for this type of a challenging academic atmosphere. It was a fight to be able to go to the high school I do now, but I have always had the dream of attending a great college.
-I went through difficult transitional periods my frosh and soph years but beginning 2nd semester sophomore year have taken the hardest course load and have done extremely well.</p>
<p>Im a hispanic californian and would not need financial aid. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Absolutely need to get those SATs up at the very least above 2000 and dont forget about SAT IIs. You have good ECs and if your academic record has improved as you say it did that should make up for a low gpa. I dont know about your argument concerning your grade school not preparing u for the HS you attended....I dont think you'll get very much sympathy there, especially since it seems like you are rich.</p>
<p>Well, you seem very interested in business. Why Columbia? If you can answer that question and convince the adcoms that you want to attend Columbia, it will give you a much better shot.</p>
<p>You'd have to fit in my definition of rich not to need financial aid.</p>
<p>I think you have a chance. Like xxdiana said, if you have a convincing reason for wanting to go to Columbia (for business I'm assuming), that will help. You sound confident about your essay, though if you're an outstanding writer it's too bad that isn't reflected in your SAT scores. You have good ECs. If your business is doing well don't hesitate to write an essay about it and how it has shaped you.</p>
<p>It won't hurt to apply! Put a lot of effort into the application - don't blow it off - but don't pour your heart and soul into the dream of Columbia, since it might not happen for you.</p>
<p>If you were a non-URM, I'd say don't even bother to apply. But since you are a URM, you certainly should. Though I'd really get mad if you got in lol
(no offense).</p>