<p>So, I’m a junior right now, but I want to do some research to get ready–so I just wanted to know if these credentials are in the range for Columbia…</p>
<p>If it makes a difference, environmental engineering. If its not too much of a reach I want to apply ED (aka if my grades are in the range for any school, I’ll apply ED)</p>
<p>Grades:
no AP, IB in school–> just all honors except some classes: so “most rigorous courseload”
most rigorous high school compared to other schools in state but we’ve had 2 people apply: 1 denied. 1 waitlisted
Freshman Year: B+'s in bio and electives, A-'s in US history, english and geometry, A’s in foreign lang.</p>
<p>Junior year (current): as of now–Straight A’s --ancient history, english, german, trig, 2 electives (but I could get an A- in physics II)</p>
<p>worst-comes-to worse: 3.8 GPA: rank–I get slaughtered in this aspect–12/50</p>
<p>I know Columbia is interested in a lot other things besides grades, but I have ECs and test scores–so all I want to find out about is grades…thanks! honest opinions are always valued…so feel free to tell me that my credentials are way off…btw does Columbia recalc. GPA?</p>
<p>Columbia will understand as long as you get your counselor to include a written statement that sort of explains your school circumstances (and your school profile sheet will probably help too). I basically had my counselor write something like</p>
<p>“Freshman year… thebeef took the most rigorous curriculum… Sophomore year… thebeef took this summer AP course, received an A- in blabblah due to absences, continued with most rigorous curriculum… Junior year… etc”</p>
<p>I’d also say your worse grades in freshman year won’t hurt you as much because you’ve got solid marks in soph/jr year.</p>
<p>Eh… as I said they’ll understand. Is it weighted/unweighted? Not all top 10%'s are created equal, and Columbia knows that. Just include the written explanation and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Don’t freak out about the GPA; if you browse the ED results thread, you’ll see that plenty of us got in with a lower GPA, myself included. Make sure that Columbia knows that the rank isn’t weighted, but still try your best to bring it up. Nevertheless, as thebeef said, not all top 10s are created equal, and Columbia does keep that in mind. You’re definitely in the range where it’s worth it to apply, although it’s probably a reach, as it is from 99.999999% of everybody.</p>
<p>They’ll most likely recognize that your school offers a rigorous curriculum, and forgive you your rank/GPA. Nonetheless, keep up those A’s.</p>
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<p>I’d advise you to look at the ED decisions for this year. Unless you have a 2400 SAT, 800 SAT IIs, and have developed a cure for cancer there’s always room to improve. Columbia, like any other Ivy, has crazy-high standards, and the majority of applicants have good test scores and good EC’s.</p>