I did what I tried not to do: I fell in love.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>With Columbia. Do I have any hope for getting in? I know my SATs are good but that's about it.</p>

<p>Objective:
• SAT I (breakdown): 770 CR, 790 M, 760 W, 2320 T
• ACT: Have not taken. Should I?
• SAT IIs: 720 Lit, 670 Spanish, 790 Math II
• GPA: UW: 91/100, W: 103/100
• Rank: Top 10%, only told which decile we are in (out of 250)
• AP: Calculus AB (5), US History (4), English Language (5, self-study)
• IB: Not offered
• Senior Year Course Load: Psychology Honors, AP Spanish, AP Statistics (only math course left), AP Biology, AP English Literature, Religion (required), AP Chemistry (at MIT on Sundays)
• Awards: National Spanish Exam Silver Medal (received twice), School Academic Achievement Award
• Additional: I was the only junior to take 3 AP courses. I took AP Physics, however the course was awful so I did not take the exam (only one senior did, and he received a 2). My school has a 3 AP limit, but I petitioned it so now I will be the only senior to take 4 APs in my senior year. Next year, I hope to take an AP Chemistry course at MIT.</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<p>• Top 5 Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Academic Decathlon (Captain), Varisty Tennis Team, Math Team, I was selected to be a member of the 12-kid Leadership Council (12 students are picked out of 200) at my Church, member of AMIGOs, a youth outreach program offered through my school to help underprivileged children prepare for the MCAS.
• Job/Work Experience: Had a job in my sophomore year at a local grocery store, quit for tennis team
• Volunteer/Community Service: Volunteer at my local hospital on a regular basis, have volunteered at local retirement village and food pantry
• Summer Activities: Summer before my Junior Year I took a Pre-Calculus course at a local independent high school. Therefore I skipped my school’s pre-calculus honors class and became one of three juniors in AP Calculus.
• Essays: Hopefully good, see below.
• Teacher Recommendation: One from my English teacher, one from my math teacher/math team advisor
• Counselor Recommendation: She says I have one of the biggest passions for learning she has ever seen, so it should be good.
• Additional Rec: Maybe one from my supervisor at the hospital, idk yet
• Interview: Has not happened yet</p>

<p>Other:
• State: MA
• Country: US
• School Type: Small, Catholic School
• Ethnicity: White (Irish-Italian)
• Gender: Male
• Income Bracket: Lower Lower Middle Class
• Hooks: None really. My dad went to night school in his late 30s to get his BA…now he’s a cashier. Mom didn’t go to college.
Also, I am gay and I have attended Catholic school since I was in kindergarten, so this has affected me innumerably. I am not “out”, and the people who do know I am gay were shocked to hear so. I am proud of who I am, but growing up in an atmosphere where it is taboo to be gay and our religion class tells us it is not the lifestyle choice to make, it can be confusing. I hope to write an essay on this, explaining how I have learned to accept myself even through this uphill climb.</p>

2

<p>I don’t see why you wouldn’t get into Columbia…I’m kind of unfamiliar with your GPA scale, but above a 100 can’t be bad, right? Also your test scores are awesome and your ECs are good. Good luck with everything, I hope you get in!</p>

3

<p>I recently noticed that the common app has an essay prompt about “diversity” I think that if you wrote your essay on being gay in such a limiting environment it would be really strong. You definitely have a chance at columbia, but it’s really a crapshoot at all the ivies. I would definitely apply early and see where that gets you. Also, do a lot a lot a lot of research about the school so that in your interview you can talk about things that aren’t just on their home page. Good Luck!</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/753268-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/753268-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Columbia doesn’t accept the common app, but the essay question is very broad (“Tell us something interesting about you”), so I will write about that. I have done a TON of research. And thanks so much! Anyone else???</p>

5

<p>ha I also ‘Fell in love’ with Brown. Your stats seem great for an ivy league, better than mine I’d say! It’s not much of a reach for you with those good scores, just make sure you rock the essay and recommendation letters! :slight_smile: Will you post a comment about my love? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/754105-i-fell-love-today-do-i-even-have-chance.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/754105-i-fell-love-today-do-i-even-have-chance.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>cool story bro</p>

<p>Let me introduce you to Flaming Rainbow University </p>

<p><a href=“Error”>Flaming Rainbow University;

7

<p>

</p>

<p>I do.</p>

<p>Sorry to be pessimestic; I don’t mean this as an insult at all, but if you have a 4.0 UW and 2400 there’s a reason why you wouldn’t get into Columbia (and I know people who have had this happen to them). </p>

<p>As with every person and every Ivy, it is a reach. </p>

<p>Spanish Award + 670 SAT II Spanish does not bode well. I would highly recommend retaking this since you are still enrolled in Spanish and hopefully have gotten better. </p>

<p>You do not need to take the ACT: your SAT I score is fine. </p>

<p>If I were to have any recommendations for you, it would be to apply early. Your chances would sky-rocket; strictly in my opinion Columbia and UPenn have the best early programs out of all of the top ranked schools, as far as increasing your chance of admission goes. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

8

<p>You might get into Columbia, but it’s tough. Your scores are great, but I don’t know about the GPA…on your actual transcript, if there are many grades below 90, that won’t help. ECs are good but not killer. You need to fall in love with more places…Ivies and other top schools are just too hard to get in for you to fall exclusively in love with any one of them.</p>

9

<p>To above posters, don’t worry about being “pessimistic”! That’s totally fine! I like realism, and I am not naive enough to think that I am a lock-in at any school, especially Columbia! I am applying ED, which I decided after I visited. Hopefully this will help.</p>

10

<p>u definitely have a great shot, especially if u apply ED (which I’m assuming you’re doing since you’re “in love” with Columbia lol). And don’t take the ACT, and 2320 SAT is good enough to get you into anywhere, colleges don’t care if you get a 2320 SAT or a 36 ACT, its practically the same. Only take the ACT if you are positive you’ll get a 36 and want the bragging rights (yes, I know someone who did that, got accepted to Yale and then took the SAT again for bragging rights and got a 2400)</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/752367-chance-me-engineering-colleges.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/752367-chance-me-engineering-colleges.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

11

<p>Thanks! Anyone else?</p>

12

<p>I think with ED Columbia is a very realistic reach for you.</p>

13

<p>Great SAT I score, but it makes sense to retake the SAT Subject Test for Spanish. I think your essay has the potential to be a great one (well, your topic is a very personal one). I love Columbia too - visited after 8th grade and STILL remember the tour & everything about the school - but I’m just applying RD (not applying anywhere ED). Really hope you make it! :]</p>

14

<p>You definitely have a pretty good shot at getting in. Of course it isn’t a sure thing since it’s so competitive, but especially if you apply ED, there’s a very high chance you will be accepted. Unfortunately for me, I fell in love with Yale, and have spent every day since trying to get myself to like another school better.</p>

15

<p>Unfortunately, you are the quintessential applicant for this caliber of schools, so Columbia must always be considered a reach for everyone. That said, outstanding essays coupled with stellar recs and MORE AWARDS (!!!) could theoretically help you earn an acceptance letter! Best of luck</p>

16

<p>B—u—m—p</p>

17

<p>i think you have a great shot!</p>

18

<p>thanks beeegee! Anyone else?</p>

19

<p>use protection w/ Colombia</p>

20

<p>Clarify? An odd way of saying be careful not to get my hopes up?</p>