***Official Columbia University Class of 2021 Regular Decision Results ONLY***

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

Haven’t seen a decisions thread for this with decisions coming out in less than a week from now so here is the official thread for Columbia class of 2021 Regular Decision applicants. Columbia will announce their decisions online by March 30 at 5PM with likely letters being posted earlier. Good luck to Everyone!

Remove spaces when you post:

[ size=4][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted **[/color][/size]
[ size=4][ color=orange][ b]Decision: Deferred **[/color][/size]
[ size=4][ color=red][ b]Decision: Rejected **[/color][/size]

[ b]Objective:[/b
]
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):
ACT (breakdown):
ACT superscore (breakdown):
SAT II (subject, score):
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Weighted GPA:
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parentheses):
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load:
Number of other EA applicants in your school:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.):
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.):

[ b]Subjective:**

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community Service:
Summer Experience:

[ b]Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):**

Essays:

Teacher Recommendation #1:
Teacher Recommendation #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Info/Rec:
Interview:
Art Supplement:

[ b]Other**

Date Submitted App:
U.S. State/Territory or Country:
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket Range:
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development):

[ b]Reflection**

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
What would you have done differently?:
Where else did you apply?

[ b]Other Factors: **

[ b]General Comments & Advice:**

2

**Decision: Accepted Via Likely Letter **

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Only taken for National Merit so scores weren’t sent but 1510 800M 710R/W
ACT (breakdown): 35 (One Time), 35 (Superscore), 35E, 35M, 35R, 36S, 25W
SAT II: Biology M 800, Math II 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.26
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/226
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Biology, Calculus AB, Chemistry, English Lang, Environmental Science (Self-Study), European History, Human Geography (Self-study), Psychology, US History – All 5s
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Calculus 3 (taken at college), AP Physics 1, AP English Lit, AP Micro, AP US Gov, Spanish 4, Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Natl Spanish Exam state winner sophomore and junior years, All-state violinist, State and National AP Scholar, one of six students in state chosen for Distinguished Student Program, Coca-Cola/JK Cooke semifinalist (not listed), lots of science olympiad state medals.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Orchestra (concertmaster), Key Club (District Lieutenant Governor), Environmental Club (President), Spanish Club (Past President), Varsity Cross-country, Swimming, and Track all four years of high school, Relay for Life (Co-founder of school relay, minor leadership role) Fargo Youth Initiative (Co-chair, co-founder), Science Olympiad (Team captain), Knowledge Bowl.
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Key Club, Relay for Life, HOBY, Presidential Service Award (gold level).
Summer Activities: North Dakota Governor’s School in 2015, MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) and Yale Young Global Scholars in 2016.

Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):

Essays: Personal statement: 9 (very reflective, personality was brought out well) Why Columbia Essay: 8 (wrote about an alumni I met at a fly-in program and how it related to my interest in the engineering school.)

Teacher Rec #1: 9 (have had her for spanish for 4 years, have a very good relationship with her)
Teacher Rec #2: 8 (wasn’t very long, but teacher said I was one of his best students in 30 years, not much substance though)
Counselor Rec: 9-10 (meet with her very often, worked with her to get into MITES and Yale Global Scholars)
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: 9 (My interviewer looked like Harry Potter tbh but we had a good conversation)

Art Supplement:N/A

Other

Date Submitted App: 12/31/2016
U.S. State/Territory or Country: North Dakota
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket Range: Lower Middle Class (40-50k)
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): First in family to attend 4 year institution (dad dropped out of college and mom got an associate’s degree after I was born)

Reflection

Strengths: MITES, test scores, Counselor Rec, I’m from ND, slighly low-income and first gen, state AP Scholar.
Weaknesses: Didn’t focus too much on one sport/activity, bad ACT writing score, no work experience.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I was a pretty good candidate overall, there weren’t really any “holes” in my application (absence of volunteering, sports, etc.) and I felt I was very genuine in my essays/interview. I also have the geographic hook of being from ND and no one else from my school applied RD to Columbia who was as qualified as me.
What would you have done differently?: Focused in on finding a leadership position for one of my clubs…I really wanted to be student body president.
Where else did you apply? Applied to and accepted to Brown (likely letter), Harvard (likely letter), MIT/CalTech/Uchicago/Rice (Accepted), Stanford (Accepted REA), Pomona (Waitlisted), Carleton (waitlisted :-/ :-/), other area schools.

General Comments & Advice:

It took a lot of effort to become a valid candidate for Columbia and I’m extremely happy with the results. I’ve tried nearly everything to find my passion, make a difference, and help my community during my time in high school. I’ve experience multiple instances of failure (not elected student body president, failed to qualify for the semifinalist round the USABO after making a testing center for our school, not elected state student council president, failed to become good at the sports I’ve been in, etc) but haven’t let those things define me. I didn’t think I would get into Columbia since I didn’t really have anything “magical” about my application, but in the end coming off as a genuine, charismatic person from North Dakota seemed to make all the difference.

3

**Decision: Rejected **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1580 (790 Reading and Writing, 790 Math, 22 Essay)
ACT (breakdown): 35 Composite (36 English, 35 Math, 33 Reading, 36 Science, 33 Writing)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Biology M
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 W, 4.85 UW
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Biology (5), US History (5), BC Calc (5), Lang and Comp (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): none
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chem, AP Lit, AP Gov, AP French, AP Stats
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing extremely major… National Merit Commended, AP Scholar with Distinction, Harvard Book Award, French Honor Society, National Honor Society, and a bunch of school academic awards.

