<p>Ok so I have posted this in a couple other places, but columbia I think is a great fit for me, and I would like some specific advice from people who know Columbia, which is why I am posting this here!</p>
<p>General Info:</p>
<p>White Male
North East
Very Competitive Private HS (does not rank/does not offer honors-only AP)
GPA: 3.8/4.4 (UW/W)
SAT I: 2280 - M(800)CR(730)W(750)
SAT II:</p>
<p>MathII(790)
Chem(780)
Bio(760)
Physics(710[took as frosh]/800[retake as soph])</p>
<p>AP (took others but the ones I will submit are):</p>
<p>PhysicsB(5 as a frosh)
PhysicsC both(5/took as a college class)
Euro(4)
APUSH(5)
Chem(5)
Bio(5)
Econ(5)
Calc AB(5)
Calc BC(5)
Statistics(5)
Computer Sci(5)
Language and Comp(4)</p>
<p>College Courses:I took and advanced physics course, economics, photography, and other courses at a local college-ranked top 25</p>
<p>EC's</p>
<p>Math/Science:
Founded rocketry club(10-12)
Team America Rocket Contest(9-12)
ARML(9-12)
AMC/AIME(9-12)
School Math League(9-12)</p>
<p>The Arts:
Preformed in professional operas(9-12)
Freelance Photographer - Published in local publications/pro-bono work for local non profits(Amnesty Intntl, etc...)(11/12)
Photo Editor of Art Magazine-nationally ranked/awarded(10-12) </p>
<p>Athletics:
Top Team Golf(not varsity but earned varsity letter)(9-12)
Ping Pong Team(not sure if I should put this on - it was just for fun)(10-12)
Boys Tennis(10-12)</p>
<p>Volunteer/Work Experience
Teach Summerschool classes(math and science) to city kids(summer 10-11)
Teach Golf to city kids(summer 10-11)
Out of State paid internship(summer 11-12)</p>
<p>Other:
Science Olympiad National Championship (Middle School - may write about in personal statement)</p>
<p>Yeah you’re fine, just as good a chance as any. You have nice numbers, but don’t skimp on the essays. </p>
<p>Sometimes I feel like you guys just do this for the validation.</p>
<p>As I often say, there’s more to “schools” in general than scores. I just came in with the most competitive transfer group (in terms of proportion admitted) in Columbia’s history. My SATs were just above 2000 (didn’t break 700 in a single category), HS GPA a measly 3.8ish weighted, and my activities barely as impressive as the majority student body.</p>
<p>Of course I worked my butt off in college and developed myself as a person, so CU isn’t putting blind monkeys in the admissions office. But the point is, don’t let your scores define you.</p>
<p>Yeah, you know what, you’re right though, a lot of us do it for validation, but come on you went through the college admissions process, its freaking stressful, and my mom is pushing me to do all this extra volunteer stuff and retake the SATs and take 2 more SATII’s so that I can go to an ivy. I really just wanted to make sure that before I didn’t do all of that stuff, and started to ENJOY my last year of HS, that I didn’t need to do any more, that I’ll get in somewhere decent, I’ve worked worked worked for three straight years, and now it is time for a small respite before college. Thanks for the input, and congrats on transferring to Columbia…do you like it there, it’s probably my first choice.</p>
<p>Thank you! I love it here. It’s just … cool.</p>
<p>And yeah, I know how you feel. I was at a point when I didn’t think I was going to school at all, and knowing there are people out there willing to give good advice was a weight off my shoulders.</p>
<p>But no worries. You’ll get into a good school and you’ll be extremely happy to escape parental pressure.</p>
<p>So are you applying early decision? And which school, CC or SEAS?</p>