<p>Hi, I am entering my senior year this September so as most rising seniors, I am currently working on college essays and deciding on which schools to apply to. </p>
<p>I put together a list back in early June, but I'm still considering adding more schools to that list. My dad's pushing me to apply to Columbia University, but I really really doubt that I'll get accepted. </p>
<p>People keep telling me the same encouraging things like "you never know" and "there's no harm, so why don't you apply?" Yeah, there's always a chance I can get in, but I don't want to waste time and money applying if my chances are, let's say, 5% or lower.</p>
<p>What ARE my chances of getting accepted if I apply to Columbia? I'm not expecting a specific percentage. I'd just like someone to tell me my strengths and weaknesses and, based on those, say whether or not I should apply.</p>
<p>Grades:
-a mixture of A's and B's, but a lot of B's
-I've taken honors classes since 9th grade and I;m taking 2 AP's (Physics and Psychology) this school year.
-Grade trends: I did decently freshman and pretty well sophomore year. Junior year-my GPA didn't change much from sophomore year, but my grades in main subjects were not good.</p>
<p>Extra curricular activities:
-Orchestra, band
-volunteering at a nearby hospital and at a local park
-Model UN (one year)
-my school's stage crew</p>
<p>SATs
I'm taking them again in October, but as of now my highest score is a 2070
CR-650
Writing-720
Math-700</p>
<p>Very low, your SAT isn’t good but not awful it won’t kill you but the SAT is not the thing that is the worry. Below Columbia standards however. Your ECs are not very impressive, FOR COLUMBIA. Your GPA/Class Rank (btw what is it) seem low FOR COLUMBIA.
But that just it, you’re a good applicant for many other top schools jus maybe not top top schools like the top 20. Give it a shot because you never know. It could be the mistake of your life, but I think your chances are pretty low. there’s still a small chance nonetheless.</p>
<p>I just think that you’re application is pretty good, and it’s true that you never know. So there really isn’t harm in trying for it. College admissions are that capricious, I’m not gonna say your chances are good, but I agree you should try. (just explaining myself because I just reread your intro)</p>
<p>You probably won’t get accepted into Columbia, TBH. I’m kinda in the same situation as you, with a 3.5 UW GPA and a 34 ACT, and I’m aiming for schools such as Ohio State, UIUC, etc.</p>
<p>I know some students who didn’t even have 600’s on two of their SAT sections who got into and are doing fine at Columbia. Scores aren’t everything. They matter, but are not the be all and end all. Even students with crazy high scores (SAT and GPA) don’t get in. There are only so many spots available. If I was you I’d take a shot. The common app and columbia supplement will take some time and there is a fee to pay, but you never know, they may want someone like you thins year. They need to “create” a class and you don’t know what they’re looking for. Just do it… :)</p>
<ol>
<li>you dont apply, you regret it</li>
<li>you apply, get rejected, you regret it, but you still applied</li>
<li>you apply, get accepted, do happy dance</li>
</ol>
<p>If you get accepted and go, you’ll have some very specific requirements to meet. Some schools have minimal or very loosely defined course requirements, but Columbia is the opposite. Is that how you want to spend your college time? (Some people do.)</p>
<p>Your chances look close to none. Test scores aren’t competitive and grades aren’t good enough either, especially since you have only taken 2 APs (unles your school doesn’t offer more).</p>
<p>I dont think it’s worth applying. Yes, scores and grades aren’t everything but they get your foot in the door and a serious competitor. Your scores and grades are not doing that however. </p>
<p>Cool, you applied but you or your parents also wasted money applying (and time). Unless you have a significant hook (underprivileged URM, recruited athlete, son of major donor) I really doubt you’ll get accepted.</p>
<p>Competitive applicants typically have a mid 2200 SAT or higher and are in at least the top 5% of the class.</p>
<p>My weighted GPA is 3.71. Sorry, I forgot to include that info.</p>
<p>Thanks Wordworker for bring my attention to what my life would be if I did get accepted. The idea of losing days of sleep to survive in my classes and constantly feeling inferior to my smarter classmates doesn’t sound like a happy college life to me. </p>
<p>Yeah, I’m not applying to Columbia. My one fear is that I’ll regret not trying, but I’m not wasting money and time to apply just because I’m afraid that I’ll regret later. </p>
<p>Thank you for all the replies! Not a lot of encouraging information, but at least I confirmed what I already knew.</p>
<p>I mean I would say you have a 10% shot, but if your dad wants you to apply and he’s paying for it, go for it. At least you applied and you could get lucky.</p>
<p>Contrary to the comments above me, I DO NOT THINK THAT APPLYING TO COLUMBIA IS A GOOD IDEA. I think that you have a very good idea of where you’re at with your stats. Most other people refuse to admit that they don’t have a chance, I think your modesty to yourself will go a long way. If you were to apply for Columbia, you would apply early yes? Well knowing that you have a very slim chance at getting into Columbia, I would not waste that ED spot. You have done MUN (if only for one year). Do you have any interest in International relations, politics, or law? You could ED into Northwestern and EA into Georgetown, and I think that would offer better chances for you (and those are both excellent colleges btw). In the end, its your choice, not your fathers. Make good choices though!</p>
<p>I think it depends on what YOU want. Coming from someone who has spent a lot of time looking at Columbia, I have to ask: Do you want to go there because you love specific things about the school, or just because it’s Ivy League? If you really, honestly want to go to Columbia because it’s Columbia then I think that will be reflected in your application and automatically give you a better shot. Your chances right now are slim, but it’s true that you never know and maybe there’s something special about you that isn’t reflected in this thread. However, if you just want to apply so that you can say you applied to an Ivy League, I say don’t bother.</p>