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

  • Varsity Tennis (Captain)
  • National Honor Society (Officer)
  • Asian Culture Club (President)
  • Math Team
  • Biology lab aide

Job/Work Experience:

  • Intern at biomedical company
  • Teacher assistant at local language school (won award for best teacher assistant)

Volunteer/Community service:

  • Invention/Science Camp (Camp Counselor)
  • Volunteer at local hospital
  • Volunteer at town library

Summer Activities:

  • Internship at biomedical company
  • Summer program at Brown
  • Invention/Science Camp (Camp Counselor)
  • Hiking/traveling with family

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

  • Common App: 8/10, Wrote about finding balance between being an individual and contributing to a community
  • Supplements: 8/10, Worked hard on these, but were kinda average I guess

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: AP Bio teacher 9/10, did well in class, work as lab aide
Teacher Rec #2: AP Lang teacher 9/10, did well in class, connected with teacher
Counselor Rec: 8/10 didn’t know super well, but she definitely likes me a lot
Additional Rec: none
Interview: 9/10 Went well! The interviewer said I was the most prepared and knowledgeable about Brown out of all the interviews she had done so far

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Medicine, Literature, and Society
State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public, small but high-ranking in Massachusetts, competitive atmosphere with many legacy students
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: Upper middle class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): cousin legacy

Reflection:
Strengths: Grades, test scores, teacher recs
Weaknesses: Interview, Asian, interested in biology (very popular major), many strong legacy applicants from my school
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Welp! I think Columbia was looking for female engineers or something because everyone I know who got into Columbia from my area are female engineers.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted at Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Duke, Vanderbilt, UVA, and McGill; wait listed at Harvard, UPenn, and Cornell; Rejected at Columbia and Princeton

General Comments: Congrats to all those accepted! You have worked so hard for this - enjoy yourself now!! For all those who didn’t receive the good news you were hoping for, please remember that college admissions is such a crapshoot and that some random admissions officer’s decision does not reflect who you are as a person. :smiley:

4

[green] Decision: Accepted [/green]

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 1580 (First attempt)
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):(790M and 790R&W)
ACT (breakdown):35
ACT superscore (breakdown): 36 Math, 335 English, 35 Reading, 36 Science.
SAT II (subject, score): 800 Math 2 800 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.88
Weighted GPA:4.65
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):9/403
AP (place score in parentheses): Psych (4) LOL, Stats(5), Physics 1 (4), Micro(5), Macro(5), Government and Politics(5), Chemistry(5), Computer Science A(5), Environmental Science (5), Calc AB(5), Biology (5), APUSH(5).
IB (place score in parentheses): Predicted 43/45
Senior Year Course Load: HL Chem, HL English, HL Biology, SL math, SL history, TOK, SL Spanish

Number of other EA applicants in your school: 3
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.):few state awards in math, Bronze, gold and silver medalist at national Science Olympiad.
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): NMF, AP awards, few other small awards.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
Chess club and team (captain and founder)
Tennis Varsity Team (Co Captain)
STEM Club (Founder and President)
Quiz Bowl (Captain)
Junior year created group that started selling school supplies to raise money for prosthetic parts for people who lost their body parts to diseases or illnesses and helped a a guy in Mexico and a guy in Liberia (this is probably what got me in and it was for CAS in IB lol).

Job/Work Experience: Cashier at Publix
Volunteer/Community Service: Volunteered at Sun Coast Hospital
Volunteered at Kumon
Volunteered at Morton Plant Hospital.
Summer Experience:
Volunteered at hospitals
Research at state science lab. .

Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):

Essays:
Common App: 9/10, I connected how chess was like my life, showing how in chess, certain sacrifices must be made to win the game, just like teh sacrifices I ahd to make in life to win. Idk sounded cheesy but i thought it was good.

  • Supplements: 8/10. Idk I guess they were good.
    Teacher Recommendation #1:9/10, rec from tennis/TOK teacher who loves me.
    Teacher Recommendation #2: 8/10, rec from calculus teacher who saw my progression from a lazy ass to a hard working and successful student. He said he wrote something like that in the letter and he’s written rec for several kids who’ve gone to other ivy leagues so i guess it was good.
    Counselor Rec: 6/10, idk we don’t know each other that well so…
    Additional Info/Rec: none
    Interview: Didn’t get one.

Other

U.S. State/Territory or Country:FL
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket Range: 300k-500k.
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athlete, development): None. My dad got accepted to yale and columbia but my grandparents didn’t want to send him abroad from India LOL. Doesn’t count tho.

Reflection

Strengths: SAT, ACT, SAT II, extracurricular.
Weaknesses: My GPA could’ve been higher, i screwed up freshman year because i didn’t think anything mattered. Still did pretty good though.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:Probably my sat, act and extracurricular. Maybe my essay but idk.
What would you have done differently?: Taken school seriously in 9th grade but alas what can you do.
Where else did you apply? Accepted: UC Berkeley, Columbia, Yale, Cornell, Dartmouth, UF, GATech, John Hopkins,
Waitlisted: Stanford
Rejected: Harvard, Princeton (RIP)

General Comments & Advice: If you messed up in 9th grade and a little in 10th, it’s ok you will still have a high gpa if you take a bunch of ap classes offered at your school and do good in them. And even if you don’t get a good gpa, get a good SAT, ACT and do well on your SAT II tests. My freind has a 3.79 gpa, but a 1590 SAT, 36 ACT and 800 on both his SAT II subject tests and he got into the same colleges as me. If you’re a sophomore stressing because you have a 3,7 gpa right now, don’t worry. If you focus, get all A’s in all your classes in junior and first half of senior year and they’re all AP/IB classes then you’ll be fine.

5

Son’s Decision: Accepted

Objective

SAT I (breakdown): 1490 - took only for National Merit - did not send
ACT (breakdown): 35 composite (36, 35, 32, 36 - math was his low one)
SAT II: USHistory 790 - didn’t send others
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.98 (1 A-)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4th of 130 kids - they don’t use weighting when calculating rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): USHistory (5); Comp Govt (5); Stats (5); Micro (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:AP English, AP Macro, AP Physics; AP US Govt; AP Calc; Band; Other minor required stuff that rounds out his schedule.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.) - does National Merit Finalist count here?

Subjective

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cross Country, indoor track, outdoor track - on 4x800 team that set a school record, and both cross country and outdoor track won state championship for their division (Coaches award 2015; most improved 2016; co-captain of all three teams as a senior) HMUN; Yale Model Congress (best committee legislation award; best delegate on Presidential Cabinet); YMCA Youth in Govt. (character development award for NH); Student Council (president in 16-17); TV Quiz bowl (captain in 16-17)

Job/Work Experience: worked for a landscaper and does yard upkeep for private clients as well

Volunteer/Community service: Eagle Scout at age 16, plus one palm so far; senior patrol leader in 10th grade

Summer Activities: Advanced Studies program at St. Paul’s School - 2016; working and at Scout camp prior years

Essays: strong common app about “failing at baling” hay; others were just average; book list was amazing - and true!
Teacher Recommendation: Social studies was fabulous; other was unknown
Counselor Rec: strong - he’s also his cross country coach
Additional Rec: none
Interview: none
Other

Applying for Financial Aid?: YES - have another one at UChicago already
State (if domestic applicant): NH
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: rural public - only 35% of the boys go to a 4-year college or university
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 100K+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): grandfather was an alumnus - probably still counts for something, although he’s not a big donor

Reflection:
Why accepted? Absolutely no clue. It was his only Ivy and we all expected a rejection, thanks to the 6% acceptance rate. Personally I think that he might have been the only public school kid to get in from NH (so far everyone he’s met through Facebook has been from one of the two big boarding schools here). And being a public school kid from a rural area who is good a baling hay might just have done the trick. And he did have that one possible hook. Or maybe his was the name they pulled out of the hat.

