What can I do?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'm currently a sophomore and Columbia is probably my dream school right now. My main problem is that I don't feel confident enough in my resume at this point. I'm also an Asian male which makes things even tougher. I just really can't compete against a lot of the kind of people that I see post on here, (perfect academics, a bajillion APs, perfect SATs, a bajillion service hours, prestigious national awards, top musician/athlete)etc. That isn't to say that I'm dumb necessarily, I'm still well above average at my school (I'd estimate about top 5%) but I just don't feel like I'm Columbia material right now. I feel like a lot of Ivy League kids have been born into that sort of lifestyle where they've been doing things forever (sports, music, whatever) and that it's just too late for me to make myself more competitive. I have a decent amount of extra curriculars but not nearly enough I think. I'd be happy with just getting into NYU because I just adore being in NYC since my town is much smaller and suburban but I've heard that financial aid isn't very generous at NYU.</p>

<p>tldr; Can't compete against other Ivy League wannabes. Feel like it's too late to make myself more competitive. What do?</p>

2

<p>Honest advice? Try not to obsess so much over how you can fit the Ivy mold. In fact, many of the perfect-on-paper kids you’re describing don’t make it into top schools- since it’s clear their ‘passion’ is feigned and their entire life has been an exercise in résume-padding. And don’t forget, colleges want diversity in background and experience. </p>

<p>Another, less myopic reason- letting acceptance to a certain college become your primary motivator can be quite dangerous: what’s gonna continue to drive you forward once you’re in college, out of college? Tangible achievement and concretized goals can only get you so far. </p>

<p>With that in mind, I’d say just keep doing what you love and pursuing your interests. Take the year as an opportunity to explore them further or begin cultivating them. That way, whether or not you get into a specific school, high school will have been worthwhile. </p>

<p>That, and work hard on your essays. I’m sure everything will work out just fine :slight_smile: </p>