Junior who would DIE to go to CU!!!!!!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Okay, well not literally, but i would most certainly LOVE to be there!</p>

<p>I am a junior - Asian American (great, I know!)</p>

<p>However, unlike most of my peers I am NOT by any means a "math/science" person, though I do love math, I love english/humanities wayyyy more!</p>

<p>Here's a break down of my stats as of right now:</p>

<p>Rank: top 2-3% out 550 people (estimated, could be a little higher) --> though i got a b in ap bio right now, which i am fretting about but hopefully it wont make TOO much of an impact? FYI - AP BIO, due to the teacher, is considered the hardest class at our school...not that CU would know that, but I felt i need to point that out to you lol.
GPA: 4.7 (out of 4 due to weighting)
Class load: hardest possible no doubt!
SAT: Eh. not so hot yet, barely making 2100 on practice exams. However, I have had much better luck with the ACTs - I am constantly scoring in mid 30's on that from practice exams. </p>

<p>ECs:
EIC of School Paper - first junior to become one in a looong time, i am absolutely certain that the newspaper advisor will write me a first class rec!</p>

<p>Write for other community papers as well, including our cultural one.</p>

<p>Countless essay competition awards; won 1st place in state for a newspaper article I wrote. That same article won 4th place nationally at another competiton (which i will not list here for security reasons as you can easily look me up) </p>

<p>Internship at congressman office summer before junior year </p>

<p>Teen Rep on local Youth Commisson - began this system of teen reps to help form better student-community alliances </p>

<p>With members of youth commission helped form young democracts society to promote Obama and help students who can't vote (like me) to still get involved in the poltical scene - created flyers, sent letters of concerns/request to the congressman about issues that bothered us, etc. etc. </p>

<p>Math Honor Society President</p>

<p>NAtional Honor Society</p>

<p>French Honor Society </p>

<p>DECA state winner</p>

<p>So what do you think? I am applicable at all? I've got time. What should I improve? How should I do it? Help! Columbia is my dream and I want to make it a reality !</p>

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<p>I was also an Asian-American applicant with more of a love for the humanities/social studies. Similar to what I posted in a neighboring thread, I feel like there's way too much focus on stereotypical (and frankly just stupid) notions of what an Asian-American is supposed to do or is not supposed to do. Just be a person and don't worry about whether or not you are or aren't fitting the mold. This is more of general advice rather than just to you. That said...</p>

<p>Show Columbia that you have passion, that there is a mind behind the piece of paper. Show them that you're independent, mature, and will contribute to their community. Show a genuine passion for learning and a curiosity about your environment. New York City is not going to hold your hand - how will you make your way about as a potential citizen and Columbia student? Are you going to be passive, or forward? Are you going to waste opportunities, or cherish them? Are you humble? </p>

<p>Now on a more practical note - for your SATs, don't give up. Keep taking endless practice tests and it will pay off, I swear. I remember back in junior year I was plotting more scores on a graph to see if I was improving with each successive test. After 7 or 8 complete practice tests I was barely getting above 2200, and in fact almost dropped below 2100 during my last test including a 680 on the math section. I thought I was screwed. But test day came, and I scored a 2290 including an 800 on the math section. What got me the high score was just the fact that over time, I was getting more and more familiar with the style of the test without even realizing it. You start noticing patterns, and your brain starts to know exactly how to do a problem after first glance because you've done hundreds of them before. So trust me, keep grindin', it'll pay off.</p>

<p>And yes, I did get in. I'm starting class next fall. Hope to see you there in 2010!</p>

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<p>thanks so much for your encouraging response and congrats on your acceptance! well done!</p>

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<p>What good is it if it will kill you? ;)</p>

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<p>Oh, you're fine.</p>