<p>i've heard that admissions at columbia are considered to be a 'crapshoot' so to speak, so typically what ranks highest in importance in the eyes of admissions officers?
GPA
SAT
EC's
Essays
Personal Qualities (uniqueness etc)
EC's
Class Rank
Rec's
or Relations/Legacy
I know everyone who applies is going to be solid academically, so where do all of these factors rank in importance?</p>
<p>From the profile on the College Board:</p>
<p>Very important admission factors:
Character/Personal Qualities
Class Rank
Application Essay
Recommendations
Rigor of secondary school record
Standardized Test Scores </p>
<p>Important admission factors:
Extracurricular Activities
Talent/Ability </p>
<p>Considered:
Alumni Relation
Geographical Residence
Interview
Racial/Ethnic Status
Volunteer Work</p>
<p>isn't it a bit hard to believe that an interview holds the same weight as racial/ethnic status does?</p>
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isn't it a bit hard to believe that an interview holds the same weight as racial/ethnic status does?
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</p>
<p>Yep. This College Board thing is BS. It's impossible to "tier" the factors.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i've heard that admissions at columbia are considered to be a 'crapshoot' so to speak,
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</p>
<p>You heard wrong.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know everyone who applies is going to be solid academically,
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This isn't true at all. There are many terrible applicants who are throwing up a Hail Mary by sending in an app to Columbia.</p>
<p>
[quote]
where do all of these factors rank in importance?
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</p>
<p>They're all pretty damn important. You pretty much need it all.</p>
<p>I think Columbia2002 said it all. It is impossible to tier the factors...</p>
<p>Character/Personal Qualities
Application Essay
Racial/Ethnic Status
Alumni Relation
Standardized Test Scores
Rigor of secondary school record
Class Rank
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Talent/Ability
Volunteer Work
Geographical Residence
Interview</p>
<p>In my option.
There are some factors that are CLEARLY more important than others.</p>
<p>My view of the admissions process at Columbia is as such: You need an absolute minimum GPA(think around 3.0), hard classes(most all honors/AP) and a decent SAT(think 1400+ on the 1600 scale) to be seriously considered. Beyond this, you need to have something you care about. Whether it be sports, chemistry or english, you have to have something to bring to the table. "I have a 4.3 GPA and 2400 SATs" won't cut it; Columbia wants interesting people. </p>
<p>You have to be able to show passion in something. Interested in English? Published in a literary journal? Interested in Chemistry or Physics? Done a research internship? You get the idea.</p>
<p>In a sense, I believe Columbia has somewhat of a "crapshoot" admissions process due to the fact that they're looking for well-defined interests. Therefore, it's not enough to say you have perfect grades; you have to have activities that support an interest you have. These are harder to objectively look at. None of us on these boards know what Columbia finds interesting.</p>
<p>In sum, perfect scores don't get you into Columbia. You just need to prove you can succeed at Columbia and show what you can bring to the table.</p>