What do i need to get into Columbia, please help me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>I am a Junior at a high school in New Jersey. I've wanted to attend Columbia since i was in eighth grade and it would mean the world to me for me to get accepted. I haven't taken any of my SAT's i plan to do that in May and June, but i need to know what kind of scores i should aim for to get in. Other that that here are my stats:
Dominican(i would apply as an international student)
Female
low-income
3.96, 7 0ut 0f 335, AP Classes 2 junior year and 4 next year, honors 11 in total</p>

<p>Honors and Awards:
National Society of High School Scholars, 2010
Ventures Scholar 2010
Received a Resolution from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders (September 30, 2010)
American Standard Article</p>

<p>Article on Star Ledger</p>

<p>Article in Contractor’s magazine</p>

<p>Athletics
P.A.L Softball 2009 Season
Varsity Tennis Team 2010 Season
Extracurricular Clubs
Math Club (Grades 9- Present)
Helped organized annual - Day Event
Tutored Students for Midterms and Finals
Volunteered by tutoring elementary students in math
Social Action Club (Grade 10, hours vary)
Participated in Hearts for Haiti- Event to collect money for Haiti
Water Champions Program, Water Conservation Program
Rahway Park and Milton Park Clean-up Spring 2010 and Fall 2010
Plan follow-up internship to educate people about water conservation
Speak-up Club (Debate Team) (Grade 10, 4 hours per week)
Debated Teams from all around state
Discuss controversial issues that affect the world
REBEL (Grades10, 2 hours per week)
Helped plan fundraising ideas for club
SADD (Grades 10, hours vary)
Discuss varies ways to prevent drug-abuse
Learned ways to help others avoid being affected by peer pressure
Jobs/Employment
Volunteer at Salvation Army Summer Camp (40 hours per week) Summer of 2008
Trendsetter Marketing Newspaper Salesperson (30 hours per week) Summer 2009
Babysitting (40 hours per week) Summer 2010
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Junior Intern during Summer of 2010
Babysitting (6 hours per week) Fall 2010
Extracurricular programs
Foundation for Free Enterprise Summer Business Camp Summer 2010
Pre-Medical Honors Program at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
New Jersey Scholars Program Semifinalist (interview is this month)</p>

<p>I don't really have a hook except that i got my school a $60,000 donation to renew all of the school's bathrooms as part of my internship
BTW those articles at the top are about the internship and donation</p>

<p>i really want to know what SAT scores i need to make my application as competitive as possible. I would appreciate all opinions, and suggestions. I want to apply early decision what are my chances.. Please I really need your help.!!!!!!!!</p>

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<p>bump…</p>

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<p>anyone… please</p>

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<p>Basically, you should be aiming for the best scores you can possibly get. You seem very qualified. It’s just so ridiculously competitive to get in, you really should just study and get do as well as you can. I think it’s reasonable to aim for at least 700 on each section to keep you in the running (subject tests and normal SAT sections).</p>

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<p>Thank You, that makes sense. What do you think are my chances since i am applying as an international student and they would have to provide me with more aid . I am pretty sure its even harder to get in as an international student.</p>

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<p>I hope you know that national society for high school scholars is a joke scam</p>

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<p>Its a scam? What do you mean?</p>

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<p>you pay money to join and basically anyone can lol</p>

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<p>oh ok thanks for the info.</p>

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<p>ok does anybody else have any suggestions …</p>

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<p>Any SAT score 2000+ would give you a great shot. Why are you applying as an international student?</p>

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<p>i don’t have a green card… so i have to apply as an international student.</p>

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<p>bump…</p>

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<p>what are my chances of getting into Columbia???
I’m finishing up junior year at a public high school.
SAT: cr: 650, Math: 780, Writing: 730
Weighted GPA: 4.1, Unweighted: 3.95
SAT2s: Math2 :710, Bio: 730
APs: Stat: 5, Bio: 4, Human Geography: 5
around 75 hours community service
500+ work hours at nursing home
2 years of JV Track and cross country
Junior year: secretary of Leo Club
Senior year positions locked in: President of Leo club, President of Future Doctors club, Captain of Quiz Bowl team.
Went to Columbia summer program for high school students (took psychology course) </p>

<p>So what are my chances??? Thankss</p>

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<p>cr 650 hurts</p>

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<p>bump…</p>

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<p>I’m probably not the most qualified to chance you, but I think you have a good shot. Just make sure to emphasize the ECs that you’re really passionate about on your application. Admissions officers can always tell when you’re putting something on your application because you’re really passionate about it, or if you’re just putting it on there to take up space. But you have a really good variety of ECs to choose from. :smiley: As for the scores… try to get as high as you can, there really isn’t a specific score you have to get in order to get in, I’ve seen people be accepted with scores ranging all the way from 1900s to 2400. It all depends, but try to get the highest score you can. I’d say 2200+ to be safe. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Do not set your sights on Columbia or any top school. Aim high and see where your application resonates. Maybe it’s Columbia; maybe it’s Princeton or UChicago. Just do your best, work hard, and see what happens.</p>

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<p>Just so you know, admissions for international students at Columbia are “need-aware”, so being a low-income student may significantly hurt your chances. If you were an American citizen/had a green card/met US application requirements, I think you’d have a much better chance. As far as SAT scores, you need at least a 2200+ or so to have a serious shot, although some people do it with lower scores.</p>

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<p>thanks f0ssil. i was told that when i went to an information session but i guess my chances are even smaller than i thought. i might apply to Princeton then because i heard being an international student doesn’t affect your chances of getting in.</p>