<p>Columbia is my absolute dream school and I'd love some advice since I'm pretty short on making it as of now.</p>
<p>I'm an international student and am 16. I'm currently doing my second semester in a community college in the United States and my GPA will probably be 3.6 to 3.7 at the end of this semester. I took my first SAT test and scored a 1920. However, I was hoping that perhaps my background might aid me in getting closer to being admitted.</p>
<p>Lived in 4 different countries (culturally diverse)
Was in the Gifted Education Program (top 1% of all students in Singapore)
Accepted into Music Elected Program in middle school
Played major roles in two television series when I was young
Completely fluent in Chinese (writing, reading and speaking)
Published twice in school magazines
Currently on the board of committee for my college's annual literary journal
Personal rejection letter from Kenyon Review (top 4% of all submissions; Kenyon Review recognised as fourth best national, if not international literary magazine)
Vice-President of Chess Club
ABRSM Practical Piano Grade 8 (highest achievable level besides Diploma and Master's degrees; if I'm not mistaken, I'll be able to teach Grade 1 to Grade 5 with my certificate)
ABRSM Theory Grade 5
ABRSM Practical Classical Guitar Grade 5
Singapore Youth Festival Choir Gold with Honours in middle school
Swimming -- Gold medal (Highest achievable medal would be Gold Star)
Lifesaving 1</p>
<p>Would there be ANY chance of my getting into Columbia at all? I understand that my GPA and SAT are extremely low for Columbia, but just giving it a shot.</p>
<p>Huh. Its true that your GPA and SAT scores are not exactly Columbia level, but I would still say that you have a chance. Have you taken any subject tests? you should do that, especially if you’re fluent in Chinese. Plus, you can always take the SAT I again.</p>
<p>I say you still have a chance because you are apparently very strong in music. Also, the acting thing is interesting. I’m not sure if its big enough to matter, however.</p>
<p>Try to get that GPA up, and try to take the SATs again to get over 2000.</p>
<p>I’m planning to retake my SAT definitely to get at least a 2100 hopefully in March. However, it won’t be in time for application. I understand that the Columbia selection for transfer students in the second year is a lot more selective than in the first year so that happens to be my main concern. Also, I’m planning to take my ABRSM Practical Piano Diploma which is a professional degree at the end of this year.</p>
<p>Would you recommend me to apply at the end of my sophomore year or right now, at the end of my freshman year?</p>
<p>Furthermore, I’ve been constantly trying to get published and have gotten numerous rejection letters from the Kenyon Review, the Paris Review, and the Tinhouse which are all top-ranked international literary magazines. Perhaps that would strengthen my application too since I’m planning on majoring in English, Journalism with a few Pre-Law, Political Sciences and International Relations courses on the side.</p>
<p>There’s no way for me to get my GPA up and that’s one of my main concerns. Lastly, would my age be considered as an advantage or a factor of doubt?</p>
<p>I’m not very familiar with the transfer process, so I can’t really help you there.</p>
<p>I would definitely apply at the end of next year. You’re young, and you haven’t really taken too many classes. Columbia wants to see long-term success with grades and ECs. Take really hard classes next year, and do well in them. An application has a much stronger foundation with more hard classes.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say a rejection letter would help your application. Any bozo (not saying that you’re a bozo) could get one. </p>
<p>Your age shouldn’t really come in to play. However, what classes you are taking (and have taken) definitely matter. A 3.6 GPA in rocket-science-level courses is much different from a 3.6 GPA in beginning-algebra-type classes.</p>
<p>Let not the value of your scores impede you, fair child. Though they pain you hither, do not let them push you to pain, to a dark abyss thats swallows your confidence like a raptorous bird, my sweet boy. You are you, great in nature, brilliant in spirit, and abounding with sexual brilliance. So kneel not to your waning confidence and instead stand hither on a mountain top. Exclaim to the word, with all of your boyish charm: “I am me, sweet world. I am an amazing, brilliant boy. From my hairless, boyish body, do my curious, inquisitive mind, im am me!” So pull off that sweat-soaked, shirt, and take down those denim, thigh hugging jeans, and show the world that perspiring, pearly white bod! </p>
<p>The world awaits you fair child. Will you dare to seek it?</p>
<p>^^^
hahahaa woooow,
college confidential never ceases to amaze me</p>
<p>Okay, I skipped the prerequisites of English II after taking English I for the first semester to Creative Writing II, the most difficult language-based course available so that might be a plus. I’m not that keen on sciences and mathematics which I’m certain could possibly be my downfall. I’ll strive to take Calculus I during the summer and finish Calculus II by the end of my sophomore year though and complete Chemistry II or Organic Chemistry I.</p>
<p>I’m planning on applying to the liberal arts college since I don’t intend to major on anything that relates to the sciences or math significantly.</p>
<p>Skiier, I doubt I’d qualify for all the testosterone references you made. Actually, you know who you remind me of? Nietzsche, the disturbing obsession with mountain’s heights etc. lulz</p>