What do I need to do to get into Columbia?!

Applying to College
1

<p>My Situation</p>

<p>I really want to attend Columbia College for both a degree in financial economics and a degree in chemical engineering. My Dad went to Columbia SEAS for a P.h.D in Engineering Science [he came here from China]. The problem is, I have a horribly low GPA. My freshman grades were terrible (below a 3.0 weighted) but I my sophmore and junior GPAs have all been 3.7+ (weighted). I'm embarrassed to talk about my poor grades. My SATs in June weren't that great either (2130 but I didn't sleep the night before). I retook them this past Saturday and am hoping for a 2200+. I have a 750 in Chemistry and a 710 in Math 2 [didn't prep for this at all], and I'm retaking the November SAT 2s. My problem is... even with these test scores, 2200+ on SAT 1s and mid 700s on my SAT 2s, do I have any chance at Columbia? </p>

<p>My parents are both pressuring me to apply Early Decision, but I don't know if I'm ready. Should I retake the SATs in December and January so I can get a higher score (even if it's just 50 points higher). Like I mentioned before, I need a high SAT to compensate for my low GPA. I know applying ED boosts my chances for admittance, but would it be better for me just to retake the SATs in December for the highest possible score? Since my dad was a SEAS graduate, I am considered a legacy according to the Columbia website.</p>

<p>*Heres a list of my questions/concerns: *</p>

<p>Does Columbia accept November scores for E.D? (I know UChigaco does)</p>

<p>Do I have a decent chance at Columbia?</p>

<p>Should I just wait and take the December/January tests to boost my scores?</p>

<p>Does Columbia accept January scores for RD? (I know Harvard does)</p>

<p>What SAT and SAT 2s should I have with a 3.5-3.7 (Weighted!) GPA?</p>

<p>I am a legacy according to the Columbia website, but am I only considered a legacy to SEAS since my dad went to SEAS instead of Columbia College? I am applying to Columbia College so this is particularly crucial. </p>

<p>I need some advice here. I don't want to apply ED to Columbia if I don't have a reasonable chance of getting in, especially since I wouldn't be able to apply to Uchicago early then (my second choice). I would love to go to Columbia and would do almost anything to get in, but I need to know what would be my smartest course of action.</p>

<p>Thanks!
Jason</p>

2

<p>Bump, anybody?</p>

3

<p>Legacy will not make up for a low GPA.</p>

4

<p>Jason, I’m applying to Columbia ED too: it’s a great school and if you love it, you should apply. A 2130 is not bad at all. In fact, it is well within the middle scoring range of the average accepted class. I have read threads that normally advice you to get over the school’s middle score (Columbia’s is 2180). However, this is if you do not have any hooks. Do you have any great extra curricular activities?</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Yes, Columbia does accept November scores. This is especially if you did your SAT I in Oct and your SAT II in Nov. </p></li>
<li><p>As i said before, you do have a decent chance at Columbia. </p></li>
<li><p>Here’s the thing: if you think you can do significantly better on your SATs (100+ points more), retake in December. There’s nothing worse than regretting something that doesn’t reflect your ability. What I am doing is waiting until my Oct SAT score and then, if I feel i could have done better, register for the december SAT which will be sent to my RD colleges if and when Columbia rejects/defers me. It’s always best to be safe. You need to decide whether you can get a very high score in December (regardless of your Columbia ED decision) for your RD colleges. Applying ED gives you a significant advantage in terms of acceptance too (50% of Class of 2014 was accepted ED). </p></li>
</ul>

<p>Yes, January scores are accepted. Send them effectively. </p>

<p>No one can guarantee a certain score. It all depends on your other factors (essay, recs, etc). </p>

<p>If you really love Columbia, you’ll be ready in time. With the SAT scores, go ahead and apply ED. Retake in December if you know you could get 2200+. You won’t mind all that retaking effort if you get in ED would you? </p>

<p>PS- I didn’t sleep the night before my SATs either (yikes!)</p>