Low GPA High SAT Applicant's Dilemma (Columbia/Tufts)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So Columbia is my absolute dream school but I have a 3.5 unweighted GPA, I am top 12% but not 10% at a fairly competitive school, and I have subpar math/science grades (2 semesters of C's in honors chemistry). Even though my SAT (2250, and I'm taking the ACT in September) and extracurriculars (not worried about this facet at all) are super solid, I feel like I don't have a shot at Columbia. </p>

<p>Tufts is my second choice, and I've visited Tufts but not Columbia. I really like it, obviously, but I love Columbia. My dilemma is that Tufts is a close second and I don't want to "waste" my ED applying to a school that's basically a guaranteed rejection. ED makes a huge difference at Tufts, so my chances would be decent, and if I got in I would be able to end this stress in December itself. </p>

<p>I want to study Economics (Political Science Track) at Columbia and Econ/International Relations at Tufts. I could apply ED1 to Columbia and then ED2 to Tufts if I get rejected, but if I have no shot at Columbia in the first place then I might as well apply to Tufts ED1 (where I would be perfectly content) and end this agonizing process in December. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my chances at Columbia as well as any insights you may have about Tufts vs Columbia and whether it's even worth it to apply to Columbia when Tufts is such a solid option already. </p>

2

<p>You’re right; Columbia is “basically a guaranteed rejection” unless you have some serious hooks. If you’re truly happy with Tufts, apply ED there.</p>

3

<p>they’ll look at ur scores and be like “why doesnt this match” and you will be seen as a volatile candidate </p>

4

<p>You should aim a lot lower. I had a higher GPA than yours (3.66 unweighted, 4.29 fully weighted). I also had a higher SAT score than yours (2300). I did not apply to any of the ivies because I knew that my GPA was too low and my SAT score was 100 points from perfection. I was rejected/waitlisted by UCB, UCLA, UCSD, UCD, UCI, and Cal Poly SLO.</p>