possible ED, chances at columbia?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>thanks guys.
i want to apply early decision to columbia.</p>

<p>Female
Korean-American
English first language</p>

<p>GPA:
-3.92 unweighted
-42/482 rank (top 9% or so)
-our school is competitive, but does not offer many ap courses. i took the most challenging classes our school has to offer. received B's in geometry (9th), euro history (10th), and chemistry (10th). i can understand the history one but i can't undrestand the math and science... i'm actually very good at math and science. i got all A's junior year with a challenging course load.</p>

<p>TESTS:
-SAT I (Critical Reading 710, Math 790, Writing 730), multiple sittings, 2230. highest composite single sitting: 2170.
-SAT II (Biology E 650 - going to retake, Math II 800, Spanish 730)
-ACT 34
-AP Statistics 5</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS:
- district-wide research internship program at comprehensive cancer center, 14 students selected in the city, 35 hrs/week 11 wks/summer. currently working on poster, research paper for competitions. internship previous summer in chemistry lab also, 10 hrs./wk
- violin 5 years, 10 hrs/week, 50 wks/yr. state youth symphony orchestra, school orchestra, city chamber group, private lessons.
- design graphics 2-3 years, 10 hrs/week, 35 wks/yr., yearbook editor-in-chief, received school yearbook scholarship, wisconsin art education association regional art show "best in show (first place)"
- peer tutoring, 2-3 yrs at school volunteering to help freshmen and sophomores in their classes, 3 hrs./wk, 35 wks/yr., tutoring korean children in english since age 10, last summer tutored 4 kids 15 hrs./wk.
- piano 6 yrs., 10 hrs./wk for the sheer joy of playing, no awards or membership
- class council 3 yrs, 1-2 hrs./wk, 35 wks/yr, head of food drive/twirp committee
- freshman advisory 12th grade, 5 hrs./wk, 35 wks./yr
- senior citizen 12th grade, 5-6 hrs./wk, 35 wks/yr
- health occupational students of america, 1 hr./wk, 35 wks./yr, helped organize hiv/aids awareness week</p>

<p>HONORS/AWARDS:
-national honor society
-spanish honor society
-probable national merit semifinalist? (217)
-2005 wisc art education association regional art show first place
-west yearbook scholarship
-varsity math award</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER:
-univesrity hospital, 4 hrs./wk 30 wks./yr, 2 yrs.
-senior center, 4 hrs./wk 30 wks./yr, 1 yr
-peer tutoring at school, 3 hrs./wk 35 wks./yr, 2-3 yrs.</p>

<p>OTHER:
my asian-american status puts me at a disadvantage, but my mom is a waitress and my dad has been unemployed for a very long time.. he has never had a real job in his field (archaeology) and we are living way below poverty level. he graduated from brown and u wisconsin-madison. i need a full scholarship anywhere i can get it, otherwise i can't go to college.</p>

<p>i dont know if i forgot anything.
thanks so much for helping me out guys i really appreciate your help. do you think it would be okay for me to apply early decision?</p>

2

<p>also, i think my financial situation may give me an advantage because i have not been able to do countless extracuriculars that i have wanted to do. i have had to quit many. do you think this is true?</p>

3

<p>Since admissions are need-blind they won't be able to correlate your EC activity to your family's financial situation. Maybe you ought to structure your essay around the struggle to participate in them under duress?</p>

4

<p>I would argue against that idea: essays should be about a positive topic and radiate a positive outlook.</p>

5

<p>It could be structured as "triumphing against the odds".</p>

6

<p>many people have told me that colleges will look at my financial background and my parents' lives, to judge my application. i think that they may see that i have not had nearly as many opportunities as the average middle class white female and take that into account.
thanks for the essay suggestion.... overcoming my struggles? i'll consider it.</p>