<p>I'm a junior in HS, not sure where I wanna go yet but I'm kinda torn between Cornell, Brown and Columbia for my top choice(ED)...What are my chances for Columbia based on my stuff so far?</p>
<p>GPA: Over 4.0 (not sure about the weighted, it's weird at my HS)
SATs: not yet, really good PSATs though, 98th percentile
Higher Classes (including next year): AP US History, AP Bio, AP English, Western Civ (college course), 4 years and honors French, 2 years of honors english and 1 of history (not including APs), honors Chemistry, honors Calculus
All grades B+ to A, top 10% of my class
4 years of Band and one of Music Theory
Possible majors: History, political science, Music</p>
<p>Extracurriculars and leadership:
1st President of French National Honor Society
Student Council Executive (historian and parliamentarian)
Drum Major of pep and new marching band
Lead trumpet and soloist in concert, jazz, and pep bands
Brass Ensemble
Editor of literary magazine
A founding member of the journalism club
Tennis team
Academic Bowl
Science League
Member of Pass-It-Along (service group)
Perform on trumpet at adult day cares
Helped host anti-drug party at low-income housing
Worked on tsunami relief fundraiser (500$)</p>
<p>Honors:
1st Governor's School Nominee for Jazz of my school
Nominated for Honors Band Abroad
Attending American Legion Boys State
Nominated for National Young Leader's Conference
Twice nominated for National Leadership Convention in DC
Member of French and National Honor Societies
Rated Outstanding for Creative Writing at the Teen Arts Festival</p>
<p>And I'm planning on doing a lot more community service this year and summer.</p>
<p>What do you think? Any suggestions for something I'm missing would be appreciated. Although I probably won't major in it, music is a huge part of my life, and I'm really into the whole jazz scene. How would I fit in at Columbia? Thanks for looking!</p>
<p>Columbia's very big on jazz, from everything I've heard. The top small ensemble has a regular gig in some Manhattan club and everybody that tries out is guaranteed a spot in a jazz combo... plus it's NYC, of course.</p>
<p>I also think you have a very good shot (partially contigent on your future SATs, of course).</p>
<p>I think it is kind of funny that you would have a say in the matter Icicle when you are asking the same question about you. </p>
<p>I noticed your choices onewinged, and I have to say that they don't really go together. You have Cornell which has a huge student body and is in the middle of no where and Columbia which is in the city and has a tiny undergrad. And you have Brown with no core at all and Columbia with a rigid core. I think you should be considering these things because the three Ivies you are torn between are the most different.</p>
<p>I realize that about them, but as for urban or rural I kinda prefer either extreme, though I'm not sure whether I'd want the open or closed curriculum. I just like the variety of courses and (different) environments of those schools.</p>
<p>not to discourage u or anything...
but a kid from my skool applied ED to columbia this year... got defferred with a 1580</p>
<p>nd yes i know... sat score isnt everything... but he also had a 3.8+ gpa at one of the best skools in the area... like this is a REALLY good prep skool... nd he has plenty of extra's as well... so i wouldnt go so far as to "bet on u"... but follow ur dreams and best of luck</p>
<p>the BEST ADVICE i can give u is...
dont get fixated into ONE skool... apply to a bunch of top colleges... see where u get in... nd then worry about where to go.. because these elite colleges r soooo erratic with acceptances... u have a good chance of getting into all of those skools... but so do 70% of the kids that apply to all of these skools... and only 15% get in... so... work hard... eventually u'll get in somewhere... nd whereever u end up.. ur prolly gonna luv it</p>
<p>As a musician who was accepted ED this year I can tell you confidently that Columbia is making huge strides in improving their music curriculum. The Jazz program on campus has been sponsered for the next 4 years and will have visiting faculty for one year each that specialize in an area of Jazz. The classical music department is also becoming one of the best around through the Columbia University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Bach Society. </p>
<p>This is the main reason why I chose Columbia over Stanford because of the large emphasis on music. The Columbia-Julliard 5 year program has attracted many top students who want both a small liberal arts education as well as a music education. Due to this, many top musicians are currently attending Columbia. For music, there is no better place than NYC. </p>
<p>If you are truly in love with music, then I would dtrongly recommend Columbia. Your stats are very close to mine (3.8 UW, 4.3 W; 1440 SAT I) and I would say you have a very realistic shot of being accepted. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you in your college search!</p>
<p>Be sure to narrow down your interests, so that you do only a handful of things, and that you do them well. I know it's a bit tough, being junior year and all, but don't list tangential activities (Nat Youth Lead Conf-a paid program, anything you do for less than 2 hours a week, etc)--Columbia and the Ivies, as I understand it, won't really care . . .
You have a good shot, good luck.</p>
<p>While the overall majority of students on campus are grad students, the main part of campus is mainly for undergrads because most grad students live off campus and most of the grad schools are not on the main part of campus (115-120 between Broadway and Amsterdam). </p>
<p>The grad students complain that the undergrads get too much attention at Columbia. This can only be a good thing for the undergrad population. The faculty to student ratio of 7:1 allows for personal contact with professors and Columbia College is actually the smallest Ivy League school. </p>
<p>546, I kinda can't perform at nursing homes for hours every week, the opportunities aren't there, but I'm pretty sure that's still worth putting on my transcript. As for the leadership conventions, I've heard that before, but there aren't a lot of other honors I could put, my school doesn't have "principal's awards" or whatever. I've been nominated for what we have, if it's not enough then I don't know what to do. Maybe Boys State'll help with that a lot? And I plan on commiting myself to many hours of service a week when summer comes along, but the thing is I'm doing all I can do right now...and defying the physics of a 24 hour day.</p>