Do I even have a chance?

3puppies
Wed, 08 Mar 2017 14:30:06 +0000

OP, you are obviously a smart, very hard working kid, and you will do well wherever you end up. You are smart enough to understand your chances are not great, and you also understand that the vast majority of applicants are rejected because there simply are not enough spots for everyone.

What you have going for you is an incredible work ethic, and you clearly thrive when you challenge yourself. You are taking a brutal schedule and doing very well. I am not sure what your weighted GPA 98 means, because you are taking such a schedule, but Columbia and other schools will know from your school’s profile.

While your standardized tests and AP test scores are not great, your class rank and URM/1st gen status will help. I actually think your work history helps you more than you may think, especially because you still manage somehow to do everything else. Do you sleep at all?

I am not sure how much being a gay activist matters to admissions these days. Similarly, there are LOTS of very talented musicians applying for school - not to say they are like you. As for 1st gen status - did your parents have any post-secondary education before they immigrated?

Congrats on Vandy, and keep your fingers crossed for Columbia. It is not impossible, but even if it doesn’t happen, you will do well wherever you end up.

Where else have you applied?