Ivy League and the SAT's...

Transfer Students
1

<p>I am in the midst of considering whether or not to take the ACT / SAT again. I had this thought that maybe I wanted to apply to Columbia as an urban studies major, but I know without a doubt that I would certainly not make it in with my current standardized testing scores.</p>

<p>The problem is, my high school GPA was embarrasing (3.1 weighted) because of a serious family problem that weighed me down psychologically (not the whole story, but a big part of it), and I only took 2 AP classes out of the 18 that were offered to me. </p>

<p>However, I currently have a 4.0 average (and moving swiftly towards another 4.0 this semester) in college (3 semesters by the time I apply) and, while my extracurricular activities are not on the national or international level, I am hella dedicated to and passionate about them (one that includes an after school program for kids whose parents are strung out on crystal meth) and it shows.</p>

<p>So, my question is, if I can write an outstanding essay (with the help of a really wonderful english professor, of course...) and get a stellar recommendation, does anyone think that it's worth me taking the SAT / ACT again in order to apply?</p>

<p>Do I even have a chance in hell at Columbia because of my underachievement in high school?</p>

2

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Do I even have a chance in hell at Columbia because of my underachievement in high school?

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<p>I am not sure; you might be in better hands by talking to a Columbia adcom. As a junior transfer, I think you have an excellent chance, but I do not know how much the SAT factors in junior admissions.</p>

3

<p>You may want to check out Barnard as well as a back-up. Barnard is MUCH easier to get into, but they have cross-registration at Columbia with access to many of the same resources.</p>

4

<p>"The problem is, my high school GPA was embarrasing (3.1 weighted) because of a serious family problem that weighed me down psychologically (not the whole story, but a big part of it), and I only took 2 AP classes out of the 18 that were offered to me."</p>

<p>Ivies have no time for your excuses--especially when their are a million other canidates with both superb college AND high school grades (as myself)...</p>

<p>Don't apply buddy, save yourself some money and go spend it on tutoring.</p>