<p>Ok so I'm a Swedish, Israeli American girl (3 passports) who lived in Thailand during my sophomore and junior years. I speak three languages fluently and am learning another (Spanish). I'm doing the IB program and got 38/42 predicted (my school doesn't predict the extra three points from extended essay and theory of knowledge). My recommendations are very good and I think my essay and writing supplement are both interesting and well written. My ECs are decent, except I've moved around a lot so I have no ECs that I've done throughout all four years. My problem is the standardized testing...I tried the SATs and got 1850 (low I know) but I decided not to retake it because I can't do the SATII because none of my classes work with the American curriculum. Anyways, I did the ACTs twice but only managed to get 27 because I honestly do not test well. Do you guys think I have a chance of getting into Columbia University even with my low test scores?</p>
<p>Doubt it…it’s a reach. </p>
<p>Yeah that’s what I figured…shame they focus on test scores so much.</p>
<p>Your IB grades are actually impressive and will definitely work in your favor as the acceptance rate for IB applicants is higher than their cumulative. However it does depend on the rigor, which depends on your subjects. if you are willing to, which subjects are you taking and what are your predicted for each. I also do the IB so i am a bit curious </p>
<p>I’m confused…do you hold American citizenship…or not? </p>
<p>Sia 1995,
Your story is actually incredible! I’m in the same boat as you are. I am a triple citizen - Israeli (14 years living in Haifa), German, and American (born, and moved back here for school 3 years ago). My test scores, just like yours, were pretty low at first, but through hard work and use of a few test-prep programs (Princeton Review, Testive, Kaplan flash-cards…), my projected score has risen from a 1920 to a 2270! I would highly recommend the above programs, forI could not have possibly improved as much I did without them.
Consider this: Ivy League Universities search for unique qualities and experiences when recruiting students. As an Israeli, you have the opportunity to play a part in many start-ups (“Start-Up Nation”), and may display yourself as a foreign student capable of adapting to “alien” cultures.
I would highly recommend applying for a summer program and initiating clubs at your school. Good Luck!!</p>
<p>Difficult, I’d say. Your IB scores are good, but SAT is not good enough. Also you did not take SATII. However if you were a world champion on any sport, things would be easier. Your experience should help, but not much. </p>
<p>I am taking English Lit HL (7), Economics HL (6), Spanish AB Initio (6), Maths Studies (7), Biology SL (6), Swedish B HL (6). I didn’t take the SATII because my classes didn’t correlate well with them, if that makes sense. </p>
<p>Ok so I did some research and your AT and SAT correlate to around the same score, with your SAT being a bit higher. Unfortunately you havent done the required SATII subject tests so you may submit both, but you have to submit your ACT. Your IB grades are impeccable, however the Math studies is iffy. This can be subsided by hopefully your ACT/SAT math score This can be further subsided by your choice in major, which i assume isnt math related (by your HLs).</p>
<p>@UmeedAli Thanks for your help! 
no my major is not maths related - that’s probably my worst subject. I want to study development or political science </p>
<p>Is Swedish one of your 3 fluent languages? Why did you get only a 6 on it?</p>
<p>And what do you mean your ‘classes didn’t correlate well with them’, there is Biology, Spanish, Maths 1, English Literature subject tests…</p>
<p>@serendi I was originally taking geography HL but when I moved back here they didn’t offer geo so I had to take Swedish B HL as it was something I could easily catch up to despite having missed a whole year of content. I do speak it fluently but only learned it when I was in 6th grade, which was when I moved to Sweden since my mother chose to speak english with me. Also, living in Thailand for two years didn’t help to strengthen my proficiency in the language - that’s why it’s a B language as opposed to an A language. As for classes, what I mean is that the content is very different…anyways it’s too late now. Worst comes the worst I take a gap year, retake my tests and apply next year. Or I might apply to Europe, which has great unis as well. </p>
<p>“Worst comes the worst I take a gap year, retake my tests and apply next year” Then you will be eligible for Columbia General Studies, where you can take their admissions test instead of SAT or ACT’s. If you are a US citizen, among others, and live in the US then you are not an international.</p>
<p>@rhg3rd thanks! I didn’t know that - can you take it as an international student or only a US citizen? I don’t live in the US, but my dad does so I’m pretty sure I can claim residency. </p>
<p>accidental post</p>
<p>Aha ok @rhg3rd</p>