<p>haha yeah actually i felt like a lot of ppl got in this year
i personally know a lot of ppl who got accepted (including me :P) and they probably just didn’t write it on here
i might put my stats up later haha</p>
<p>oh and btw columbia college and columbia engineering are verryryyyy different
i think engineering is a lot easier to get into so for the other ppl can you please specify which one u applied to?? thankss</p>
<p>[ size=+1][ color=blue][ b]Decision: Rejected [ /b][ /color][ /size]</p>
<p>[ b]Stats:[ /b][ list]
[<em>] SAT: 800 Math, 760 Reading, 800 Writing
[</em>] SAT IIs: 800 Math II, 750 Biology
[<em>] GPA: 97.2
[</em>] Rank: 14/434
[ *] Other stats:
[ /list][ b]Subjective:[ /b][ list]
[ *] Essays: Supposedly fantastic
[ *] ECs: Good stuff I thought.
[ *] Teacher Recs: One was fantastic, one was good
[ *] Counselor Rec: Idk
[ *] Hook (if any): N/A
[ /list][ b]Location/Person:[ /b][ list]
[ *] State or Country: NY
[ *] School Type: Religious
[ *] Ethnicity: Asian >_>
[ *] Gender: M
[ /list][ b]Other Factors:[ /b]
[ b]General Comments:[ /b] W/e. Guess I’ll try my luck with the other ivies</p>
<p>For future applicants to Columbia:</p>
<p>Number of applicants thus far / Average SAT score</p>
<p>Accepted: 20 / 2241.5
Deferred: 19 / 2162.63
Rejected: 25 / 2200.4</p>
<p>Percent Accepted: 20/64 = 31.3%
Percent Deferred: 19/64 = 29.6%
Percent Rejected: 25/64 = 39.1%</p>
<p>Of course, there could be bias based on tendencies of the applicants to post stats, for whatever reason. Just use for own reference.</p>
<p>Decision: Deferred</p>
<p>[ b]Stats:[ /b][ list]
[<em>] SAT: 2240 (CR:800, M:720, W:720)
[</em>] SAT IIs: Physics:710, Math 1: 700 <—i honestly believe that it was my subject test scores that didn’t get me in.
[<em>] GPA: Just over 100% weighted.
[</em>] Rank: 9/190
[<em>] Other stats:
[/list]Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Essays: Good, discussed imagination, told a story, really enjoyable!
[<em>] ECs: MASSIVE AMOUNTS. and six leadership positions this year alone. i think this helped alot.
[</em>] Teacher Recs: Really fantastic, 
[<em>] Counselor Rec: Probably generic
[</em>] Hook (if any): None really. : /
[/ul]Location/Person:[ul]
[<em>] State or Country: NY
[</em>] School Type: small public
[<em>] Ethnicity: white (didnt help, haha)
[</em>] Gender: Male
[/ul]Other Factors:
General Comments:</p>
<p>Congratulations from a Cornell EDer! Hope you guys all the best!</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted (CC)
Stats:
SAT: 2360 (CR 760 M 800 W 800)
SAT IIs: 600 US History, 740 US History, 800 Chem, 790 Math II, 800 Bio
GPA: UW 3.8 W 5.2
Rank: Barely top 10%
Other stats: APs: four 5s, one 4, one 3</p>
<p>Subjective:
Essays: very honest and down to earth (scrapped two or three extended metaphor essays for it). Basically told the story of my evolution from a freshman in 2 level 1 classes (math and science) to the person I am today
ECs: 4 years of Yearbook <3 (EIC), 3 years of NJ Science League (plaques in Bio I and II), 2 years in Science Olympiad (Captain this year and three medals earned), 2 years in Waksman (attended summer program), 4 years volunteering at local hospital (>200 hrs)
Teacher Recs: not really sure about my english teacher rec but I worked very hard her class, hahah. Bio teacher rec was very good, he really knew me from the Waksman summer program and Waksman during the year, supplemental yearbook recommendation was very specific and truthful
Counselor Rec: all right, based on rave sheets we filled out for the GCs
Hook (if any): none</p>
<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: NJ
School Type: public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male</p>
<p>Other Factors: I think the only reason I got in was because my whole application showed my rising trend from level 1 classes and 1 EC to all APs and leadership roles. Rising trend was very present.
