Sorry to ask yet another "chance me" question

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'm a high school junior looking for early admission (which, in Columbia's words, happens "occasionally"). I really, really want it for a lot of reasons...so please don't just say "you have another year." Okay, so here are the stats:</p>

<p>I'm looking to be a math and music major (double major program). Not sure if this changes anything, making it easier or harder...</p>

<p>GPA: 4.198 for freshman and sophomore year (weighted; my school, the notorious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology does not do an unweighted GPA)
GPA for junior year thus far is a 4.523
School does not rank.</p>

<p>I have taken math classes up to and including Differential Equations (in which I am currently enrolled).</p>

<p>Pretty confident about my essay and teacher recs, but my SAT scores are less than I'd like:
Math: 800
Writing: 710
Reading: 700
(2210)</p>

<p>Courses in past:
Honors Biology, PE (bleh), English 9 Honors, Design and Technology, Symphonic Orchestra, French 2, AP Calculus BC - freshman year</p>

<p>Honors Chemistry, Honors World History 1 - summer school over two years to get ahead w/ credits</p>

<p>Soph. year: DNA Science, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Symphonic Orchestra, Honors World History 2, Honors English 10, PE (bleh), French 3</p>

<p>Junior year (this year): AP Statistics, Differential Equations, AP US History, AP Physics C (which, admittedly, I'm not doing well in...), Honors English 11, Symphonic Orchestra, AP Music Theory</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Biology Olympiad, Youth Orchestra (Violin at school, viola in this), Boy Scouts, NHS, extensive volunteering, Math Team, Soccer</p>

<p>I recently sent in an update letter outlining the fact that I got first in the state for an all-state orchestra and I got accepted to a national level orchestra over the summer (only 50 from the US accepted and 20 from other areas of the world), and that all of my interim grades are As, showing an upward trend from an A- in APUSH and a C+ to an A in AP Physics...</p>

<p>Thanks a lot, guys! Really anxious ><</p>

2

<p>Well, I hope you get in, and your stats are certainly impressive. Of course, most people who apply to Columbia have impressive stats. I would say that you have as good a chance as anybody.</p>

3

<p>I won’t say “You have another year” but Columbia might. </p>

<p>Your stats are good enough to get you in. But, at the same time, I believe those scores are not exceptional by TJHSST standards…</p>

<p>Also, you didn’t mention that FCPS went through a grading scale change this year. 4.198 to a 4.523 may seem like a huge jump, but with the new system, it’s not nearly as impressive.</p>

4

<p>Oh, sorry, the 4.198 is my freshman-sophomore GPA (with the grade scale/weight change) and my separate junior GPA is 4.523 (also with the grade scale/weight change).</p>