6

**Decision: Deferred **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1500 (730 E, 770M), 2170 (660,750,670)
ACT (breakdown): 35 (34,35,35,35,29)
SAT II: 750 Math 2, 750 Spanish
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.94
Weighted GPA: 5.14
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 22/861
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 - English, Psychology, Statistics, Spanish, Human Geography. 4 - World History. 3 - US History
IB (place score in parenthesis):

Senior Year Course Load: Band, AP Macroeconomics, AP Chemistry, AP English, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Government

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, Scholarship with National Geographic Student Expeditions (1/20 nationwide), AP Scholar with Distinction, Texas Leadership Salute Finalist, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Scholarship

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Marching Band (Woodwind Captain, Principal Clarinet, Clarinet Section Leader, Squad Leader)
Jazz Band (Lead Saxophone)
Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (Principal Clarinet)
Photography Club (President)
Korean American Youth Leadership Program
Church Youth Group (Class Representative)
NHS, EHS, Spanish NHS, Science NHS, Mu Alpha Theta
Student Council

Job/Work Experience: Started my own photography/filmmaking business, bakery cashier

Volunteer/Community service: Built a PSAT curriculum for 9th/10th graders and taught tutoring classes at church on Saturday for 3hr/week. Volunteered at middle school clarinet camp. Organized events at local senior center for band ensembles to play.

Summer Activities: travelled to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands on a full scholarship with NatGeo ($10,000 value), road tripped to Grand Tetons, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountains, volunteered at clarinet camps, PSAT tutor at church

Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8, unique perspective on photography and how that allowed me to view life through a different lens

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1 (rating 1-10, details): 7/10, close Precal Gifted and Talented teacher, said best class she’s taught
Teacher Rec #2 (rating 1-10, details): 8/10, English teacher who really cares about his students and best teacher I’ve had
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details): 8/10, got close this past year and got on her good side
Additional Rec (if any) (rating 1-10, details): 7/10, National Geographic Student Expeditions Leader and teacher at New York Film Academy, said I was one of the best students he’s seen on one of those trips and we really clicked throughout the three weeks together
Interview (if any) (rating 1-10, details): didn’t have one

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Definitely
Intended Major: International Relations (Social Sciences)
State (if domestic applicant): Texas
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public (4000 total)
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: <75,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflections: Not a big surprise, was hoping for the best but expected the worst. It’s Columbia so I knew the chances were slim when I started
Strengths: Unique photography angle, National Geographic Scholarship
Weaknesses: Interview, Asian Male
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Asian, it’s really a crapshoot with schools like this.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Berkeley, NYU, OU, UT

General Comments (if any): Don’t waste too much time lurking on CC, it’s mentally unhealthy and damages your self-confidence. Each applicant is unique and brings something different and “comparison is the thief of all joy” so only focus on putting forth your best application without worrying about other people who have big national awards, valedictorian, all-world cellist, started their own non profit organization, and took classes at Harvard in middle school.

7

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

  • SAT I (breakdown): 770 M, 750 CR+W, 20 Essay
  • ACT (breakdown): 36 Composite, 35 English, 36 Math, 36 Reading, 36 Science,
  • SAT II: 800 Math II, 760 Chem, 760 Physics
  • Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98 UW, 4.61 W (scaling is subjective per school so don’t take this too seriously)
  • Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4th out of 230
  • AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Chem (5), AP Physics 1 (4), AP World (5), AP US History (5), AP Calc BC (5), AP Calc AB Subscore (5)
  • IB (place score in parenthesis): None
  • Senior Year Course Load: AP US Government, AP Literature and Composition, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP Physics 2, AP Biology, Multivariate Calculus, Linear Algebra
  • Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
    • Academic awards: AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholarship Program Letter of Commendation, Excellence in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences from the Society of Women Engineers (CT Section), Presidential Scholars Semifinalist.
    • Dance awards: Dance Teachers Club of CT Scholarship Winner (2010, 2012, 2013, 2015), DMA National Jr. Mr. Dance Most Talented Non-Finalist (2012), DMA Jr. Mr. Dance of CT (2012), Sophisticated Production’s Highest Scoring Solo (age 15 and under) (2013), DMA Teen Mr. Dance of CT (2014), DMA Tap Class Audition Scholarship 1st Place Recipient (2016), Numerous First Overall Solo and Group Awards (2010 – Present).

Subjective:

  • Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
    • Competitive Dancer (Senior Competition Captain) Tap: 10 Years, Ballet: 9 Years, Jazz: 9 Years, Hip-Hop: 7 Years, Contemporary/Modern: 7 Years
    • Nutcracker Ballet (I've played the role of Prince and Cavalier these past 3 years) (9, 10, 11, 12)
    • National Honor Society (Tutoring coordinator/tutor) (11, 12)
    • French Honor Society (Executive Officer) (10, 11, 12)
    • Seaperch (11, 12)
    • Math League (9, 10, 11, 12)
    • Varsity Tennis (4 singles, 3 doubles) (10, 11, 12)
    • Offered to produce music for small fashion lines
  • Job/Work Experience: None
  • Volunteer/Community service:
    • Assistant Dance Teacher Ages 9-14
    • Nutcracker Ballet Student Rehearsal Assistant
    • NHS Tutor, all subjects
    • Writing Center Tutor
    • Math Center Tutor
  • Summer Activities:
    • 4 Weeks of Dance Intensives/National Competitions
    • Helped build a dance studio/gym in my basement
    • Dance training
    • College Tours
    • Tennis
  • Essays (rating 1-10, details):
    • Common Application Essay Rating: 9?? I had my AP Lit teacher read it over, as well as a few friends. They all said it sounded really personal and unique while being memorable, but I couldn't judge myself accurately.
    • Columbia Supplement: I thought it was really good and unique. Solid 9
  • Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
    • Teacher Rec #1: AP Calc/Multivariate/Linear Teacher, Math Team Coach
  • I assume it would be very good as he knows my intense schedule in and out of school, my work ethic, my sense of humor, and my sociability.
    • Teacher Rec #2: AP Chem Teacher Same as Rec 1, with the addition of my love and curiosity of the natural sciences plus my drive and independence in the classroom.
    • Counselor Rec: Unknown, but she used to attend my dance studio? So maybe that helped. This was also her first year, so personal details may have been rough.
  • Additional Rec: None.
  • Interview: Straight Fire.