General Comments:
- If you have a part of your application, like a really important EC or volunteering activity, you don’t always need to stuff it in your common app essay or supplements or additional info. A good way to include it is a single supplementary rec from that club advisor or director and it’ll speak just as effectively as if you wrote it yourself (if the advisor knows you).
- You can get in without a 4.0 or all honors and etc.
Good luck to everyone applying regular or who got deferred! Hope this gives someone some hope or helps make an app a little better put together.</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted!</p>
<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>] SAT: 2270 - CR 720, M 770, W 780
[</em>] SAT IIs: US History 750, Chemistry 770, Math IIC 800
[<em>] GPA: 4.63 weighted
[</em>] Rank: N/A
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Essays: My commonapp one was about my basically “nomadic” past; I moved to a new country practically every year and my supplement was about the reasons why I want to go to Columbia.
[</em>] ECs: Played the violin for 14 years, Orchestra (Concertmaster) - 4 years, founder and leader of musical ensemble at church, avid participant in local nonprofit organization - 4 years, tri-county orchestra, All-State Orchestra (ranked 5th violinist in the state) - 2 years, French Club secretary, basketball statistician, videographer, and manager, co-president of animal community service club, worked as an English tutor to five non-native speakers one summer, served at a nursing home in Paris one summer.
[<em>] Teacher Recs: Didn’t read, but they told me it was an “honor” to write for me. One was from my AP Chem teacher and the other was from my French teacher.
[</em>] Counselor Rec: She told me it was the best two pages she ever wrote.
[<em>] Hook (if any): Having lived in six countries and having gone to ten different schools.
[/ul]Location/Person:[ul]
[</em>] State or Country: FL
[<em>] School Type: Competitive private (~200) that sends numerous students to Ivies each year.
[</em>] Ethnicity: Asian
[li] Gender: Female[/li][/ul]Other Factors:
My interviewers seemed insane but the interview itself actually lasted nearly two hours! I must have done something right
General Comments:
I definitely think my moving around but staying resilient had a great impact on my admission; it set me apart form everyone else that applied from my area, or even my ethnicity. I tried to bring that aspect of myself out a lot because I knew it was the one thing that was unique to me. Regarding my ECs, I just did things that interested/excited me i.e. Basketball (management? haha) and it may look like an eclectic set of activities but the fact that I went deeply with one or two things showed that I went for depth as opposed to bredth.
SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!</p>
<p>Oh for whoever wanted us to specify what we got accepted to, I was accepted to Columbia College with academic interests in Chemistry, East Asian Studies, and Economics.</p>
<p>Decision: Deferred (SEAS)</p>
<p>Stats:
SAT: 2100 - CR 600, M 800, W 700 (took three times)
ACT: 32
SAT IIs: Physics 790, Chemistry 770, Math IIC 800
GPA: 4.2 weighted
Rank: 3/600
Subjective:
Essays: Wrote about my personal visions and how Columbia’s Core will help me. Also wrote about my passion toward quanum mechanics and desire to become an electrical engineer
ECs: Praise Leader at church. Founder of math club. President of Academic Decathlon. Vice of Red Cross. Secretary of numerous clubs. Stanford EPGY. Volunteerings.
Teacher Recs: One from AP Calc teacher and one from World/Euro history teacher. Math teacher especially loves me.
