<p>im hindu...thats an ORM...im not getting in :-(....but congrats to everybody who got likely letters....thats really exciting :-)</p>
<p>i think indians are in the same boat as asians where even tho they are not white, their race doesnt exactly help them</p>
<p>You lack focus, so there is a good chance that many of these schools will ding you on that basis.</p>
<p>Wasn't there this big commotion about how being Asian actually hurts you? I don't know if this is true or not.</p>
<p>Did a lot of people get likely letters from Columbia?!
And, I don't think Indians/Hindus are underrepresented at Columbia.
I wish we were, though :(</p>
<p>Here's a thought: subtle sarcasm. :D
Cheers Ramaswami, and good luck to everyone else!!!</p>
<p>I applied to the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and received one of these likely letters. It's clear that I'm an underrepresented minority.</p>
<p>I'm a Hispanic from Reno, NV who has a decent resume with a few holes (for instance I've taken AP statistics, calculus BC, Physics C- mechanics, Spanish, US History, and Chemistry) and I failed US History and Chemistry. </p>
<p>To people who've recieved these letters, were they from Columbia College or Columbia SEAS? It's important to note that the SEAS has an acceptance rate of about %24 and the main Universities is about %10.</p>
<p>I am relatively new to this site and to computer use. I have read some of your comments about why my son Deepak got into Columbia. No, Hindus (we are that altho not so identified on applications) and Indians not URMs. I don't know what a flame is. Please explain. One of you says he got lucky, another says he has low stats, another says he has a good record. I am confused. With 2350 SAT (only 1594 kids in the world earned that score or above in the year that he took it), 760 on Latin, 800 Physics and 770 Math 2c I respectfully submit that stats not low. Plus, 5s on 4 APs (Euro, USH, Latin, English) and 4 on French. I think the they is he took 2 foreign languages to the AP level, plus he is doing indep study in French Lit this year in addition to 5 years of sciences (2 years of physics and 2 yrs of chem and one of bio), 4 of math, 3 of hist, comp sci and English to the Engl Lit AP course this year. What I am getting at is what Fred Hargadon (formerly of Princeton) calls no of academic solids, so he will do 24 plus Art Hist at Cornell. I think he came across as an INTERESTING engineering major esp when compared to the usual Asian/Indian math grinds. I think the trick to ECs is to foucs on one or two, in his case tennis and violin. Early on, in 7th gr or so, we delineated a curriculum asking the question, what should a cultivated young adult know if he could never go to college? So, my wife and I emphasized languages, history , art and music and one sport to develop team spirit, tenacity, extraversion. I wonder if this is what Columbia is looking for in the sense it has a Core curriculum which is precisely why he applied there. Got rejected by MIT today as we expected. Please give feedback or call 203 834 1764. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, read Golden's book, The price of admissions. Indians are the New Jews.</p>
<p>Are you saying my son lacks focus? Since I don't understand the structure of this website I may be misinterpreting you. Yes, Deepak is not focused on math/science if that's what you mean or on languages either. Or, he has two foci. Or, he is developing himself in the manner of a Renaissance humanist with several excellences. Please explain and help clarify. Thanks.</p>
<p>What's ORM? I presume over represented minority? Thanks for your congratulatory comment. Is Columbia a good school?</p>
<p>Luck. How so?</p>
<p>Mintie, thanks. I don't know it. Especially today when he got rejected by MIT. Please clarify. With gratitude, Sundar Ramaswami</p>
<p>Columbia is a GREAT school. Congratulations to your son. It's obvious he's worked very hard, is very bright, and deserved his likely letter. College admissions can be quirky and random. Just because someone is accepted at one Ivy League or Ivy League caliber school does not mean they'll be accepted at all of them.</p>
<p>Also, not a good idea to post your full name/phone number on the internet. Though this is a comparatively tame forum, one should always be careful about privacy.</p>
<p>It sounds like your son is a great fit for Columbia. That is probably the reason why he was admitted.</p>
<p>You are stating some membership in Spanish Honor Soc and also Latin Certamen contest. Do I take it you have taken Spanish and Latin in school? For how many years? Why are you not taking AP in languages?</p>
<p>Now I realize why my son made it to Columbia. In addition to the math/sci bit he has studied Latin and French to AP level and this yr is taking AP Fr. Lit. Also did Art hIst at Cornell in summer. So, he breaks the mold of the math/science/intel/siemens/ personality-less Indian math grind. I think I have realized the trick to the admissions process: you need to meet a certain minimum on a no of dimensions, that is why if you are lacking in extraversion a 2400 won't compensate. Once you get above 2200, forget the scores and look at other dimensions: varsity sport (to show energy,) an independent study (to show initiative) etc etc. A wonderful article in the New Yorker by Malcolm Gladwell a few years back explained that the Ivies are looking for extraverts. Varsity sports are a surrogate for energy and teamsmanship. Two languages are rare in anyone but unknown in Asians, so you should have taken the 2 to ultimate end. If I read the apps of a thousand Asian kids all with USAMO and Intel and BC Calculus I will kill the next one. I will be desperate to read of an Asian who took Attic Greek, played football, etc. Thanks.</p>
<p>Can anyone explain to me what a likely letter is??</p>
<p>It's usually given to athletes and applicants at the top of the pool. It usually reads something like, "While we cannot give you an official offer of admission, you'll be getting in... you are awesome, we want you." Basically. It's also a marketing tool to make the applicant more likely to enroll.</p>
<p>i am asian and i have taken honors english, a.p english, a.p economics and a social studies class at a local community college.</p>
<p>I have heard that Columbia gives likelys to applicants to some of the schools like Engineering, but very very rarely gives any for applicants to Columbia College</p>