How do I qualify (so far)?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>It is my top school right now. I am a sophomore, and I want to go into their film/film studies program with a double major in political science. Here is what I have done so far:</p>

<p>Freshman:
2-D Art... A
College Prep A Math1... A
Honors Earth Science... A
Honors English 1... A+
Honors French 2... A
Honors Symphony Orchestra... A
Honors Western Studies... A
P.E./Health... A+</p>

<p>Sophomore: (now)
Honors Biology... A
Honors Chemistry... A-
Honors English 2... A+
Honors French 3... A
Honors Math 2... A-
Honors Symphony Orchestra... A-
Honors World Religions... A+
Video Production 1... A+</p>

<p>Junior: (PLANS)
AP English
AP U.S. History
Honors Math 3
Honors Physics
Honors French 4
P.E./Health
Honors Symphony Orchestra
Video Production 2
(Independent Project)</p>

<p>Senior: (PLANS)
AP English
AP Government
AP Econ
Video Production 3
AP French
AP Art History
Honors Symphony Orchestra
Writing Through Film
P.E.</p>

<p>I am in the film crew, debate team (most likely captain next year), Writing Club/Poetry Slam, Guidance Honors Association, Secretary of GSA, and manager of African Aid Association (and next year may be accepted into the National Honors Society and World Language Honors Society). I am a writing center tutor and I am on the Student Committee for my town's literary magazine's youth section. I played Softball and Volleyball in Freshman year. My extra-curriculars are my life, and I enjoy them all so much! (I don't do them because they "look good".) I have over 200 volunteer hours so far, and over the summer I am going to debate camp and I am assistant editing a full-length, professional documentary to enter into film festivals. I am also counting on great recommendations because I have teachers who have already offered them to me when I need them. I might be going to France for a week next year to participate in an exchange program my school has. I am career shadowing a retired screenwriter, and I work at the local library as a page. Finally, I took the PSAT and PLAN tests. I am hoping to count on ACTs for my test to send in.</p>

<p>How do I look for Columbia Film? What should I improve? Should I continue Orchestra or insert more APs senior year? How many APs should I take? Should I send both tests (SAT and ACT)? If you have anything else, suggestions-wise, that would be great! Thanks!!!</p>

2

<p>Hi hippie227! This is my first time on CC since I was accepted to Columbia in December (I applied Early Decision).</p>

<p>You look like a highly qualified candidate. Strong points I see are obviously amazing grades as well as involvement in your school and community. What really sticks out to Columbia admissions, in my opinion, is how diverse, yet focused you are. I know that may sound weird, but I’ll give myself as an example. I applied as a Political Science major, and the majority of my extracurriculars had to do with politics and Model UN. However, I also played Orchestra all four years and showed strength in Chemistry (which I ironically despise) by getting 5 on the AP Chem test and a 790 on the Subject Test. As you see, I clearly showed myself as a focused Political Science guy, but I also tried my hand (and succeeded) at other things. I say, your film studies and polisci double major is perfect. It is a great combination if you can explain it (political documentaries, etc.). Stick with your diverse interests like orchestra while maintaining your focus in film, debate, politics etc. My senior year schedule was the following:</p>

<p>AP US Gov’t
Independent Study (Internat’l Econ/Gov’t)
AP European History
Orchestra
Physics 1
AP English Lit
Honors PreCalculus</p>

<p>As you can see, I didn’t stress APs, and I was in regular math (most of my peers are in Calc) and regular science. But, I showed my focus: AP Govt, Independent Study in internat’l gov’t/econ, even ap euro. As long as you can maintain the following three things, you’re in good shape:</p>

<ol>
<li>Strong academics (A’s, high test scores, difficult schedule, lots of APs)</li>
<li>Focus (classes and extracurriculars that pertain to your intended major)</li>
<li>Diversity (a light addition of extracurriculars and classes (if you’re serious about the interest) that don’t fit into your focus, but show that you’re not just focused on your… focus.</li>
</ol>

<p>Why I stress diversity is because that’s what Columbia is about. The Core Curriculum, while technically conforming the students in terms of education, diversifies a students intellect: Literature Humanities, Art Humanities, Music Humanities, the science requirement, etc. And this Core Curriculum is fulfilled all while focusing on your major. Thus, mimic this system in high school to the best of your abilities: spread your interests while still making your focus prominent.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>