Am I a realistic applicant?

Colleges & Universities Columbia University
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<p>Note: I’m a horrible test taker. I’m very, very bad at taking test.
I recently got my ACT marks back- a 30. I know this is really low for application to Columbia but I’m a very well rounded person. What is weighing me down is science and math- a 26/28, 27/28 (I took the ACT twice and had a 30 on both). However, my essay scored a perfect 12. I’m a very strong writer and reader. I’m hoping to get a dual major in political sciences/economics and I would love to go to Columbia. It’s my top choice.</p>

<p>I have a 4.0 GPA with 100% in several of my subjects. I’m graduating a year early.
I was also sponsored to go to Canadian Parliament (I’m from BC) by my MP and present a Private Member’s Bill. I got to very briefly meet the Canadian Prime Minister as well. I’m in all the AP subjects my school offers (2 LOL) and I’m top of the class in almost all my courses. I volunteer at a homeless shelter, I’m a member of a women’s rights group, I’m a participant at the YWCA mentorship program, I have coached badminton and soccer to kids, I’m a certified Bullying Prevention facilitator with the Red Cross and have given workshops around the community, I have been on honour roll since the start of high school, I have participated in several math competitions, I am a member of my school’s Reach for the Top team, I’m in an extra-curricular Leadership course, I am on an awards committee, I am a dancer, I play the violin, I volunteer with kids at a cultural centre, etc.</p>

<p>So, basically, I am a people-person. My strengths are mostly coordination and participation. I know I have to boost up my math mark but I’m just awful at taking math tests (but my mark at school is a 97%). My science mark was bad on both tests and it’s always been bad so I really have no excuses for that haha.</p>

<p>I’m participating in the online chat with Columbia this Friday, but can anyone please tell me if I, realistically, would be a good candidate for Columbia undergrad? I don’t want to get my hopes up and then not get in. I also have no gotten my SAT IIs back yet.</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

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<p>Oh, and I’m female (if that helps haha) and a first-gen. Canadian. My parents immigrated from the former Soviet Union. I speak English, Russian, and French.</p>

<p>And, I’m retaking my ACT standby. But as it stands right now, what are my chances?</p>

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<p>I think you’re an okay applicant, esp. with the foreign, first-gen background. Play that up.
And try to boost up your application by participating in more math/science Extra cirrucular activites to show that you try to do well in it even though you’re not really a math oriented person.</p>