Other:

  • Applied for Financial Aid?: None.
  • Intended Major: Physics
  • State (if domestic applicant): Connecticut
  • Country (if international applicant): NA
  • School Type: Public
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Gender: Male
  • Income Bracket: Upper middle class
  • Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Male dancer?
  • Strengths: Test scores, extracurriculars, strong commitment to dance, national dance awards, rigorous course schedule, 3 independent studies in physics (shows initiative), interview was straight fire
  • Weaknesses: ??
  • Why you think you were accepted/rejected/waitlisted: Dance major, test scores, strong essay, unique, really connected to my interviewer.

General Comments: Probably going to end up at YPC

Other schools you applied to and their decisions:
Accepted: Williams, Swarthmore, Middlebury, Muhlenburg, William and Mary, Duke (likely letter), Columbia (likely letter), Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Cornell, NYU, Wesleyan, Amherst

Waitlisted: Tufts, Brown, Dartmouth, Stanford

Rejected: Harvard

8

**Decision: Accepted **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):
ACT (breakdown): 34—35 E, 31 M, 35 R, 34 S
ACT superscore (breakdown): Took it 3 times. Superscore is 34—36 E, 32 M, 35 R, 34 S
SAT II (subject, score): 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: N/A, school doesn’t compute. Probably around 4.4
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank, definitely around top 10
AP (place score in parentheses): Couple 5s, one 4. Doesn’t matter for admissions.
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: 4 APs
Number of other ED applicants in your school: 1 got rejected/deferred I think.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): Runner-up in a national award for extracurricular, not academic.
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): AP Scholar, that’s pretty much it.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description): Very involved in one extracurricular. Compete and participate in state-wide level, and as I said, won runner-up nationally. Milked this in essays too. Also did an internship related to my major and a little volunteering related to major.
Job/Work Experience: ^
Volunteer/Community Service: ^
Summer Experience: Internship + 2-3 community college classes that were in my interests, NOT replacing classes I’d have to take at school anyway.

Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):

Essays:

Teacher Recommendation #1: Incredible, 10/10
Teacher Recommendation #2: Didn’t read it, probably 5/10
Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, prob. 7.5/10
Additional Info/Rec: Didn’t read but prob. 10/10
Interview: Went fine. Only 30 mins or so and we just talked about the school mostly. It wasn’t as good as some others and we didn’t immediately “click.” The interview doesn’t matter much, though. Trust me.
Art Supplement: Sent pretty high-quality one

Other

Date Submitted App: Dec. 30 or so
U.S. State/Territory or Country: CA
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket Range: Upper-middle class. About average for a CU applicant.
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development):

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My answers to the questions about “Why Columbia?” and “What would you impact most in at Columbia?” (those aren’t the exact prompts, I forget what they actually say) were very strong and convincing. DON’T talk about the Core, or if you do, be sure to have a completely unique perspective. I would also caution against mentioning NYC whatsoever. Look deeply into your major and extracurricular interests and research those specific programs. I even talked to current students and found some details I couldn’t find on the website. I know my answers were super convincing because I sounded like I really knew the school (and I got to know it super well because of this research!)
What would you have done differently?:
Where else did you apply? Couple Ivies, but only got into Columbia. Got accepted to a few liberal arts colleges, but I’m committing CU!

9

**Decision: Waitlisted **

Objective:
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 2300 (770/740/800/8) only sitting
SAT II (subject, score): Math 2 - 800
Unweighted/Weighted GPA: 3.9 ish UW
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 5%
AP/IB (place score in parentheses): APUSH (4), AP Lang (4). AP Calc AB (5). AP Gov (5). AP Comp (5). AP Environmental (5).

Senior year course load:
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
AP Statistics
AP Economics
AP Literature

Awards:

  • AP Scholar with Distinction
  • National Merit Scholar Commended
  • Chosen as 1 of 8 teens nationwide for a major program (lots of publicity)
  • (2x) High school award in math and science - given to best student in each class
  • Yale essay contest 1st place
  • Two other, smaller online essay contests - finalist/top10 winner
  • second place in We The People state competition
  • High honor roll, NHS, etc.

Extracurriculars (exactly what is on my Common App):

  • Blogger for the Huffington Post
  • Co-Editor in Chief of school newspaper
  • Co-President of DECA business club
  • Co-Founder of a growing company (annual revenue projected around $15k-20k)
  • Published writer and journalist: fantasy novel published on Amazon, reporter for local newspaper, published in 4 literary magazines
  • Editor for a national high school literary magazine
  • Karate Black Belt (first degree)
  • Class Treasurer
  • AVID Tutor and Freshman mentor
  • Former waiter and housekeeper at a bed and breakfast, ongoing private tutor with 3 clients, former employee for a financial literacy website

Recommendations:
Good

Essays:
Pretty good

Other:
U.S. State/Territory or Country: competitive state
School Type: Very large public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket Range: No financial aid
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): Double legacy but applying RD sort of negates this hook supposedly

Strengths: ECs
Weaknesses: Scores and GPA
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think the peer recommendation helped me as well as the interview!
What would you have done differently?: Nothing
Where else did you apply?

Accepted: Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, UVA, and BC
Waitlisted: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Duke, and UChicago
Rejected: Princeton, Penn, Cornell, and Brown

10

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 1500 (didn’t send)
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):
ACT (breakdown): 35 (E 36 R 36 M 34 S 34 W 29)
ACT superscore (breakdown): single sitting ^
SAT II (subject, score): Literature 790 Bio 740 (can’t remember if I sent)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 97.5 (we only do 100 scale)
Weighted GPA: 103.42
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/162
AP (place score in parentheses): Lang (5) APUSH (5) Psych (5) Enviro (5, self-studied) Bio (4)
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: Hardest available, AP Lit, AP Calc AP, AP Physics 1, AP Art History, AP Spanish Lang
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.):
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): National Merit Commended (one point away from semifinalist… gotta love new jersey), Princeton Book Award, Bausch+Lomb Science Award, top in grade in Math every year, top in grade in English, science, and Spanish most years, AP Scholar with distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
Columbia Science Honors Program (10-12)
Junior State of America (10-12) politics/debate club, president for two years
Field Hockey (9-12) varsity captain
Math League (9-12) first place in school for two years
Science League (9-12) first place in school and region in grade 10
Spanish Honor Society (10-12) treasurer
NHS
Varsity Track (9-10)

