Please chance!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Chance please? :)
My cousin is applying to Columbia and would like to know where she stands. Input is greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>South Asian female living in Canada. Competitive public school, 1500+ kids. At least 1-2 go to Ivies each year.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8 with hardest classes
SAT: 2250
APs: Calc (11 - 5), Psych (11 - 5 self study), bio 12, chem 12, physics 12, English 12, French 12 (all that are offered... Only offered in gr 12 but she skipped a year in math for calc) </p>

<p>This year as a senior she is taking math at the local uni since she's done hs math.</p>

<p>In grade 9 she went to a mediocre, very small school. No clubs. They wouldn't let her start any and there was little student interest. Grade 10 she switched to the other school.</p>

<p>ECs:
Volunteer at library 50+ hrs in grade 9 (children's activities and stuff like that)
Taught language classes for kids at place of worship (9-11)
Hospital volunteer 150ish hours (10-12)
Volunteer and leader at random school events (10-12)</p>

<p>Part of mentorship program that matched hs students with medical students so they could learn about pursuing a career in medicine and skills development (10) youngest participant</p>

<p>Volunteer tutor (10-12)</p>

<p>Young scientists club (10-12), participated and placed in regional competitions</p>

<p>Global Issues club (10, shut down afterwards) - organized fundraisers, can drives, etc and raised awareness for issues</p>

<p>DECA, debate club, wrote some stuff in school newspaper (11-12)</p>

<p>Started a community service club that raises funds and awareness for the advancement of education in 3rd world countries. Designed webpage for it so it could be a community outreach. Collaborated with other organizations. Started mentorship program at local k-8 school for kids to start their own fundraisers, etc with the help of hs students. (started in 11)</p>

<p>Fundraised for Canadian Cancer Society (10)
Volunteered in university research lab (11-12)
Kumon employee (12)</p>

<p>Started chapter of Canadian Cancer Society's youth team at her school and led various efforts in fundraising and awareness (11-12). Organized relay for life team for schlol.</p>

<p>Youth symposium at place of worship - 2nd place regional speech 2010-11. Asked to speak about religious issues for the masses (non competitive).</p>

<p>Currently working with an established program regarding world languages (12).</p>

<p>She is also trying to start a volunteer based tutoring group for younger kids that also links them to community service and activities (keeps them away from negative things... needed in downtown area).</p>

<p>How do these stats look? Is there anything she should have done differently? She got 80% in gr 11 math in gr 10 at her new school because her old school was too behind and the new one is beast at math lol. Will this hurt her a lot? Even with AP calc score 5? And the uni course? </p>

<p>Are the ecs ok? Anything super duper wrong that she should leave out, or is it ok? Thanks so much</p>

2

<p>bumpppp pleasee</p>

3

<p>Your “cousin” is an “appropriate” applicant for Columbia. The reason I use that term is that the Ivies attract a large number of applicants who shouldn’t be applying.
Imagine yourself with good but not great grades and good but not great SATs. And the Princeton Review tells you that the acceptance rate is about 5 percent. What the heck, it’s only $70 of your parents’ money. There’s a one-in-twenty chance you might get in, so send it in. The problem is that at your end of the scale the chances are really nil unless you are a URM or have a special (underrepresented) skill. The people at the extreme upper end have a 75% chance. The 5% is not evenly spread over the applicant pool, but people who shouldn’t, send in their money, and the university doesn’t discourage it.
Your cousin’s chances are still probably less than 50%, but they are not zero. None of the posters here can give you an exact number, but your cousin should not be discouraged from applying</p>

4

<p>I wouldn’t recommend applying.
2 APs…really only 1 (psychology hardly counts lol) spells trouble</p>

5

<p>^ APs are only offered in grade 12 in her school, apparently. The fact that she skipped a grade to take Calc and self-studied Psych is actually a point in her favor.</p>

6

<p>She will be competing with kids who have taken 10+ APs though.</p>

7

<p>Oh lol I just noticed I didnt make the APs very clear.
They’re only offered in gr 12, and she took the following APs: Bio, Chem, Physics C, English, French. The only other one offered is Calc and she took that in grade 11 (BC) and self-studied psych for fun. 5 on all exams.
And since she has no math in grade12, she’s taking it at the university instead.</p>

8

<p>Sounds like she is very qualified! The fact that she’s from Canada might be a downfall though. Since she is international, they’re gonna look for very very exceptional students for international admission. Her SATs are prolly decent enough though not extremely high. Same with her GPA - high but not super impressive. Her ECs and academics are exceptional, though! Seems like she is a great leader and is trying super hard. I’d say she has like a 50-50 shot really. It’s very hard 'cause of the international thing. Plus, it doesn’t sound like she’s received many awards. But still. Anything can happen! Maybe Columbs is looking for girls like her! Good luck (I’m applying, too) :).</p>