Counselor Rec: I am OOHFS
Hook (if any): nothing particular
State or Country: CA
School Type: public. 600/class . Seen one girl going to Cornell in my freshman year, which is the last ivy I’ve seen
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male </p>
<p>I mean, I am happy to be deferred As soon as they see my senior grade, they will reject me though</p>
<p>Decision: ACCEPTED</p>
<p>Stats:
SAT: 2190 (700 CR 700 M 790 W)
SAT IIs: 760 Math II 740 Bio M 670 Lit
GPA: 94.976 (unweighted)
Rank: top 10%
Other stats: 35 ACT</p>
<p>Subjective:
Essays: really really good, i spent hours on them and i’m convinced this was a major factor. i talked about a trip to china and how i met met americans who taught me to appreciate oddballs. it was really genuine
ECs: lots. student school board representative, student council rep, class officer, varsity tennis team, varsity ski team, peer support group, service trip to guatemala, community service including organizing a very successful fundraiser for a charity, many film internships, jobs, volunteering on election campaigns, organizing voter registration drives, etc. just many different things im interested in
Teacher Recs: amazing. didn’t read them but both of them loved me
Counselor Rec: she said it was one of the best she’s ever written, didn’t read
Hook (if any): gay</p>
<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: Maine
School Type: suburban, medium public
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male</p>
<p>Other Factors:
General Comments: honestly, i’m pretty surprised. everyone for months told me i was going to get in, but i guess i let all of the other pages of stats convince me otherwise. what i’d give for advice to future applicants is to just be yourself. don’t lie about ANYTHING in the application (i was honest that i don’t have as much time for reading as i used to so i only read 4 or 5 books for pleasure last year, and i’m talking Dan Brown type books, not War and Peace), get involved in everything that interests you, and sometimes a positive attitude can help you more than you’d ever imagine</p>
<p>**Decision: REJECTED</p>
<p>**Stats: ****[ul]
[<em>] SAT: Reading 740, Writing 800, Math 760 (2300 total) one sitting
[</em>] SAT IIs: Math 2c 800, USH 800, Lit 690 (whoooops!)
[<em>] GPA: 3.95-- (academic 4.0, I got two B’s in an elective class), weighted probably around a 4.5 (took a full ap/honors courseload junior year)
[</em>] Rank: n/a
[<em>] Other stats: 5’s on the following AP tests: USH, Calc AB, Enviromental Science, Language
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Essays: Hit-or-miss. For my common app I wrote an analysis of makeup as a means for self-empowerment, pretty much an intellectual view of my interest in cosmetology. I thought it was unique–it talked about how an experience with cancer patients at a makeover changed my view on self-empowerment and self-confidence, but I can see how it’s difficult for some readers to connect to (it was titled Lipstick Confidence)</p>
<p>Why columbia was about why I love LitHum and the core curriculum overall.
[<em>] ECs: 4 years of competitive cheerleading, JV captain and Varisty captain on a very competitive, very busy squad (about 15 hours per week all year round spent at practice, games, competitions, random other stuff)
2 years of student government, led a team that’s now starting a recycling program on campus
writes/blogs for an online magazine
writes for a local high-schooler run magazine
pretty basic volunteerwork
coached and choreographed powderpuff cheerleading for all 4 years (this was kind of for fun)
school newspaper (senior year only, also kind of for fun)
Speech and debate for 2 years (mainly to explain where the first half of my high school went)
[</em>] Teacher Recs: Should have been great–my history teacher loved that I was applying to an obscure history major
[<em>] Counselor Rec: must be amazing. She’s my leadership advisor and I’ve been working with her for forever on the recycling program. She called me the most capable lead for my team that they’re going to have for a very very very long time.
[</em>] Hook (if any): A cheerleader with good stats and a passion for history?
[/ul]Location/Person:[ul]
[<em>] State or Country: CA
[</em>] School Type: Super competitive (API of around 950), 70% asian
[<em>] Ethnicity: Asian
[</em>] Gender: F
[/ul]Other Factors:
General Comments:</p>
<p>Heartbroken as well. Columbia was my dream school for so long and it’s hard to think that I won’t get another chance at it for undergrad (Columbia Law class of 2019, here I come!) I’m getting over it by reading about Brown and Penn’s history programs ( I had applied Columbia’s Medieval and Renaissance studies program).</p>
<p>I have always been iffy about whether or not my EC’s are a boon or a hindrance. They are certainly unique–an interest in makeup, a cheerleader, lots of school spirit related activities, but they also lack an academic focus like research, internships, summer classes etc. I’m now concerned because I viewed Columbia as the one ivy that preferred these sorts of people over the super academic ones, and now I’m aiming for those other schools. I guess I’ll emphasize my academic side (and ridiculous passion for history) in my essays.</p>
<p>Congrats to those who made it, but honestly Columbia admissions office went whack this year.**</p>
<p>Decision: deferred</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<pre><code>* SAT: 1900; 560: math, 610: writing 730: critical reading
- SAT IIs: 680: US History, 560: Literature (Yes, I know HORRENDOUS!)