Job/Work Experience:none

Volunteer/Community Service:
Friends of Rachel (9-12) VP
Relay for Life
Started an environmental group at the school and raised money to buy a hydration station

Summer Experience:
NJ Governor’s School
An environmental studies program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):

Essays: I really thought this is what would sell me. My common app essay was about SHP at Columbia and how it was the first time I was surrounded by peers who loved learning as much as I did. Everyone who read it told me it was perfect. My why Columbia essay was incredibly specific and the most truthful essay I’ve ever written. I talked about how in awe I was when I came to Columbia every week. I used specific examples about the flyers that caught my interest, the labs I’ve visited, and the books I’ve taken out from the library. My why major essay was very honest and passionate and also mentioned SHP. My lists were carefully curated over months and showed all of my diverse interests. I couldn’t have gotten more Columbia-specific, more passionate, or more honest.

Teacher Recommendation #1: My APUSH teacher. I had her for two years, she’s the adviser of JSA and also close friends with my mom. She wrote that I’m one of the best students she’s ever had and about how passionate I was.
Teacher Recommendation #2: My AP Bio teacher who led the environmental group I started. I ate lunch on her classroom every day last year. Spoke very highly of me.
Counselor Rec: Ok. Basically just I recap of my resume. I wish she would have talked about how I took an AP class as a sophomore which is unprecedented in our school or how I self-studied precalc and APES.
Additional Info/Rec: Gov school rec. Pretty short, wrote that I was the glue that kept my research team together.

I actually read all of my recs because my school releases them all to us in February. Not only were they all exceptional, my Rochester acceptance letter specifically mentioned how impressive my letters of recommendation were.

Interview: Bad. It was a skype interview that was less than 20 minutes long. He asked me 10 questions, I answered them pretty quickly, and then I spent the rest of the time asking him question after question trying to drag it out.

Other

Date Submitted App: December 25
U.S. State/Territory or Country: NJ
School Type: Small rural public school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket Range: Both my parents are teachers lol
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): I though my school type might be a hook but I guess not. We have less than a 50% four year college rate.

Reflection

Strengths: Scores, rank, I thought my essays.
Weaknesses: Interview. I guess I applied as a bio major and my bio scores are my lowest.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I don’t know.
What would you have done differently?: Applied ED. This is my biggest regret in the whole process. I didn’t apply anywhere ED. I didn’t think it would make a difference. I kind of hate myself for it.
Where else did you apply?
Accepted - Wesleyan, Wellesley, URochester, NYU, GW, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Rejected - Harvard, Yale, UChicago, Johns Hopkins

General Comments & Advice:
Honestly, heartbroken can’t even begin to describe my emotions about this. Columbia has been my dream school since 10th grade. At the back of my mind I always really, really thought I would get in. I can’t even begin to imagine what more I could have done. I work harder than anyone I know. I do more than anyone I know. People at my school don’t get into Ivies - I though I would be different. My parents and family are in shock. And not only did I not get into my dream school, I didn’t get into any of my top five choices. Not even a waitlist. I’m trying to talk myself out of a transfer mentality right now. I really want to love the schools I got into. But they’re not Columbia.

11

**Decision: Accepted w/ Likely Letter **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): Didn’t Take
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): Didn’t Take
ACT (breakdown): 32 (33 Superscore)
ACT superscore (breakdown): 34 English, 28 Math, 35 Reading, 36 Science
SAT II (subject, score): 720 Bio-M, 750 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.00
Weighted GPA: 4.60
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 7/455
AP (place score in parentheses): APES (4), AP Human Geography(4), AP Bio (5), AP World History (2, didn’t send), AP Chem (5), AP US History (4), AP Calculus AB, AP Literature, AP Language(didn’t take exam), AP Physics C E&M
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Band,Organic Chem, Microbiology, AP Physics, AP Calc AB, AP Lit, Internship,
Number of other applicants in your school: At least 4, maybe more
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): Intel Finalist (sent in an an update after submitting applicaiton)
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
-Research (9-12)- I was very invovled in research thorughout high school, competed in a variety of science fairs and selected to attend ISEF this May

-Color Guard (10-12)- Captain of the colorguard at my school, it is a year round team activity and we train and compete around Georgia, very time consuming

-Band(9-12)- Play flute in the concert band, no leadership

-Campus Ambassador (9-12)- President of school’s tour guide organization, we give tours to prospective students and other community groups

Job/Work Experience:Interning at a local animal hospital since August
Volunteer/Community Service: very minimal over the course of high school, currently volunteering with a therapy dog service and helping to train/care for the dogs (since August)
Summer Experience: Jackson Laboratory summer program this past summer (2016) completed independent research for two months last summer.

Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):

Essays: Common App (7/10??) Wrote about a unique experience at a summer program last summer, talked about finding my identity in a new environment and related it back to my experiences at home

Supplement (9/10): I worked really hard on these, edited them for over a month to make sure that were perfect, and got multiple people to read over them. Why Colubmia: talked about specific research I would like to do as well as organizations I would join and change. Why major: Just discussed why I chose neuroscience and also included a short blurb about why I wanted to minor in dance. Impact on Columbia: Talked about my experience in guard and how I want to bring that experience to Columbia’s dance community.

Teacher Recommendation #1: From 10th grade bio teacher, didn’t read but should be really good 8/10
Teacher Recommendation #2: From 11th grade research teacher, didn’t read but probably good 6/10
Counselor Rec: Probably Generic
Additional Info/Rec: Had an additional rec sent in by my summer research mentor, didn’t read and I don’t even know if it was considered or received
Interview: None
Art Supplement: None

Other

Date Submitted App: December 21
U.S. State/Territory or Country: GA
School Type: Public Magnet
Ethnicity: Black/ Carribean
Gender: Female
Income Bracket Range: ~75,000/ year
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): URM, Female in STEM (maybe?)

