<p>There are too many chance threads its ridiculous. WE DON"T KNOW your chances. If you have decent ECs, are top 10% of your class and have Sats that are 1450+ and 2200+ than you have a reasonable chance. END OF STORY, try asking something that matters. They will decide if you will get in, not anyone on this forum. So ask about what matters so you can determine if Columbia is a good fit.That way people can actually help you, instead of giving totally irrelevant and unsubstantiated "chances".</p>
<p>AMEN! i would also suggest that people on this forum ignore chances threads as i have been doing for a while now.</p>
<p>Or, you could just be nice and ease their anxieties.</p>
<p>i agree with kwu. chance threads aren't supposed to annoy us, they're meant to help the people who create them because they need advice. it's not that difficult to take a look at them, and if they bother you so much, just ignore them - those threads are part of the CC culture. </p>
<p>by the way, they don't actually expect us to know their chances. they're just looking for a little input.</p>
<p>
[quote]
chance threads aren't supposed to annoy us, they're meant to help the people who create them because they need advice.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>that's total BS....chances threads are divided into three kinds:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The vast majority are people with very strong stats who are just here to get an ego boost. Bottom line is they have a decent chance and they know it since they've probably already been told this by several people but they just want to come here and have people stroke their egos.</p></li>
<li><p>A bunch of people come here with pretty obviously weak stats and they're just looking to pick a fight when people inevitably tell them the truth about their chances. They set out to prove everyone wrong and inevitably fail. A good example of this type of thread can be found here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/574053-my-family-suing-columbia-will-affect-my-chances-there.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/columbia-university/574053-my-family-suing-columbia-will-affect-my-chances-there.html</a></p></li>
<li><p>A very small group actually has a legitimate reason to post a chances thread or include specific questions on how to improve or whether they should take the SAT again or the SAT II. And here i'm not talking about those with a 2350 on the SAT who are asking whether to take it again...i'm talking about people with borderline scores. THESE are the only chances threads anyone should pay attention to.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>"A good example of this type of thread can be found here: my family is suing Columbia... will this affect my chances there?"</p>
<p>ouch!! that's a nasty way to find out about chances, but yes for the most part I agree with you.</p>
<p>I tend to ignore Chances threads about 50% of the time. in the 50% of the time when I click on them, maybe 25% of those are an interesting and compelling case where my advice might actually be helpful - and thus I post.</p>
<p>If there are 512 Chances threads in an application year, how many of those threads does Denzera end up posting in?</p>
<p>(sorry, really I am)</p>
<p>I think a lot of chance threads are posted to ease anxieties, or look for unbiased input. </p>
<p>But yeah, the "My family is suing columbia" is a joke.</p>
<p>Forget the chance threads. Look at the decision results on cc for the past two years an these are the ones who get in.
1. Those with competitivelyhigh SAT scores and grades who stand out from those who are editor in chief of the yearbook, head of debate ect, as those are activities that may appear extraordinary but are ordinary when compared with thousands of applicants. Those who get in usually have shown passion in their extra curricular activities over years, unusual achievement often with national recognition.
2. Super star academics who have perfect or near perfect SAT scores , number one in their classand academics who have won or are finalists in westinghouse, intel ect along with other super academic achievement and awards
3. Those who have high grades and SAT scores and have overcome adversity (not based on a college essay explaining that) but may come from an inner city school ect where academic opportunities are not great, but they show great motivation and drive and great promise if given a challenging academic environment
4. Those who have competitively high grades and SAT scores and more ordinary extra curriculars showing leadership, but their personal statement and recommendations are a reason Columbia decides to take them
5. Applicants with competitive scores, grades and activities from states where there are very few applicants who apply each year
6. Recruited athletes with SAT scores in the range of those who Columbia accepts who are wanted by the coach. Also athletes who are not at the very top of their sport although good, but their SAT scores are extremely high and the coach may want them to raise the average SAT score of the recruits they accept.
7. Some very competitive legacies
8. Some legacies that are competitive and are important to Columbia</p>
<p>Also, under represented minorities with competitive SAT scores, high grades and achievement</p>
<p>bescraze's original statement is so true.</p>