RD Columbia (Engineering)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Note: I'm applying to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. I only listed the ECs and awards that will be going on my app. Hopefully, that makes this post less like a laundry list</p>

<p>Personal[ul]
[<em>]Location: Long Island, NY
[</em>]High School Type: Public, sends 1-2 kids to Ivy League schools each year
[<em>]Class Size: ~700
[</em>]Ethnicity: Chinese
[<em>]Gender: Male
[/ul]Stats[ul]
[</em>]SAT: #1 - 2230 (680 CR, 750 M, 800 W); #2 - 2360 (770 CR, 800 M, 790 W) Superscore 2370
[<em>]SAT II: 760 Math I, 790 Chem, 780 U.S. History
[</em>]GPA: 4.6 W
[<em>]Rank: School doesn't rank but 9 or 10/~700
[</em>]APs (to date): World History (5), U.S. History (5), Chemistry (5), English Lang. (4)
[/ul]Subjective[ul]
[li]Essay: It's a risk and it's still being revised and polished. Please anyone PM me if you'd like a read. I wrote about being Asian but trying to avoid the stereotypes of Asian American students that I personally feel are true for the most part. Much of it is also on overcoming shyness and trying to be more outgoing.</p>[/li]
<p>[<em>]Teacher Recs: One from history teacher is amazing, I didn't read the one from my math teacher but she loves me so it should be good.
[</em>]Counselor Rec: No idea to be honest, but I'm on good terms with her
[<em>]Supplements: Thinking about sending something in but I don't know
[</em>]Hook: I'm a fairly accomplished musician, if that counts
[/ul]Extracurriculars[ul]
[<em>]Awards[list]
[</em>]NMEA All County Honors Orchestra Div. IV/V (2008-09)
[<em>]Long Island String Festival Honors Orch. (2008-2009)
[</em>]Rensselaer Medalist Scholarship (I figured this would help since I'm applying to the School of Sciences and Engineering
[<em>] AP Scholar with Honor
[</em>]??* (Not sure what to put for a fifth one. I want to put Tri-M Honor Society to show that I'm musically incline but would that count as an award or recognition?)
[/ul]//
[<em>]School-related Activities[ul]
[</em>]My school's Chamber Orchestra (9,10,11) - Concertmaster
[<em>]Massapequa Science Discovery Fair (9,10,11) - Judge
[</em>]Tri-M Music Honor Society (10,11,12)
[<em>]Science Research (9,10,11)
[</em>]SADD - "Safe Halloween" (9,10)
[<em>]National Honor Society (11,12) - Tutor
[/ul]//
[li]Outside Activities[ul][/li][</em>]Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of NY (9,10,11)
[<em>]NYSSMA Music Festival (9,10,11,(12?))
[</em>]Gemini Youth Orchestra (9)
[<em>]Most meaningful activity: Metropolitan Youth Orch. I wrote about how I had the opportunity to play multiple concerts in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and how it will hopefully be the bridge from HS level playing to college level playing for me.
[/ul]//
[li]Jobs[ul][/li][</em>]I'm kind of at a loss for what to put here. I dogsit/house-sit occasionally for a family friend for pay, but that's really it. Will it hurt me that I don't have a job?
[/ul]//
[<em>]Summer Activities[ul]
[li]This summer: Traveled alone/without family for the first time. It was nothing big, just went to florida for a few weeks and stayed at a friends house. Nonetheless, it was a big jump for me. [/li][li]Last summer: participated in Long Island University's summer chamber music festival program. Talked about masterclasses with famous violinists, watching concerts by the Imani Winds and The Pierrot Consort[/li][/ul][/list]
Other[ul]
[</em>]I haven't visited campus yet but plan to in the future
[li]Does Columbia value ECs that are diverse and spread out across tons of clubs and activities or one or two well developed ECs? Hopefully it's the latter because I wasn't super involved in 500 different clubs at my school, that's for sure[/li][/ul]</p>

<p>Hopefully, this is easy to read for you guys. Thanks! And I'll chance you back if you want.</p>

2

<p>most likely…In
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816397-chance-me-i-really-hope-you-dont-know-me.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816397-chance-me-i-really-hope-you-dont-know-me.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Columbia’s a very selective school and truthfully it’s a reach for nearly everyone, but I would say that you have a better chance of getting in than most other applicants. I foresee only one problem - you’re applying to the engineering program but your ECs show an intense interest and focus in music (though the rest of your credentials indicate skill in math and science). You could try, in your essay, expressing how science has helped you appreciate music more and how it’s been such a huge part of your life, but unless you come up with something creative, your focus might seem a little muddied.</p>

4

<p>Thanks. Yeah, I probably won’t go for the science meets music essay approach since I’ll probably fail miserably. I’m visiting Columbia really soon so I’ll be sure to ask what they look for in Engineering applicants. Hopefully, it won’t look bad to them that I’m more focused around music than science.</p>

5

<p>Bump? Wow, this board is moving so fast today. I WILL chance back</p>

6

<p>I’d say probable…highly probable 8)</p>

<p>chance back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816537-you-chance-me-i-chance-you.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816537-you-chance-me-i-chance-you.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>I think that you have a really solid chance, as all of your stats seem to be right on, but being Asian-American could hurt. Other than that, you’re a solid candidate for any school you choose!</p>

8

<p>I believe the music focus will be a huge positive in your application, and will set you apart from many/most of the other engineering applicants. I would not worry about trying to “connect” music with science/math.</p>

9

<p>Yea, Columbia likes applicants with musical talent, considering your stats are so stellar, you are probably in.</p>

10

<p>Bump 10char</p>

11

<p>Your application sounds great – a definite competitor, but I would warn you against the Asian essay. Adcoms will either hate it (because they’ve read about the topic a lot) and hold it against you, or plow through it. I’d be willing to read through it and give an overall viewpoint of it.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816237-please-chance-me-upenn-few-others.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816237-please-chance-me-upenn-few-others.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

12

<p>I think you have a very good chance. Great scores, very solid ECs. Did you write about music in your essays? I think that factor will take you a long way. Best of luck!</p>

13

<p>Looks very solid to me. I would say a good essay will complete your application.</p>

14

<p>Bump. I want to find a way to work music in but I haven;t yet. Maybe I’ll slip it into my personal essay but I dunno yet. I still have a while to edit and revise</p>

15

<p>Looks like a low reach/high match
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816994-chances-will-return.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816994-chances-will-return.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

16

<p>You have good stats, and strong ECs! But they don’t really have anything to do with your major though they are amazingly stellar. So its hard to say. I have no idea if they will view it in a positive light to see your passion outside of schoolwork, or percieve that engineering is not a major that really has much interest to you. Either way, I’m leaning toward a high match to mid reach. Best of Luck! :D</p>

17

<p>I would say that having a passion for something outside your major is a good thing. Your teachers will be able to tell the adcoms on your academic interests so definately try to put music somewhere in your application.</p>

18

<p>Good fit in Columbia, since you’re good in both music and science (chemistry). Focus and narrow into Chemical Engineering and the applications of music into your area of interest, and you’ll most likely be in!</p>