<p>I am a high school senior and I am applying Early Decision.
I have a 98.05 (unweighted) cumulative three year average and I am ranked number eight in a class of 430. </p>
<p>SAT Reasoning
Cumulative: 2240
Reading: 780
Math: 800
Math: 660
(NOTE: I just took the SAT again this past saturday and I think I brought my math score above a 700)</p>
<p>SAT II
Biology(Molecular): 720
Math I: 640
Math II: 640
Chemistry: 580
(NOTE: Taking the Chem and Math II again plus Literature in near future)</p>
<p>My school offers no AP's or honors classes. It is a college prep school; we are also exempted from taking NYS Regents exams. However I am in my school's version of accelerated mathematics.</p>
<p>I live on Long Island and I am a natural born middle class U.S. citizen with an Irish background. </p>
<p>I have received a commendation for the National Merit Scholarship. I have also maintained a two part-time jobs since my freshman year. I did varsity swimming my freshman year. </p>
<p>I have attended a current-issues club since my freshman year. I have volunteered an average of 35 hours at the hospital each year since my sophomore year (plan to put another 35-40 in for senior year). I have been a member of my school's Literary Club since my sophomore year. I have also participated in the Long Island Envirothon for the last two years, and my team came in third for my county in my junior year. I will participate again this year. </p>
<p>I have also planned and organized two blood drive in the past year, generating a total of 70 pints between the 2. </p>
<p>I have visited Columbia four times now, including its annual Science Invitational. However, I am competing with some crew athletes at my school for Columbia.</p>
<p>Am I a serious competitor for Columbia's Early Decision pool or not? Please be as honest and brutal as you can.</p>
<p>Well, you want honest and brutal, so here we go:</p>
<p>Given the very generous curves on the SAT Subject Tests, it seems odd that you could have such a high GPA and such low subject test scores. In a way, your subject test scores make your GPA less impressive because they call into question the academic rigor of your high school. </p>
<p>More importantly, however, I don’t see a theme here. Your extracurricular activities are kind of all over the place, seemingly done for the purpose of resume building. I know that was harsh, but schools like Columbia like admitting people who have sharply defined interests and are really good at what they do. They also admit well-rounded people, but I don’t see well-roundedness so much as a very odd jumble of extracurriculars. </p>
<p>The good news is that you have a high class rank, which is important since Columbia will consider you in the context of your school and community.</p>
<p>So, as for your original question: Are you a serious competitor? Based on what you wrote above, I’m going to say your chances are slim, but it’s not hopeless. If you are serious about applying to Columbia ED and getting in, you need to raise your subject test scores. You’ll also need to decide how to paint a picture of yourself that makes the Columbia admissions officer say “aha! I want this person!” When I applied to Columbia, I wrote about how I was really into video games and the global gaming industry, and my extracurricular activities corroborated that portrait. I tried to make the admissions officer want me badly, so I did everything I could to portray myself as a very different applicant who could contribute in a unique way to the school. Apparently, it worked, as I was sent a likely letter (an indication of admission sent well in advance of the normal decision date) and a handwritten note from my admissions officer. You should strive to do the same with your application. </p>
<p>One final word of warning: make sure you absolutely can afford Columbia before applying ED. People from middle class backgrounds often have the most trouble getting sufficient need-based aid.</p>
<p>Thanks for being honest.
I am going to retake several of the subject tests and I expect score much higher.
As far as the academic rigor of my high school, I have talked with my admissions counselor and that is not being called into question. My high school just doesn’t teach to a public school or state regulated curriculum so there are often discrepancies between standardized subject testing and academic proficiency within my high school. My admissions counselor told me she was aware of that theme at my high school.
However, as I said, I have spent the past few months teaching myself to the College Board curriculum and expect a significant improvement in my scores.</p>
<p>I’ll also take your ideas on the essays into consideration as I finish up my application. </p>
<p>Do you thing ED helps my chances at all by showing an added commitment?</p>
<p>Also, is receiving various emails and letters asking me to consider applying to Columbia any reflection of their interest in me as a candidate?</p>
<p>Also, just out of curiosity, did you go ED to Columbia?</p>
<p>Finally, do you know if going Early Action to another school while going ED with Columbia hurts my chances with Columbia at all?</p>
<p>Sorry for the million questions, I’m just getting nervous about the admissions process :)</p>
<p>ED does help by showing extra commitment. EA shouldn’t hurt (nor help), just make sure you’re not violating any school’s early decision guidelines (some schools are single-choice early action).</p>
<p>Schools like Columbia send out tons of emails and letters. They are sent out to get people to apply, not as a reflection of interest in a particular applicant. </p>
<p>I applied regular decision to Columbia. I was accepted but decided to turn down the offer in favor of Pomona College, where I currently attend.</p>
<p>Also, I completely forgot my largest and most consuming extracurricular of all. I have been singing in choral groups since I was in seventh grade. I have practice with my high school choir every school day for 40 minutes. I am also a member of a subgroup of more proficient singers. We have performed for politicians at the grand opening of the U.S.S. Intrepid Museum as well as two chorale showcases Carnegie Hall. I was also one of the founding members of this sub-group. Also, I perform with an chorale group outside of school that performs for the local retirement home around the holidays.</p>
<p>I don’t know if that shows anymore sharply defined interests. Thanks!</p>