- GPA: 3.6 weighted
- Rank: no ranking
- Other stats: National Achievement Program Outstanding Participant (97th percentile of black students taking the PSAT); currently taking AP American Government, AP Psychology, AP Lit; AP Bio: 3, AP US: 4, AP Lang&Comp: 4; 2008, 2009, 2010 NJ All State Mixed Chorus (#4 for my section - Alto II this year); 2011 MENC All-Eastern Chorus (you can only get accepted IF you’re in the All-State top 20)
</code></pre>
<p>Subjective:</p>
<pre><code>* Essays: I focused on my love of the Arts program above all else; it is AMAZING. My CommonApp was about my best friends & how they helped me to let me be myself.
- ECs: singing in my school’s two most selective choirs (Women’s Vocal Chamber Ensemble - 4 years, Madrigals Singers - 2 years), boys basketball manager - 3 years, co-director of costume/makeup in the drama department - 3 years, 1st time actor this past fall, model united nations for 3 years - co-executive this year, senior head of the global outreach (diversity) club, camp counselor for the past 4 summers, key club member, fashion editor for the Argo (school newspaper), varsity lacrosse player - freshman year, & plenty of other things I can’t think of at the top of my head; I’m literally always doing something.
- Teacher Recs: Two of my best classes/favorite teachers.
- Counselor Rec: I’m assuming wonderful; my counselor and I are best friends.
- Hook (if any): I spend all my time doing extracurriculars but somehow I manage to maintain a relatively decent GPA? I also write a fashion blog. Also, singing - I sent a CD.
</code></pre>
<p>Location/Person:</p>
<pre><code>* State or Country: dirty jerz - central
- School Type: small, private
- Ethnicity: black
- Gender: female
</code></pre>
<p>Other Factors/General Comments: </p>
<p>I’m feeling alright. I can apply to other schools and I’ll hear back hopefully good news in March/April. Columbia is the ONE place that I’m totally in love with and I’m so happy I didn’t get rejected. My grandfather freaked out - he went there for both Undergrad & Grad; he’s the only person who wants me to go to Columbia more than I do.</p>
<p>Decision: REJECTED!</p>
<p>Stats:
SAT: 2260 (Reading 770, Math 690, Writing 800)
SAT IIs: Spanish 790, Math I 690
GPA: 4.18 (I don’t know my unweighted GPA)
Rank: n/a
Other stats: IP Diploma Candidate, 4 Higher Level CLasses (The usual is 3)</p>
<p>Essays: I think this was actually the best part of my application. My common app essay was relatively introspective, funny, and I think interesting. My Columbia essay was decent as well, very succinct. Perhaps not the most original, but honest. </p>
<p>ECs:
4 Years of Model UN. 3 conferences in The Netherlands. Was appointed to a very competitive committee this year, with international competition for admittance.</p>
<p>4 Years of theatre. Several lead roles, bla bla blaaa (I shadowed a theatre company in Northern Ireland and am now staging a show in the style of the company/wrote a research essay about it)</p>
<p>I write an online blog with an international following</p>
<p>Summers: 2010-Solo-exchange trip to Argentina, 2009- 4 week program in Barcelona, 2010-Shadowed a theatre company in Northern Ireland and wrote my Extended Essay (A Research essay needed for IB) on the experience.</p>
<p>Service: Tutor kids who speak Spanish as a first language at a nearby elementary school</p>
<p>Founder of TOK Film Club at my school (Theory of Knowledge/TOK is an IB class)</p>
<p>Cheerleader in 9th grade (then moved to a school w/o cheer)</p>
<p>Teacher Recs: I never got to read them so I don’t feel I can honestly assess this. My teachers have said very kind things in the past, but who knows!</p>
<p>Counselor Rec: Probably fine, maybe great. Once again, how would I know?</p>
<p>Hook (if any): I go to an international school, have lots of solo travel experience, and speak fluent Spanish although my parents are American and we speak English at home (I don’t know if that counts as a real hook) My fashion blog has seen some success/ is very non-academic.</p>
<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: GA
School Type: Private, Very Competitive, All IB
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: F
Other Factors: not apply for financial aid. </p>
<p>General Comments: So it goes! I was a little disappointed with my rejected from Columbia, but I’ve come to terms with it. It wasn’t meant to be. I’m not sure exactly how they approached their ED pool this year, but I know I’m in good company when it comes to the caliber of students who were rejected.</p>
<p>Decision: Deferred</p>
<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT: 2230 (CR 670, M 760, W 800)
[</em>] SAT IIs: 730 on Math IIC, 650 on French Reading
[<em>] GPA: 3.88 W (3.63 UW)
[</em>] Rank: n/a, but I’m near the bottom of the second decile in a class of 174
[<em>] Other stats: IB Diploma candidate with a predicted 41/45 points
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Essays: I thought they were pretty good!