Reflection

Strengths: Grades, test scores, strong commitment to ECs (at least 3 years for all of them), URM
Weaknesses: Lack of community service?
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I feel as though I presented a really good “package” to the admissions office, I had the grades but I also showed strong commitment and passion towards a few activities and could thoroughly explain why I liked them, what they taught me, and how I would use those lessons at Columbia to better there campus.
What would you have done differently?: I got accepted so not much :))
Where else did you apply?: Accepted- Johns Hopkins, Northeastern, Penn, GA Tech, University of Georgia Rejected: Yale

Other Factors: I recieved a likely letter on Feb 20, however I was not aware any type of scholar status

General Comments & Advice: I AM SO HAPPY TO BE A LION!!! Columbia is my dream school, and I really believe all that extra work on my supplements really paid off. I cant wait to meet everyone! #ROAR2021

12

**Decision: Accepted (CC) **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 730/710/700
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 2140
ACT (breakdown): 28/31/30/27
ACT superscore (breakdown): 29
SAT II (subject, score): Math I 690, Chem 750, Chinese 610 (didn’t send lol)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: n/a
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1
AP (place score in parentheses): none (school doesn’t offer)
IB (place score in parentheses): none (school doesn’t offer)
Senior Year Course Load: Senior Chemistry, History, English (American Authors), Spanish. Online courses at state university: Calculus & Analytic Geometry I, General Chemistry II (finished all math at my high school),
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): n/a
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): National Merit Commended, Honor Roll, Valedictorian

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description): National Honor Society Chapter founder, President (all four years); Chinese Language Society (founder and only regular member ); low-level activism with the state Democratic Party which is not a huge thing in rural Mississippi…
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community Service: I live in a very rural area as my parents work at a remote military base, not many volunteering opportunities. Tutoring at my school, volunteering in China with my grandparents for two summers. “Volunteered” on a farm for a summer freshman year before I knew what volunteering was but they just used me as free labor.
Summer Experience: ^^

**Writing/b:

Essays: 10/10 - I wrote about hoping to be the first student at my high school to get into a college, and reflected on inequality and how out-of-place I’ve felt for my whole life living here. My school is very small and new (the old school that served my area was shut down for poor performance), and no one before me has gotten into any 4-year college from my high school (around 10 people apply each year). I could have gone to a high school or a private school in a nearby city, but my parents sent me to the local school because private school would have been very expensive, and I would either have to drive two hours or board there, and because competition at any of those high schools to get into college was a lot fiercer.

Teacher Recommendation #1: 10/10 Math teacher, I read it and she called me “the most brilliant person I have ever met in my life”
Teacher Recommendation #2: 9/10 English teacher, read after she submitted it, also really nice but said I’d make a fine doctor (not what I want to do and she didn’t seem aware med school is after UG anyway - d’oh!). There were also some weird comments about how she was afraid I wouldn’t know English when she first met me but I turned out to be her best student (actually my English is way better than my Chinese, see SAT II XD)
Counselor Rec: 5/10 Unfortunately apathetic, the counselor seemed annoyed he had to do this and didn’t know about the Common App or the process.
Additional Info/Rec:
Interview: I really enjoyed it! The interviewer was really nice but seemed to know everything! I felt intimidated since he brought up all kinds of things in current events and science and politics that I know nothing about, and seemed really puzzled that I didn’t know everything he did.
Art Supplement: n/a

Other

Date Submitted App: 12/20 (I think?)
U.S. State/Territory or Country: MS
School Type: Public rural
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: Male
Income Bracket Range: $100k
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): Rural, underrepresented school

Reflection

Strengths: Essay for sure!! Leadership (started clubs since my school didn’t have too many), being from a rural underperforming school
Weaknesses: Asian, no top awards
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Geography
What would you have done differently?: Nothing! Ha!
Where else did you apply? Harvard, Duke, University of Mississippi, University of Florida, all accepted

Other Factors:

General Comments & Advice:
I’m visiting right now, staying with a friend! NYC is so amazing!! See everyone at Days on Campus!

13

**Decision: Accepted (CC) **

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 730/800/800/12
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 2370 (770/800/800/12)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
ACT superscore (breakdown): N/A
SAT II (subject, score): Chem (790), Literature (770), Math IIC (800), Bio (740) (Not sent)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Weighted GPA: 4.4
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): ~60
AP (place score in parentheses): Calculus AB(5), Euro(5), Bio(4), Chem(4), Calculus BC(5), APUSH (4), Language & Composition(5),
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, APCS, AP Econ, AP Psych, French 4
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): N/A
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): NM Finalist, AP Scholar, Regional Science Fair 4th Place, debate tournament wins

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
Spelling Bee Program (10-12), founder, provides spelling bee programs in over 150 schools & 40 districts
SB District Mentor (10-12)
Policy Debate Team Captain (10-11)
3-year internship in optics lab (10-12)
Philosophy paper pending publishing (11-12)
Coauthor, physics paper (11)
Orchestra section leader (12)
Job/Work Experience: Web Designer (9-12), Debate Coach (11-12)
Volunteer/Community Service: Hospital Volunteer (10-11)
Summer Experience: debate camp (10,11)

Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):

Essays: 10/10 in general I tried super hard on these
Personal Statement: Talked about being abused by my mom and how the defining moment of losing my illusion of her (half good, half evil) was when she told me to “get over” being sexually assaulted in a YMCA locker room at 9
Columbia community: talked about food and its relation to culture, dinner circles at Columbia
Readings: philosophy mostly (foucault, derrida, khosravi, anzaldua, deleuze&guattari, lacan, heidegger)
Why Columbia: talked about cosmopolitanism and its effect on identity formation in my life
CC specific: started off with an immortal technique quote, talked about how my family struggled coming to america and how college degrees really mean little in the face of personal struggle and values, a motivation for merging “two americas into one”
Teacher Recommendation #1: 9-10/10 most likely, english teacher that i’m pretty close to
Teacher Recommendation #2: 7/10, chem teacher that i didn’t know too well
Counselor Rec: 8/10, probably pretty generic because i’m not too familiar with him
Additional Info/Rec: rec from my lab professor & rec from my philosophy professor at a local community college
Interview: none
Art Supplement: none

Other

Date Submitted App: 12/16/16
U.S. State/Territory or Country: CA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket Range: 100k+
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): first generation

Reflection

Strengths: I tried SUPER hard on the essays, got pretty solid recommendations
Weaknesses: stats, class rank
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: essays took typically generic topics and turned them into something else, personal statement was emotionally powerful
What would you have done differently?: maybe not get so many B’s on my transcript…lol
Where else did you apply?
Harvard ®
Princeton ®
Yale (Early R)
Penn (A)
Brown ®
Rice (A)
Stanford ®
MIT ®
Wash U ®
NYU (A)
Northwestern ®
Georgetown (WL)
UChicago (WL)
UC Berkeley (A), UCLA (A), UC Davis (A), UCSD (A), UCI (A), UCSB (A)
USC (A)
George Washington (A)

**Other Factors: **

General Comments & Advice:
START EARLY and DONT FINISH YOUR APPS THE DAY BEFORE – good luck to C/O 2022!

