NYU Vs. Columbia

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am looking in California (California Resident here) and in New York. I'm a junior in High school and this is what I have so far: </p>

<p>SAT scores: 2250
ACT: Didn't take it
Grades: All A's (except one B in Freshman Year)</p>

<p>Here are my classes so far:</p>

<p>Freshman:
Accel Algebra/Geometry
Honors English
Spanish
P.E/Child Development
Science
Social Studies
* During summer I went to Ghana and Sri Lanka for a care project for 1 month. To bump up my academics I also did my Algebra 2 class, Honors Biology, and Honors Social Studies classes in my local community college.</p>

<p>Sophmore:
AP English
Honors Trigonometry
Spanish
AP Enviremental Science
AP psych
Child Development
* During the school year I did a foreign exchange over to Germany (1 quarter) and South Korea (1 quarter). Instead of going on another care project, I did some local charity help for under the poverty line education and the homeless community.</p>

<p>Junior:</p>

<p>AP english
Honors Pre-Cal
Spanish
AP Biology
AP government and politics
Child Development
* This summer I am already signed up to go on a care project to Africa and Isreal, maybe Peru if I can add another location onto it, I may do a ocean study instead though.</p>

<p>Senior will be:</p>

<p>AP english
AP cal
Student Government
Spanish
AP chemistry
AP world history
* If I get the chance on a foreign exchange, I will most likely take it.</p>

<p>Other:
Debate Club
Key Club
NJHS
Academic Decathlon
Quiz Bowl
Sustainability club (Started it)
Started 3 local charities (1 for teenage mothers, 1 for children with mental disabilities under the age of 12, and 1 for a summer program for under privileged children who want a better education/better future)
I interned in for a Human Rights official in Cape Town, South Africa
School varsity team for Track/Field
I have also worked as an intern for my moms real estate brokerage
I know 5 other languages other than english which include: Hebrew, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean and currently learning Japanese (all self-taught except Spanish)
Numerous state/national awards
Summer camp jobs with my sister (Didn't list them earlier because they aren't as important as the other ones)</p>

<ul>
<li>Payed for my travel</li>
</ul>

<p>I want to major in Psychology or Political Science.</p>

<p>If these matter:
Female/White/17
Income: 70,000+
First in family to go to college</p>

<p>Which college would be best for me? And what would I have a better chance at?</p>

2

<p>Columbia guarantees to meet full need and with a $70K family income that would be the favorable school. It’s also more selective, so that the chances of getting accepted are very low. It’s right up there with HPYSMC and is the C in many series. With first generation status, from CA…hmm, you’ re in the running but it’s still a long shot I know several Californians not accepted with similar profiel. NYU, you have a good chance of acceptance, but they do not guarantee to meet full need, so the aid will be up in the air Maybe for you they’ll meet it, but maybe not. </p>

<p>I suggest also looking at Fordham at Lincoln Center campus if a Manhattan experience interests you. Though Fordham does not guarantee to meet full need, you do have the stats for some merit possibilities with them, and a Californian would interest them as well.</p>

3

<p>I’d suggest looking for some other schools, too. Columbia will likely provide you with full aid, but your chances of getting into Columbia are very low - even with your fantastic stats.</p>

<p>I’d say that you should be in at NYU, though it probably won’t be financially affordable, given their stinginess with aid. I would look at applying to schools that are known to provide lots of aid. You ought to apply somewhere in the UC system as a safety, probably, since it’s fairly affordable for Cali residents. Berkeley also has good poli sci and psychology programs. </p>