[<em>] ECs: Too lazy to list, but let’s just say that my ECs are great and very arts-focused (while still remaining sufficiently well-rounded with leadership, sports, etc.)
[</em>] Teacher Recommendations: Superb
[<em>] Counselor Recommendation: Great
[</em>] Hook: Heavy involvement with the arts, very popular with administration (if those even count hahaha)
[/ul]Location/Person:[ul]
[<em>] Country: Philippines
[</em>] School Type: International (IASAS school)
[<em>] Ethnicity: Filipino
[</em>] Gender: Male
[/ul]Other Factors:
- I played classical piano for seven years, taking exams administered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in the United Kingdom. I ultimately reached Grade 6 for both classical piano and theory of music before I stopped. I was able to put several achievements in my resume related to this.</p>
<ol>
<li>At the end of my junior year, I received my school’s Renaissance Award for outstanding achievements in film, theatre, and music. It is not awarded every year and has only ever been awarded to graduating seniors in the past.</li>
</ol>
<p>General Comments:
While the deferral was initially bittersweet (as expected), I really do feel honored to be able to say that Columbia deferred my application instead of reject me straight out. I’m quite a weak candidate as far as statistics are concerned but I truly believe that Columbia is a great fit for me and I feel like I was able to communicate this really well through my essays. My teacher and counselor recs really helped out too. I still love you, Columbia!</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted
Stats:
SAT: 2180 (CR: 730 M: 690 W: 760)
SAT IIs: 750 Spanish, 700 Math II
GPA: 97.1 W
Rank: Top 10%
Other stats:</p>
<p>Subjective:
Essays: written really well, first time I sang in public (music is a huge part of my life)</p>
<p>ECs: Varsity Mock Trial, President of Community Service Club, Student Moderator of Glee Club, Vocal director of play, vocal coach of liturgy (music ministry), chess club, National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society, Music Honor Society
Jobs: Intern under Chief Clerk at Nassau County Board of Elections
Teacher Recs: excellent
Counselor Rec: excellent
Hook (if any): Hispanic
Location/Person: NY
State or Country: NY
School Type: private, small all girl’s catholic
Ethnicity: Hspanic
Gender: Female
Other Factors: Speak 3 Languages, Classical piano for 12 years, teaching music to underprivileged children, singing in church choir
General Comments: I really think it was my essays and my extra curriculars that set me apart. Definitely my job too.</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted</p>
<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>] SAT: 2330 (CR: 750, M: 780, W: 800)
[</em>] SAT IIs: Bio-E 750, Chem 800, Math II 800
[<em>] GPA: Not entirely sure but around 4.26 W
[</em>] Rank: Top 10%
[<em>] Other stats: AP Stats 5, AP Chem 5, AP Bio 5, AP French 4
[/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Essays: Very good imo. I spent a lot of time going over them and wrote about something important to me. Who knows though.
[<em>] ECs: Writing a research paper on the prevalence of adolescent suicide that should be submitted for publishing sometime in the near future, captain of the fencing team, member of various clubs and academic teams
[</em>] Teacher Recs: Good I suppose
[<em>] Counselor Rec: Excellent. My guidance counselor really likes me.
[</em>] Hook (if any): nope
[/ul]
Location/Person:[ul]
[<em>] State or Country: NJ, USA
[</em>] School Type: Public
[<em>] Ethnicity: White
[</em>] Gender: Male
[/ul]Other Factors: Didn’t apply for financial aid.
General Comments: Probably my ECs that made me stick out.</p>
<p>why did so many people with less than stellar SATs get accepted</p>
<p>because the SATs are not the end-all, be-all of applications! there are so many other factors to take into account!!!</p>
<p>snowballer, a 1700 on the SAT or above is stellar. keep in mind that the average SAT score is between 1500 and 1600, give or take a few hundred points. 2000, 2100, etc, is very good in the world of normal people, lol</p>
<p>and like collegegrr said, they’re only one part of the admissions process, just one factor. they don’t really say anything about you. other than that you know how to play the SAT game and get a good score. there are many other things to take into account.</p>