Stats, anyone? Junior interested in Columbia ED

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'm currently a junior interested in applying to Columbia ED. My stats are:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.61 weighted, 3.93 uw
SAT: 2280, 750 CR, 730 math, 800 writing (I plan on retaking it to increase my CR and math scores)
ranked 9/299</p>

<p>Last year I took the Calc AB AP test and did much worse than I had anticipated- I got a 2. I didn't think I would score so low so I didn't bother cancelling it before July 15.</p>

<p>Currently taking 4 AP's (5 if you count Chem 2 as two) including English III, US History, Chem 2, and Calc BC. Also taking Japanese honors.</p>

<p>Next year's APs will be Physics, Bio 2, and English 4. Will also be taking Japanese 2 honors.</p>

<p>I plan on taking the AP test for all of my current and future AP classes. How much will that 2 hurt me if I do well (4-5) on the remaining tests?</p>

<p>EC's/other:
Junior class VP
Founded youth group at my temple
Founded Indian students association at my school
Treasurer of Science Club
I've also served on the executive board for the International Cultural Association club for the past two years
Also in various clubs, including Beta, Mu Alpha Theta, Interact (Rotary), and a few others. I attended Model UN for two years in a row. I also tutored disadvantaged students in math in freshman year.
Tennis team in freshman year</p>

<p>This past summer I attended Columbia's summer program for high school students.</p>

<p>I also plan on doing some volunteering this summer, although I haven't decided where and for what cause.</p>

<p>What are my chances, and what can I do to improve my odds?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>48 page views and no one has any suggestions?</p>

3

<p>Yeah, I guess you have a good chance.</p>

<p>Ivies are tricky, no one really knows.</p>

4

<p>Columbia is tricky.. based on the decisions that came out, i couldn't figure out why I got in. some people with higher stats got deferred. They probably liked my essays and teacher recs.</p>

5

<p>Weak ECs, nothing you really show a passion for...</p>

<p>But it's too late for that. You still have good stats, but if I had to say there was something missing, it would be the ECs.</p>

<p>The sacrifices some make for academic success I suppose...</p>

6

<p>It seemed like a lot of people who were accepted ED in 05 didn't have great ECs, and not all showed a passion for one particular thing.</p>

<p>Academic success is more important than ECs. Of course schools want you to be well-rounded, but the single most important aspect of an application is your grades. Hence the word 'extra' in extracurricular.. The main objective of school is to educate yourself.</p>

<p>Even if it isn't reflected in one's ECs, no one is a complete school slave with no other interests and hobbies besides attaining high marks.</p>

7

<p>"It seemed like a lot of people who were accepted ED in 05 didn't have great ECs, and not all showed a passion for one particular thing.
"</p>

<p>How would you know?
CC is not a great place for displaying one's ECs.</p>

8

<p>Well that's all I can go by..</p>

<p>Either way, I think great grades/scores and mediocre ECs are better than having good grades/scores and good ECs.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars are listed under 'Important factors,' and volunteer work is listed under 'considered factors' for Columbia.. And SAT scores, high school grades, and rank are all under 'Very Important factors.'</p>

<p>So as long as you have great scores and decent ECs, I think you have a fair shot at Columbia.</p>