14

size=4][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted **[/color][/size]

[ b]Objective:[/b
]
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 2200 (640/780/780/8)
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 2260 (700/780/780/8)
ACT (breakdown): none
ACT superscore (breakdown): none
SAT II (subject, score): none
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): unknown
Weighted GPA: 4.51
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10%
AP (place score in parentheses): Spanish (5)
IB (place score in parentheses): English HL (6), Spanish A SL (7), History HL (6), Math studies (7), Bio SL (6), Theatre HL (7)
Senior Year Course Load: IB English HL, IB Spanish A SL, IB History HL, IB Math studies, IB Bio SL, IB Theatre HL, IB TOK
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 1 (waitlisted)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): none
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): National Merit Commendment, AAU Volleyball Academic All American (freshman year)

[ b]Subjective:**

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description): Student government (10th grade member, 11th grade president), Volleyball (started all four years of HS, all conference 9th grade, team captain 11th and 12th), Theatre (chorus member 11th, lead role 12th), Quiz Bowl (11th and 12th, one of 4 students from school selected to participate), Spanish Honor Society (12th), prom committee (11th)
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community Service: Spanish tutor, School Charity Color Run (head organizer/planner), volunteer at local film festival
Summer Experience: Northwestern National High School Institute Film Program 2016

[ b]Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):**
8/10

Essays:

Personal statement: I talked about art as a motivator for my life. Basically narrated the moment I realized that making art and films is what makes me most happy in life.

Columbia statement: I basically told them they weren’t even on my radar until I met some Columbia film grad students and saw the quality of their work. I name-dropped every grad student I knew and made very specific references to how their films educated and inspired me.

Teacher Recommendation #1: Good. Very specific to my creative talents and writing style.
Teacher Recommendation #2: Okay. More generic, focused on my overall strength as a student.
Counselor Rec: Good, she knew me well and loved my writing style.
Additional Info/Rec: A Columbia film graduate student who had taught me wrote me a really good letter about how well I would fit within the program. I think that was probably key.
Interview: None
Art Supplement: None

[ b]Other**

Date Submitted App: 11/4/16
U.S. State/Territory or Country: Indiana
School Type: Small competitive private IB international school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket Range: $120,000
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): none

[ b]Reflection**

Strengths: Columbia connections, specificity of my “Why Columbia?” and “How would I contribute?” sections. GPA, strength of lang, lit and humanities classes. Experience in the field I’m applying to.
Weaknesses: SAT, strength of STEM courses, my personal statement.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: 1. Columbia isn’t a top school for film studies, so the applicant pool is probably weaker than other programs within the University. I also knew nine Columbia film graduate students and mentioned as many of them as possible.
What would you have done differently?: Made my personal statement more original.
Where else did you apply?
-NYU: accepted
-DePaul: accepted
-Emerson: accepted
-Columbia College Chicago: accepted
-Northwestern: rejected

[ b]Other Factors: **

[ b]General Comments & Advice:** This was by far my most honest app. I pretty much never thought I would get in so I didn’t try to tell them what I thought they wanted to hear. I mentioned my love of Beyonce’s “Lemonade” and the fact that I read a lot of Vogue. I think you really need to be yourself with Ivy league apps because they read so many that if you aren’t being genuine you probably won’t be remembered. There will probably a ton of kids with your same stats, make sure your essays show the individuality of your voice and what makes you a good fit for their school.

15

This is pretty late but I hope it helps someone…

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1510 ( Reading and Writing 750, Math 760, does the essay matter? I don’t remember my score)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Math I 660, Physics 710 (not great, I know )
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis): 41/45
Senior Year Course Load: Higher Level: Physics, History, Economics.
Standard Level: Spanish (ab), English LL, Maths.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Amnesty International (Co-chair)
Student representative on the food and sustainability committee
TEDx organiser and speaker mentor
Member of school fundraising committee
School Choir
Job/Work Experience: 0
Volunteer/Community service:
Teacher’s Assistant at local pre-school
Business mentorship program with local youth
Tutoring
Other activities throughout high school… (about 100+ hours)
Summer Activities: Is studying an activity? IB is intense.
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App 8/10 - Wrote about how I thought my identities didn’t fit together and how I learned to be okay with that through TED Talks. The essay was nothing sensational but it was really really honest. Maybe that helped?
Columbia Community essay 7/8- Talked about community service and how it has changed my perception of the people around me and forced me to think beyond myself, linked that to JEEP and other service programs at Columbia.
Why Columbia 7/8- Wrote about being able to be in a place where people are actually excited/passionate? about what they are studying. Talked about the Human Rights concentration, research, internships, NYC and service programs and the sense that the opportunities/possibilities at Columbia seemed to build on themselves.

Areas of study 8 -This was my favourite one, talked about how I’d always been taught to be careful with language/be aware of nuance and linked that to studying English. But also talked about how I felt that language couldn’t solve everything so I needed to add Human rights /Poli Sci.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Counselor Rec: I can’t say I didn’t read it. But we had a decent enough relationship so I guess it was pretty average. So maybe a 7?

Teacher Rec #1: English Teacher, again didn’t read. She’s known me for a while and was also my drama teacher. She’s a great writer so maybe that also helped.
Teacher Rec #2: Physics teacher, and yes, I didn’t read this one either. But Again she’s taught me throughout high school so she knows me really well.
Additional Rec: None.
Interview: Didn’t have one.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yup.
Intended Major: English and Human Rights/Political Science.
State (if domestic applicant): Nope.
Country (if international applicant): Somewhere in Africa.
School Type: International, Private.
Ethnicity: As African as they come.
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 70000-ish.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None that I know of.

