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Chance Me For Columbia

galsc01galsc01 53 replies10 threads Junior Member
edited July 2018 in Columbia University
Columbia University has started sending me emails/postcards that state that they like my accomplishments. I don't know how serious they are being but even so, I am curious to see if I have any chance of getting in.

I hope to major in the international economics or international business, continue on to graduate school, and work in sustainability/ethics consulting.

Here are some facts about me:
-I am a rising senior from South Carolina
-first-generation American, my parents are Colombian, I speak Spanish fluently
-Family income is about $80,000 for 3 people (in one of the more expensive parts of SC, though...)
- 4.994/5 gpa
- top 10% of my class
-part of an early college program (I will have about 36 college credits done by the end of high school, because I took real college classes rather than AP) at the local community college, plus I am part of the college's Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, and I have on their Dean's list for 4 consecutive semesters
-2 internships at the local Democratic party
-required to do 50 service hours per year (though I will end up with much more than that)
-art student and soon-to-be teacher's assistant in art class
-attended Girls State program for American Legion
-President of the Academic Team
-Founder and Leader of high school's recycling initiative, I was awarded a grant to do this
-Red Cross Club member
-National Honors Society
-regular volunteer at local arts center

I'd like some feedback in regards to my getting into Columbia.Thanks so much!
edited July 2018
12 replies
Post edited by skieurope on
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Replies to: Chance Me For Columbia

  • stressedout1234stressedout1234 4 replies5 threads New Member
    Your GPA is great, and your extra curriculurs seem sufficient; however I would say maybe try to do something unique like start a business or a non profit organization. Furthermore I’m not sure where you’re ACT/SAT is at but assuming your 33-36 I’d give you a competitive chance at being accepted
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  • momofsenior1momofsenior1 10457 replies124 threads Senior Member
    Don't read anything into college mailings. Schools hire firms to do their marketing for them. It means nothing.

    You have great accomplishments though so the certainly apply to some reach schools that match your interests.
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  • pieguy54321pieguy54321 98 replies9 threads Junior Member
    You are URM, so that helps.
    What are your academics and stats? I'd say you need at least a 1500 SAT and 31 ACT (given you are URM) to safely boost you past the min reqs to be considered, and make sure you have SATII subject tests and have taken AP/IB, if offered.

    Your EC's are kinda unrelated to Econ and business. Seems to me that you are more interested in polysci or IR, based on your EC's and awards.

    What major awards do you have? Your internships are good though nothing really stands out considerably. RN, nothing about your app is exceptionally unique or a good "hook" except your URM status, though you definitely have a strong enough of a profile to be competitive. I'd say you need to provide a more thorough list of your profile to get a more accurate chance.
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  • galsc01galsc01 53 replies10 threads Junior Member
    @stressedout1234 My SAT was 1360, but I am retaking it soon and I have been avidly studying.
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  • galsc01galsc01 53 replies10 threads Junior Member
    @pieguy54321 I still stand by my wanting to major in Econ or Business, but yes I know that my ECs might appear unrelated. I have been participating in the ECs that are available to me and that can fit in my schedule. I live in a small town and have a heavy academic workload. Additionally, I my interest in sustainability is fairly recent, it started in the past year or so. I'm not about to drop ECs that I invested hard work into and that I am passionate about simply because they don't fit my future major. I revamped the Academic Team in my school which used to be absolutely pathetic, I am a concerned citizen of this country and I have learned so much about local government through my internships, and the local arts center work is fulfilling because volunteers make a real difference at non profits. Additionally, no one else was stepping up to do recycling at my school.

    My SAT was 1360, but I am retaking it soon and I have been avidly studying.

    I starting the recycling initiative through an grant I received from DHEC. I have been awarded a Ronald Reagan Student Leader Award and a public service award from the Jefferson Foundation.
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  • galsc01galsc01 53 replies10 threads Junior Member
    @momofsenior1 @rustytatertot123 Okay thank you both!
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  • happy1happy1 24212 replies2430 threads Super Moderator
    Please recognize that the emails/postcards you are getting are marketing tools -- they have no bearing on if you ultimately will get into the college or not.
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  • wertu12wertu12 56 replies0 threads Junior Member
    It is marketing but if you get SAT up to 1450 or higher there is a reasonable chance
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  • galsc01galsc01 53 replies10 threads Junior Member
    Ok thank you so much! @wertu12
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  • collegemom3717collegemom3717 8039 replies85 threads Senior Member
    Sharing @ucbalumnus's very helpful post: https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/2095312-generic-chance-answer-for-super-selective-colleges.html

    Adding 100 points to your SAT puts you just at the (bottom) 25% of admitted students.

    Your DE credits will be good for showing rigor, but Columbia won't accept them for credit towards your degree.

    Aside from the glamour of a school of Columbia's calibre showing interest in you, what draws you to Columbia? There are quite a few top-tier universities that would be more aligned your interests (including, handily enough your state flagship, for which you would also be likely to get into the honors college & some merit $$). UPenn would also seem more aligned with your interests, and meets full need (some of the other usual suspects don't).
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  • galsc01galsc01 53 replies10 threads Junior Member
    @collegemom3717 Honestly, I had just been playing around with the idea. Ultimately, I'm not applying to Columbia.
    I am, though, applying to several of the liberal arts schools that meet full need. (If you want, please feel to check out some of my other "Chance Mes" for some other schools I'm interested in ;-) )

    I know my credits will be hard to transfer to anything out of state. But as you said, it displays rigor. I have worked extremely hard to do well in those classes, and I feel like I am very prepared for real college.

    In regards to SAT, I definitely know that my scores don't really cut it for Ivy Leagues. I did retake the SAT and am waiting for results (I studied HARD). Again, I won't be applying to any Ivies.

    Thank you though!
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