<p>I think the only thing that’s really intimidating about my profile is the stats. I test well; that’s my schtick.</p>
<p>There are many things that are MORE IMPRESSIVE to an admissions committee than shiny test scores. Chief among them:</p>
<p>(1) Consistent track records. One such track record would be a track record of hard work at academic learning. If you don’t have that (low GPA), perhaps you at least have (A) a track record of aggressively pursuing the toughest available classes - the most # of APs, some college courses, online courses - even if you can’t always get the A’s, you can at least show a passion for learning. If you simply have too many other priorities besides just your classes, you could (B) show a track record of pursuing your extracurricular passions, be they sports, research, community service, quasi-academic activities and clubs, or even business.</p>
<p>(2) Excellence. There is an urge in some people that for whatever they choose to pursue, they feel a drive to be the absolute best in it that they possibly can. I first felt that about classical piano, hardly a world-shattering undertaking. Many others, who were far stronger applicants than I, showed excellence in their particular passion. They may have won awards, they may have been recognized by the community, they may have recommenders who glowingly talked about how this applicant has a “fire in their belly” about a particular issue and has driven towards goals and achievements with single-minded purpose. By whatever method it gets demonstrated, excellence is tremendously appealing to Columbia and other schools like it. </p>
<p>Excellence in video games is hardly going to make anyone sit up and take notice, granted. But the same efforts put forward by someone who is passionate about throwing parties or being the most popular person they can be, might well find themselves equally able to muster that passion for something that Columbia would take more seriously - say, passion to show leadership with the campus community, with their local town community, with service organizations, or any other effort involving people. Someone who loves to read books might find equally appealing the opportunity to do some academic research, become an expert on a subject, and advance their learning with other experts. An urge to excellence, channeled through “productive” activities (i.e. something that demonstrates future potential for success), is tremendously appealing.</p>
<p>Columbia will take someone every time who has shown leadership in something meaningful - DESPITE a 3.5 GPA, or DESPITE a lack of truly stellar test scores - over someone like me who looks flashy, looks like a renaissance man, but hasn’t gotten down and focused on things long enough to truly make a difference. That’s how you get in with a low GPA - show a track record, or excellence, at something meaningful. And you’ll keep beating the 17-year-old Denzeras of the world for an admissions spot, because frankly you’ll be a better applicant, no matter what my test scores might’ve said back then.</p>