How would I up my chances?

<p>Hello! I wanted to ask about how I would up my chances of getting into Columbia at my current (and seemingly sad compared to other students -_-) standing. I'm a high school senior with a 4.0 unweighted (3.2 weighted..I think) GPA, am in the top 4% of my class (I'm #5), with an ok school schedule(which is below). I can honestly say I seriously screwed up my 9th and 10th grade year (major depression, going to the shrink regularly, missing up to 30 days of school a year, skipping classes, yadda yadda excuses) so that will honestly screw up my chances. SO how could I change this so I could at least compete with other students applying to Columbia? What are my chances?</p>

<p>-AP Scores:
Human Geo: 3
US History: (Haven't received the scores yet)
Psychology:
Literature:
Government
Macro:</p>

<p>-Sat Scores:
550 Math
560 Reading
530 Writing
(On a note, I'm DEFINITELY retaking the SATs. I took it to see how I stood currently and took it 3 days after school exams and after not sleeping for a week ;_;. Bad idea was bad)</p>

<p>-8th Grade:
Algebra I: B
Spanish I: -B</p>

<p>-9th Grade:
AP Human Geo: -C
Eng I Honors: - C
Geometry: -A
Integrated Science: +A
Medical Skills: -A
Fashion Production: B
Health/Life Management Skills: B
Semantics & Logic: A</p>

<p>-10th Grade:
English 2: -A
Algebra II Honors: -B
Biology I Honors: -A
World History Honors: -A
Costume Makeup: +A
Costume Design: -A
French I: B
French II: B</p>

<p>-11th Grade:
English III Honors: -A
Analysis of Functions: B
Chemistry I Honors (Advanced): -A (The advanced part being that they tortured us with more work but refused to give us extra credit for it since it was an "experimental" class that was meant as a Pre-AP Chem class.)
AP US History: +A
Culinary Operations 1: -A
Psychology I: B
Psychology II: B
Sociology: +A
Drivers ED: B</p>

<p>-12th Grade (Current Schedule):
AP Psychology:
Tech/Business:
AP Literature:
Culinary Operations 2:
American Sign Language I:
AP Government:
AP Macro:
Fitness Lifestyle Designs (PE 2):
Phys. Ed:</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:
-GAP Program for 9th and 10th grade (some junk about getting into AP classes. Its a weird prep school thing that encourages students to take APs while taking classes during summer. I hardly went to it except for MAYBE the 1st day and all the school meetings).
-Tutoring 2nd graders my 9th grade year by helping their reading skills & reading to them(technically volunteer hours BUT I didn't count them so I don't know how many hours I did. I remember going every week for an hour from October to the end of April)
-Dreams for Teens: Its a school/parent club seeking to improve the school by helping students and the teacher body and various other things. I started going my 11th grade year and will probably be going this year also
-Soon to join NHS
-FCCLA my 11th Grade year (another club I was in that fell apart after a few months due to inactivity and NO ONE trying to get anything done -_-;). I'm rejoining my 12th grade year and hope to improve it.</p>

<p>how the hell do you have a 4.0 unweighted with those grades? you didn't have straight a's once.</p>

<p>^OP obviously switched up weighted and unweighted for his or her numbers.</p>

<p>As for "upping" your chances there isn't really much to do pre-senior year except improving those SAT scores, writing great essays, and getting great recs.</p>

<p>Sorry <em>facepalm</em> Yea I accidently switched weighted with unweighted. I'll edit the post. But thanks for the advice!</p>

<p>I think you should certainly try if it is your dream school - why not? I think Barnard is easier to get into - you might want to try that route if the school still admits separately. You are pretty much at Columbia if you go there.</p>

<p>I have no idea what you could do at this point to increase your chances. Just package yourself well, get good recs, and write wonderful essays.</p>

<p>If you like the NYC atmosphere at Columbia, you might want to check out schools like NYU, Fordham, The New School, Hunter, etc. to fill out your reach/match/safety categories.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice! I've actually never heard of those colleges (except for Fordham and NYU). BTW, where is Barnard? Sounds nice.</p>

<p>Across the street from Columbia.</p>