Reflection

Strengths: Some essays. Recommendations? I don’t really know.
Weaknesses: SAT IIs!!! Extra Curriculars aren’t stunning.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Honestly, I have no idea, I seriously thought they’d made a mistake. After getting my deferral from UChicago I started to question whether I’d get in anywhere at all.On the flip side though, that deferral made me work really hard on my other college essays.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Accepted: Brown, Hopkins, Smith.
Waitlisted: UChicago and Bates.
Rejected: Wellesley.
General Comments :
I think college admissions is meant to be a mystery. If things were different, if I’d applied in a different year, if my admissions officer was a different person then maybe the outcome wouldn’t have been the same. There are SO many variables. But either away I am beyond happy, I pretty much cried when I opened my decision. I never thought that this would ever happen to me and I’m so excited for the next four years.
To future applicants: Don’t pay too much attention to what other people are doing. Work hard, be honest in your essays, do the things that make you happy and see where that takes you. Don’t let a decision define you, you can/will do great things with your life wherever you end up

16

For my DD:

[color=green]Decision: Accepted[/color=green]

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): Didn’t take
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 34C (E 34, M 31, R 35, S 35) W 24
ACT superscore (breakdown): N/A - only took once
SAT II (subject, score): US History: 780; Literature: 740; French w/ Listening: 610 Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Weighted GPA: 4.2
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 35/357 (top 10%)
AP (place score in parentheses): AP English Language and Composition (5); AP United States History (5); AP World History (4); AP Lit (TBD)
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB, AP English Lit, AP Government, Economics, Photography (CA A-G fine arts req.), AP Biology, and TA.
Number of other EA applicants in your school: ?
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): None
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): AP Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
Class President - all four years
Mock Trial - 10th thru 12th grades
School board Youth Commission member – 10th thru 12th grades
Student school board member – one semester in 11th grade
Youth Leadership Committee for our city - 11th grade
Peer conflict resolution (invite only) - 11th and 12th grade
Job/Work Experience: None.
Volunteer/Community Service: Tutoring 10th grade, Bay Area Rescue Mission 11th grade and summer.
Summer Experience: School district scholarship recipient for Ivy League Connection, attended UPenn Social Justice Academy summer 2016.

Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):

Essays: Didn’t read but she’s a strong writer so I’m sure they were good
Teacher Recommendation #1: Didn’t read but I’m sure they were good as she has great relationships with her teachers
Teacher Recommendation #2: Didn’t read but I’m sure they were good as she has great relationships with her teachers
Counselor Rec: Didn’t read
Additional Info/Rec: N/A
Interview: None
Art Supplement: N/A

Other

Date Submitted App: Last possible minute lol
U.S. State/Territory or Country: CA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Mixed race, Caucasian and African American
Gender: F
Income Bracket Range: ~$75k
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): URM

Reflection

Strengths: ACT composite score, lots of leadership ECs
Weaknesses: ACT writing score; one SAT II score
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
What would you have done differently?:
Where else did you apply? Tulane accepted ($32k Presidential scholarship, Honors), Howard accepted (Presidential (full ride) scholarship), UCLA accepted, UCSB accepted (Honors), USC accepted (1/2 tuition Presidential scholarship + $1k merit), Fordham accepted ($32k Dean’s scholarship, Honors), George Washington accepted ($25k merit), Georgetown accepted, and UPenn waitlisted.

**Other Factors: **

General Comments & Advice: Major is political science.

17

ACCEPTEDDDD!!!

My profile is very different from most people who are accepted which means if yours doesn’t look like the “standard” Ivy League profile there is still hope! Columbia was my dream school and I got in after pushing myself to the limit. It was worth every minute of applying :slight_smile:

First of all, my scores are really bad

SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 1370 (Yep I am in the bottom 24% of all accepted applicants)
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): didn’t send
ACT (breakdown): didn’t send
ACT superscore (breakdown): didn’t send
SAT II (subject, score): didn’t send
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.85 (its okay)
Weighted GPA: 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):14.9%
AP (place score in parentheses): Japanese (5), the rest were 3s yikes
I took 8 AP classes in total
IB (place score in parentheses):0
Senior Year Course Load: I took a light course load to focus on my college and scholarship essays.
AP Stats, AP LA, Jazz, Orchestra, H Physics, and Projects in Computer Science

Number of other EA applicants in your school: I have no idea but me and two valedictorians are the only ones from my school who were accepted into Ivy Leagues for academics.

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): The national ones are Coca Cola Scholarship, Questbridge Finalist, LEDA Scholarship, Johns Hopkins CTY Scholar, then also a lot of local scholars programs, Berklee Global Jazz Institute Scholarship to attend camp, Young emerging musician award, YMCA Scholars, TSC Scholarship for fully paid trip to foreign country, other Music Scholarships, more scholars programs… I don’t remember all of them off the top of my head.

Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): National AP Scholar, Honor roll (in middle school, that was probably my peak academically I had a 4.0…)

[ b]Subjective:**

Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description): Founded two student organizations (One dealing with coding for girls and the other empowering multiracial students), Student board member of local non-profit, Student Ambassador of a different non-profit for jazz, lead soloist for top jazz band and played gigs around the world
Job/Work Experience: Kumon for a year and then I quit
Volunteer/Community Service: 400+
Summer Experience: Johns Hopkins Summer Institute, Music camps, Non profit work, Internship at cloud tech company, touring for music

[ b]Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):** 10/10

Essays: The essays I sent when I applied ED were pretty bad so then after I got deferred I rewrote EVERYTHING and then I got in. The essays from the second time around were helllaaa good. It made my readers cry.

Teacher Recommendation #1: Hella Good, pretty sure I was his favorite student.
Teacher Recommendation #2: Pretty good!
Counselor Rec: I think it was pretty good, he knew my name which was impressive
Additional Info/Rec: hecka good! I had a total of 5 letters of rec all from different perspectives.
Interview: No interview
Art Supplement: Music and drawing/painting

[ b]Other**

Date Submitted App: Actually got deferred the first time but then I got in regular
U.S. State/Territory or Country:WA
School Type:Public

Ethnicity: Asian and Black

Gender: Female
Income Bracket Range: poor >60,000

Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development):
I didn’t get in BECAUSE I am low income and a person of color. I got in DESPITE the fact that I am low income and a person of color.
Not being able to afford tutoring or lessons and constantly having to go above and beyond overachieving to prove that I was equal and as intelligent as my classmates lead me to force myself to motivate myself to getting into where I am today. Also keep in mind the Coca Cola National scholarship which is a pure merit scholarship has an acceptance rate of 0.001% which is lower than Columbia’s 4.5% for regular decision so I deserve my spot just as much as everyone else who got accepted.

[ b]Reflection**

Strengths: Essay, Creative way of sending updates, extra curriculars, Awards
Weaknesses: SAT and GPA were really bad
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Probably because after I got deferred I annoyed the crap out of admissions. I kept on sending them emails of my newest updates and achievements, I kept on calling their office and made sure my second and completely redone application was received and read. We were pretty much weekly pen pals.