Yes, another Asian girl

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>What are my chances for Columbia if my GPA and class rank are on the lower end, but my SAT scores and ECs are really good?</p>

<p>Korean female, very competitive public MA hs</p>

<p>GPA ~3.8 UW
Class rank ~40/390, could be lower or higher
Course load: most challenging available
AP: Bio, US, Eng Language, Calc, Psych, Econ, Eng Lit, Latin Lit
SAT: 690 math 710 verbal as sophomore, I took the Nov 6 SAT so waiting for scores, hopefully 1500+
SAT 2: Taking after I finish my APs, probably Bio, IIC and Latin</p>

<p>EC: VERY heavy focus on debate, which is my absolute love and passion, plus I have a record that'll be very unique and impressive-- there's A LOT under this category, like 2 pages of resume's worth
A lot of politics, like DNC volunteer, volunteer for Kerry campaign, Dean campaign, US House and State senate campaigns, State senate intern, hopefully DC page, organized voter registration drive for Asian American voters
Asian Club, president
Amnesty International, president
Viola, districts and soloist and allstate whatnot, musical pit orchestra, summer orchestra, local youth orchestra, principal violist, chamber groups
Piano, 13 years, sending in tape with viola, violin, and piano pieces
Violin, various orchestras
Young Democrats, school branch and state branch
I help autistic kids learn Korean on occasional Saturdays
The Other Side (satire magazine) Editor in Chief
English language editor, New England Korean Journal
various church stuff, participated in fasting program for world awareness
published author, various essays and poems</p>

<p>NHS, National Latin Honor Society, National Forensics League, National Merit Semifinalist at least I think, National Latin Exam gold and silver medals, Congressional Award Silver Medal (working towards gold)</p>

<p>Prospective IR/Poli Sci major... any and all help will be much appreciated!</p>

2

<p>you'll probably get in on the strength of your ECs, especially if you applied ED.</p>

3

<p>yay another amnesty president and kerry volunteer :)
and i agree w/ soul of heaven, your EC's sound amazing.</p>

4

<p>omg there are so many korean girls applying.. lol.... does that mean i have less of a chance? </p>

<p>or am i just looked at along with my fellow international applicants esp. those appplying from singapore.</p>

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<p>Yayy Amnesty & Kerry!</p>

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<p>Thanks, I'm just really worried about my GPA and class rank... ah the pitfalls of being a brilliant slacker. I'm lucky in that I found something that I absolutely love and am passionate about... the slight downside is that that takes precedence over school. :)</p>

<p>Do you have any suggestions as to my applications, like consolidating ECs or anything? I know my numerical stats are a bit low for Columbia, but I'd love love love to go there.</p>

7

<p>A not so fun update:</p>

<p>My GPA is at around a 3.5 now, being an Asian girl who can't do math for the life of her.
November SAT continues in the same vein, 640 m/790 verbal.</p>

<p>On the bright side, debate is going really well (knock on wood)</p>

<p>Any comments would be appreciated, as I struggle with the spawn of the devil named Calculus.</p>

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<p>You sure do have a chance, depending on how well you write the essays.</p>

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<p>ahhh debate!!...do you do policy debate?..</p>

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<p>No, I've found policy to be a bit... weird?</p>

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<p>really?..i love policy...so what do u do..ld?..</p>

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<p>CX! CX!</p>

<p>I was in debate for a grand total of 2 months. But hey, I've been playing viola for 7 years!</p>

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<p>hehehe...yay!</p>

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<p>I always wonder about showing your political affiliation, eg, Kerry/Dean/DNC volunteers. what if adcom is Republican? Can he/she be completely impartial?</p>

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<p>Your EC's are certainly strong; I would hope that you get into Columbia based on them, but you should obviously do everything you can to boost your academic record...I know there's not a whole lot you can do (you can retake the SAT in January) besides trying not to slack, even if right now your classes are teaching you jack...</p>

16

<p>"I always wonder about showing your political affiliation, eg, Kerry/Dean/DNC volunteers. what if adcom is Republican? Can he/she be completely impartial?"</p>

<p>Then it's all over for you.</p>

<p>nah, j/k. If that was the case, they can be biased against your looks (picture), the way you write, and the way you present yourself. Who knows...prejudice against bad grades??</p>

<p>hahaha.</p>

17

<p>OP: Stop whining.</p>