Should i bother applying????

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I am an International student, currently studying 12th Grade in a school which follows Indian curriculum CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education).</p>

<p>Course : Mechanical Engineering</p>

<p>I don’t have GPA grading in my school. The grading is purely based on marks obtained:
9th - 85% (maths-A, science-A, social studies-A, English-B, Hindi-B):):)
10th - 90% (maths-A, science-A, social studies-A, English-A, Hindi-B) :):):)
11th – 72%(maths-C, physics-A, chemistry-B, computer science-A, English-A)</p>

<p>I had also received a scholarship in grade 11 due to my academic excellence in grade 10. It is only offered to students who have passed out of grade 10 with really high grades in the Central Board of Secondary Examination. Approximately every year around 10 students receive such a scholarship.</p>

<p>Rank : Top 10%
Courseload : Most rigorous - highest offered by the school</p>

<p>ACTIVITIES :
1) Attended the Global Young Leaders’ Conference (GYLC) in Washington/New York this year.
2) Swimming
3) Singing
4) Made Robot for science exhibition which uses sensors to travel through a maze and then using LED’s to show the intensity of the light in its path.
5) Made a presentation on Periodic Table for the Science Exhibition in Grade 9 and a presentation on Tessellation for the Maths exhibition.
6) Helped the team in coming 3rd in an inter-school robot competition
7) Information Head in the school Anti-Smoking Committee in which a presentation is going to be made to the Grade 9 and 10 students on the Harmful effects of smoking, why we smoke, how to stop smoking and the harmful chemicals present in cigarettes and cigars.
8) Participant in the Duke of Edinburgh Scholarship Program
9) Certificate of distinction in the Green Olympiad which is an Olympiad based on knowledge of the environment.
10) I have been learning Indian Carnatic Music vocal for over 10 years and have given a 2 and half hour concert. Apart from this i have also received the First Class Distinction in the Carnatic Music Vocal Junior Exam (which is pretty tough to get).
11) I have also been learning Carnatic Music violin for over 4 years and have recently won 3rd place in the Inter-House Talent contest held in my school.
12) Recently participated in the Computer Olympiad.</p>

<p>SAT SCORES:
MATH - 730
CR – 600 :(
W - 640 :(</p>

<p>SAT II Scores:
P - 710 :(
C - 740 :(
M - 650 :(:(:( (don't know how the hell did this happened.....was expecting above 700)</p>

<p>Can't say much about the essays because i feel they are good but it depends on the adcoms view point.</p>

<p>The teacher and guidance counselor recommendations to the other universities are awesome so i hope they write the same for UColumbia. </p>

<p>In my math teacher's recommendation he states that even though i got only a C in maths, my overall marks are very good in comparison with the class and that i have the logical and analytical skills that are very essential for the subject</p>

<p>I know my stats are pretty low even for an international student. But i wanted to know if UColumbia was a reach or a super reach. And does UColumbia offer any interviews, if it does then i might go for one.</p>

2

<p>Interviews are by-availability-only, and are assigned based on whether interviewers are available in your home area.</p>

<p>Columbia is a reach for you. The best way to improve your chances would be to pick a particular aspect of your application, and clearly emphasize it, in your personal statement or why-columbia blurb or in any other creative means you can design. Show a particular passion for something you've had success in, and do your research for Why-Columbia.</p>

3

<p>thanks for the advice.......i am planning to send a file on my robot project and also am going to emphasize about my Carnatic Classical Music because this is one thing that diffrentiates me from other candidates</p>

<p>Again, thanks for the advice</p>

<p>Anyother advice would be appreciated</p>

4

<p>haha Denzera is MOSTLY right- except Columbia is generally a reach for everyone (unless you are TRULY outstanding). But yea, it is more on a bit more difficult side for you. Try Fu Foundation, you stand a MUCH better chance.the 72% average in 11th grade will hurt... a lot. just my 2 cents. but apply anyway unless the app fee is a financial burden.</p>

5

<p>i am applying to the fu foundation school of engineering and applied sciences coz i wanna do Mechanical Engineering....i know that my grade 11 scores will hurt me but i do follow the most rigorous curriculum</p>

<p>Can i send in a CD of my Carnatic Music Concert or is it not allowed by UColumbia</p>

6

<p>It is a lot harder to make 72% in Indian board exams than get straight 4.0 at some schools. Believe me, I know! I think as you are in India, you may want to take an extra year studying for the SATs and improving you EC activities.</p>

7

<p>truazn8948532 is totally wrong about it being easier to get in to Fu (SEAS). The SAT average in SEAS is higher than Columbia College, indicative of the self-selection process for SEAS. I think his scores are too low for an Indian Male applying to SEAS--Indian Male SEAS SAT average should hover right around 1500 (out of 1600) if not higher. If it were a girl, the scores would not be so bad.</p>

<p>Edit: I totally believe that Indian board exams must be brutally hard, and it could easily be a 4.0 at some schools. But as sristi said, the SATs are low for your demographic which would make SEAS an uphill battle to say the least.</p>

8

<p>yes. you should definitely apply. i have the least self esteem when it comes to applying to college, but no matter what, you should try. you and i have very similar stats and so what if you don't get in? youll get in somewhere, so why not try for a school that you may love? i know that when i get rejected (haha degrating..?) ill be dissapointed, but there is always somewhere else...and its just college. i wish you the best of luck, for you, are my true competition. a good student who does decently on tests, has great ecs.</p>

9

<p>thanks kelc 347......i shall apply</p>

<p>nice to see someone on the same boat and best of luck to you too</p>