Should I even apply?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>i live in ny and and my school is definitely sub-par. its not the best in the world and the curriculum is extremely watered down. the classes do NOTHING at all to prepare me for the harder subject tests as they base everything around regents which are NOTHING in comparison.sometimes i feel doomed for failure because i go there. i plan to major in international affairs. so here are my stats so far:</p>

<p>SAT: 1880 (i plan to retake it this october and get atleast 200 points more)
SAT II: Math I - 640, World History - 630 (highest to date, WORST part of my app)
GPA: 3.88 uw</p>

<p>Classes (my school had only one honors class and few APs)</p>

<p>in 8th grade i took some high school courses
Spanish I
Earth Science
Integrated Algebra</p>

<p>Freshman
Geometry
Spanish II
Living Environment
English I
US History</p>

<p>Sophmore
Spanish III
Alg II/ Trig
Global I
English II Honors (only honors class school has)
Chemistry</p>

<p>Junior
Calculus
Physics (could have taken AP bio but bio is my least favorite science class)
AP Literature
Global II</p>

<p>I only put the core classes but i did quite a few art and graphic art classes because i enjoy those. I did great in all my classes my average was above a 90 for them all. And my lowest regents grade was an 86 for geometry (worst subject). Everything else was atleast a 90. I've made my schedule for next year and I'm taking all APs because my school FINALLY decided to add some more. </p>

<p>Senior
AP Calculus
AP Government
AP Chemistry
AP Language
Spanish IV - couldn't take last year because school didn't have it
I think i can do pretty well in all these classes especially Language because English is my best subject.</p>

<p>Okay so now these are my extracurriculars
Chorus (9th-discontinued after one year because of budget issues)
Varsity Volleyball Team (10,11,12) -Might be captain senior year :)
Future Business Leaders of America (9,10)
Digital Imaging/ Photography: (10,11)
National Honor Society (11,12) Secretary for senior year
Model UN / International Affairs: (9,10,11,12)
Science / Recycling Club (11,12) Vice Pres senior year
Yearbook Committee (12)
I plan to run for senior class vice pres - nobody ever runs so i can def win
I've also been playing the piano for 5 years.</p>

<p>I've been on the academic honor roll every year.
I've won scholar athlete both years i was on the volleyball team
And I recently received a young woman of magnitude award given by my school district for females that demonstrate leadership and noteworthy character
2011 NAACP Regional Act-So bronze medalist - this is kind of like a talent olympiad and i won this playing a contemporary piano piece. Unfortunately didn't get to go to nationals (only gold does) hopefully next year tho :)</p>

<p>Work / Volunteer Experiences
so i only have 51 hours from tutoring and the soup kitchen but i'll have another twenty by november. (NHS requirement now)
I got into this internship program sponsered by judge judy! super excited for this!!
Last summer i interned at a film production company
this summer i'm working at city hall</p>

<p>I'm starting my essay soon and I can feel that its gonna be wonderful and very unique. I was also born in Jamaica (citizen now) if that can also help me. So i just want to know if I can even compete with everyone else applying to these wonderful schools.
Please be very honest.</p>

2

<p>Well there’s no one stopping you and I don’t see why it’ll hurt. Worst case scenario you won’t get in and you just wasted $80. heck, I’m applying to harvard and i’d be surprised if they even bothered to read my whole application. While I’m not an exceptional student I do think I’m still up pretty high, at least enough to maybe have a chance at cornell or smthg…ahhh well best of luck!</p>

<p>also, from what i read i take it you’re of african descent? and that could be a plus for you, as the number applying is lower so more room for you! sadly im asian and there are a horde of other asians that are eager to snatch all my chances of getting in (and im sure they could too):</p>

3

<p>thanks! I’m working my butt off to improve SATs and i’m applying ED. And also best of luck to you with harvard. class of 2012! :)</p>

4

<p>The quality of your high school doesn’t really matter. If anything, being an outstanding student despite the limits of your environment will actually give you a nice boost :slight_smile: Your extracurriculars are really good, but pull those SAT scores up to at least a 2100. You should still apply, since you never know what will happen. The essays really make a difference, too. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>My initial impression is that you had no chance, until you mentioned at the end that you were Jamaican. Presumably, you are a URM.</p>

<p>Even then, your SATs would appear to be too low, but you have nothing to lose by taking a shot. Just don’t count on it.</p>

6

<p>Doesn’t hurt to try. Columbia could save you thousands of dollars bc of their great fin aid in the long run. $80 is worth it right now.
URM is a good hook but bring up your scores. Standardized tests can be studied to a 2400 if you try hard enough, there’s no doubt about that.</p>

7

<p>I think you should go for it. No one is stopping you, and your doubts should not either. Yeah, your scores are relatively low for the ivies, but that does not necessarily insinuate you will be rejected. If you aim for at least a 2000 on the SAT, your chances will increase.</p>