<p>What did this exactly mean?</p>
<p>My GPA and extracurricular activities are really good, and I'm ranked #2 in my school. I think my responses on the Common App were also well-written. However, I'll tell you that my standardized test scores, while they are high, don't touch Ivy standards. But because my family's economically disadvantaged, I still got in despite the not exactly qualifying standardized scores? Also, did the fact that I'm a woman applying to the engineering program (I'm majoring in Electrical Engineering) increase my chances?</p>
<p>Congratulations! From Columbia’s web site:</p>
<p>Opportunity Programs participants receive the following services:</p>
<p>Full financial aid covering tuition, room, and board;</p>
<p>Academic, personal, career, and financial advisement;</p>
<p>Peer mentoring programs;</p>
<p>Individualized and/or group tutorial services; and</p>
<p>Semester book allowance.</p>
<p>[Opportunity</a> Programs | Student Affairs](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/asp/programs/]Opportunity”>Opportunity Programs | Columbia College and Columbia Engineering)</p>