How to go about applying...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'd wager that by now many of you have at least read over my thread about a recommendation that my mom's boss wanted to send to Columbia and all that other mumbo-jumbo. Lately, I've really been on the edge about my chances at Columbia, and I am again in need of some advice. This time it's more or less straightforward...</p>

<p>For those that haven't read the other thread, I described being raised in a single-parent home, working 20+ hours a week to help support the household, having to deal with language barriers, that kind of stuff. Anyway, here's what you really need to see...</p>

<p>GPA: 3.9 (Unweighted)
Class Rank: 14/346
SAT I: 710 CR; 770 M, 730 W
SAT II: 770 US History; 710 German Language; 750 Math I; 750 Physics</p>

<p>Junior Year:
German III
PreCalculus
AP Computer Science AB
AP United States History
AP English Language
Physics Honors</p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP Physics C
AP Calculus BC
AP English Literature
AP Government and Politics
AP Psychology
AP German
AP Micro/Macro-economics</p>

<p>ECs:
Work 20+ hours a week to help support my family
Civitan Service Club (80 hours logged so far this year, my first year with the club)
Young Democrats (probably will be President next year)
Chess Club (officer position)
Cycling Club (officer position)
Global Concerns Club
National Honors Society
German Club (Vice President)
Helped considerably with a friend's Eagle Scout Project, though I'm not part of the BSA
Academic Team (Science and Social Studies)</p>

<p>Goodies:
Ukrainian Immigrant
Trilingual: Russian, Ukrainian, English
Extremely determined and hard-working
Lower end of the economic bracket
Have an incredible essay in mind outlining the hardships in my life, how I've overcome them, and how I've built character through them
Neither of my parents took part in any sort of education in the States</p>

<p>I'm not sure...
If Columbia is my number one choice, and it is, does it make sense to apply early? Does it make sense to apply at all? I'm just really feeling the waters right now...</p>

<p>Thanks in advance to everyone.</p>

2

<p>Yes, if Columbia's your dream you should obviously apply. Your stats and ECs are good enough for any school. I'm not really sure if you should apply early, though because you're obviously in need of aid, and Columbia's early decision, so you'd be bound to go. Then again, I suppose if you're admitted early, and they didn't offer you enough, you could always say that you really can't afford it...how easily can you get out like that is the only question. It's up to you. I know I didn't apply early b/c I was worried about financial aid. In the end, they gave me a pretty good, not great, but good offer.
Make sure you don't lose confidence in yourself, though...this definitely isn't the time. Then again...don't get cocky either.</p>

<p>Tbone</p>

3

<p>looks good. but anecdotally and statistically, it takes a huge amount of luck to get into Columbia. I know 4 Princeton admits, 1 HYPBrown admit, and 1 yale admit who have gotten wl'sted or rejected at Columbia.</p>

4

<p>the problem with columbia is that i think theres little room to shine with essays ifyou're a strong writer; they specifically reqquest one essay (explictly discouraging a second one) so you might be hard-pressed to try and express youreslf with the one page essay. I didn't get an interview either, so maybe they're not big on interviews either. </p>

<p>so yes, i second the person above when it comes to luck. you seem likea really strong applicant, i'd just suggest you let your counselor's report show that "described being raised in a single-parent home, working 20+ hours a week to help support the household, having to deal with language barriers, that kind of stuff." stuff. they say a person's character's most revealed during difficult times (or words to that extent) and your character (i believe and hope) fits columbia's bill. </p>

<p>good luck with your application; just know that any app to the ivy league and other top instistutions are a crackshot with little room to maneuver</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
I'm not really sure if you should apply early, though because you're obviously in need of aid, and Columbia's early decision, so you'd be bound to go.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>My household income is so low it would be completely ridiculous if I had to pay more than a few thousand dollars.</p>

<p>General question: Statistically speaking, chances are considerably better when applying early, correct?</p>

<p>EDIT:
Also, of Columbia puts any emphasis on how applicants spend their summer...
The summer between freshman and sophomore year I worked full time. The summer between sophomore and junior year I worked full time (I've been at the same job for 2 years and counting now). And this upcoming summer, I'll be attending the North Carolina Governor's School for 6 weeks in the field of natural science and then working full time for the remainder.</p>

6

<p>If you make less than a combined $60,000 a year, Columbia guarantees all grants (aka you pay nothing, no loans- nothing). Does applying early help? Probably. But one reason the ED admit rate is so much higher is because the larger majority of the ED pool wants to go to Columbia, has better scores, and better grades. A lot of the RD candidates relative to the ED pool are not qualified for Columbia.</p>

<p>But keep in mind Columbia accepts ~25% early, defers 25~, and rejects 50%. If you know Columbia is 100% where you want to go... by all means apply early. But just make sure you are sure.</p>

7

<p>If you are deffered early, are you evaluated the same as RD applicants?</p>

8

<p>When you're re-evaluated, I'm sure there's a note in your application that says that you were deferred. RD applicant's wouldn't have this. I don't know whether this will help or hurt you.</p>

9

<p>So does anyone know whether or not summer experiences have at least some bearing on admissions?</p>

10

<p>I'm pretty sure they dont. I had a friend who did a summer school at Stanford but got rejected when he applied RD.</p>