<p>I recognize this pretty dumb but I'd really appreciate some advice here. I was recently accepted to Columbia as one of their 'named scholars'. I'm an international student from Canada. My school was fine academically, probably one of the better ones in the province- I took/am taking all the APs available. I came in with a lot of credit from grade 9 so I kind of managed to spread my courses out a bit.</p>
<p>I got great grades without a huge focus on school and high SATs, but I feel like my studying habits are mostly iffy. I devoted a large amount of my times to my ECs, and to one more than the others (research). It was basically like a part time job, without money. I did well in that and it's likely going to be my future career (clinician-scientist). However, I need to go to med school to fulfill my goals and getting into med school is quite tough in Canada. </p>
<p>I've also recently suffered a bunch of family crises and this all, with some other issue has taken a toll on me. I feel pretty burnt out/tired. I'm scared if I go to Columbia that I'll be ill prepared (relative to kids who took 20 APs) and not do well or some other antisocial craziness. I feel like this is a bit irrational but I don't know. I definitely think I'd benefit from a strong student body - I'm very happy when I'm with my science friends. </p>
<p>Anyway, I have good offers in Canada, w/ major scholarships. I'm leaning towards Columbia but do you all have any alternate opinions? I'm also considering a gap year or working hard on time management over the summer. It would really hurt to mess up such an opportunity but I also don't want to mess up my career. </p>
<p>Personally, I would take Columbia, but I’m not you. Ultimately, it is your decision, but like I said, I would take Columbia. Also, does Columbia allow its students to take a gap year without giving up their spot? If they do allow you to take a gap year while retaining your status of admitted, then I recommend doing (or at least looking into doing) that.</p>
<p>Frankly, if Columbia do not think you can succeed, they can pick from 100 other applicants to fill your seat. Why are you intimidated from it while they are not afraid of you ruin their reputation?</p>
<p>^If Columbia admitted you, it means you can do the work. They have way more qualified applicants than they can admit, so they never admit anyone who is at risk of failing out or not keeping up. If you got in, you can do it.
BTW no one has 20 AP’s, 4-8 is considered good by selective schools. You’ll do fine.
Now, if you feel totally burnt out, you can ask to defer for a year, and work/volunteer/backpack around Europe/find a WHV for Australia… Just don’t take any college class.</p>
<p>I’d say your fears of getting burned out or weeded out would be more founded at a larger sink-or-swim public in Canada, or at Oxbridge, for example. Columbia? They’ll take care of you, relatively speaking. A wealthy private has more of an interest in your success because of what you represent to them in terms of financial health, down the line. </p>
<p>Also, if you devoted a large amount of time to your ECs, then that suggests to me that you’d be a better fit for a U.S. school, anyway, where more priority is placed on being well-rounded. </p>
<p>Columbia has confidence in your academic abilities. Whether you’re ready emotionally is going to be up to you, but if it’s any consolation, there are probably hundreds of students coming in who are more or less “scared”. That fear doesn’t make you ill-prepared; maybe it will motivate you even more.</p>
<p>I agree, if you got into Columbia you can do the work. And most important you already are aware of what you need to improve on so I’m sure you will be able to recalibrate the time spend on academics v ECs and do just fine. Columbia is a great school and I know a lot of people there who are very happy (and they are all able to mix ECs with their studies).</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice. I’m probably going to commit to Columbia as soon as I get my final FA. I have 15 days or so to decide whether to defer or not so that gives me time… I think I’ll try and meet with a psychologist or someone and see their thoughts.</p>
<p>I don’t know why I’m burned out, per se. I love my research and I know I enjoy intellectual discussions and the like. I didn’t have loads of friends in my HS (pretty small and I moved there so obviously my experience was disruptive). I feel like this whole burnout thing happened at the end of junior/senior year. Before, I used to go really hard at everything and make things work, regardless of the situation - now, I’m not a fan of stress and seemingly lack the willpower to ‘ironman’ through rough situations. But who knows - maybe the better peer group will make up for it?</p>
<p>I just know NYC and college as a whole will be a pretty stressful chance and I don’t want to go if I’m not ‘functioning properly’, you know? Anyways thanks again and more thoughts are always welcome </p>
<p>I’m impressed that you’re considering your burnout so thoughtfully. I think it bodes well for you to deal with it successfully. Definitely recommend speaking to a therapist before making major decisions. Sometimes just talking about it will clarify things in your mind. Good luck to you whatever you decide!</p>
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