chance me? 2016 hopefull

Colleges & Universities Columbia University
1

<p>Rising senior–I am leaning toward an ED application to Columbia but I don’t know how I feel about the core curriculum; I worry that it dominates the academic setting. I love NYC and have been considering NYU and Barnard seriously but Columbia feels like the natural first choice. </p>

<p>SAT (one sitting but superscore nevertheless): W-800 M-650 CR-720 (2170)
GPA: my school does not calculate GPA but I have a high A- average (like a 92 or 93) with an upward trend from freshman to junior year (A-s to As).
APs: Art History (5), English Lit (5), United States History (5), Studio Art portfolio (4) (self-studied)
Senior schedule: AP French, Pre-calculus, AP European History, English, Studio art (highest level), Anatomy (second term only)
ECs: Editor-in-chief of award-winning school newspaper, committed artist in and out of school (I have anywhere from 6 to 12 hours of class total each week; the word “prodigy” has been used before), “Senior mentor” (elite program at my school in which seniors are chosen to guide freshmen through their first year), 4 years varsity crew, community service at Yale New Haven hospital every week since junior year, volunteer at a literacy program for underprivileged women and possibly a volunteer at Planned Parenthood for the upcoming year, participated in 2 Shakespeare productions Freshman/Sophomore year
Summers:
after 9th grade- summer program at Yale (not prestigious or highly academic)
after 10th grade- 6-week intensive summer school to finish required history course early; allowed me to fit art history into my junior year schedule
after 11th grade- Columbia high school program for creative writing
Possible hooks: Very, very good art and good creative writing (will send supplements for both)</p>

<p>My essays will be good because writing is one of my strengths. I go to an academically intense private day school in CT (we send tons of students to Ivies each year), so my college counselor insists that my senior year courseload is reasonable with my time-consuming extracurriculars; I worry that I need an extra class. I’m dying to take a Holocaust elective but would it be wiser to take a science course, despite my apathy toward science in general?</p>

<p>I hear from people all the time that I’m an ‘ideal candidate’ for the Ivies but I am worried about my math classes and courses for senior year. I am not a “cookie cutter” candidate and I would offer a lot to a school holistically but my scores may just not match up. Feedback would be much appreciated!!</p>

2

<p>I was worried when I read that you’re only taking Pre-Calculus with a 2170 SAT. But if that’s the norm at your school, I guess you’re fine. And also, I’m assuming you haven’t taken the SAT II’s yet? If you haven’t then take them first, see how you do, then decide where you’ll be EDing. I wouldn’t waste an opportunity to ED to a reasonable match than to waste an ED on an unlikely match, right? In your essays explain WHY you choose New York City/Columbia over any school and emphasize your high interest in Art.</p>

3

<p>i’m surprised you’ve only taken one sitting of the SAT.
get your SAT II’s done well and out of the way; and you’ve probably heard this plenty, but you will wanna try and bring up your math score if you can (take the ACT if you haven’t - don’t even waste much time preparing for it - i took it once without much preparing b/c my counselor pushed me to, and i got a 34 vs. a 2220). People get in with superscores well below yours; no worries.</p>

<p>I think Columbia will like you, which is really all it comes down to, but it will depend a good amount on your essays and recommendations. I’d say that’s what your admission will depend on, because everything you have so far IMO puts you in a good spot.</p>

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<p>quick edit: I did take the SATIIs but forgot to list them. US history 700, English lit 750, and French 680. I’m going to retake French and hopefully boost it to a 750+. Thanks for the responses!</p>