Put on the chance pants? -- ED, Art Major.

Colleges & Universities Columbia University
1

<p>Hm, well I posted in the “What are my chances” board but got like one reply. Perhaps people here will be more helpful?</p>

<p>I’m planning to major in Visual Arts. Of course, most people here can’t really judge my portfolio with that, but I do want to see how I look in general.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS
GPA (unweighted) - 3.7
GPA (weighted) - 4.6
SAT - 800 (CR) / 800 (Writing) / 690 (Math) = 2290 total… should I retake?
SAT IIs - haven’t taken them yet
AP’s - French (5), U.S. History (5)
taking 4 APs this year: Art, English, Stat, European History, French Literature

  • worth noting I suppose is that I skipped a grade in math and French (the only two subjects that my school allows people to skip grades in).
  • placed in the top 5 for the National French Contest 3 years.
  • attending a pretty competitive suburban public school, generally ranked among top 3 in the region. Class size about 400.
  • no class rank.</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS

  • art editor of literary magazine (3 yrs)
  • member of global awareness fundraising club (4 yrs)
  • co-founder of folklore club (2 yrs)
  • ~50 hours of community service.
  • various private art lessons since elementary school.
  • attended Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts.
  • this year, I’m planning to do a graphic design internship, volunteer at a retirement home, and do half a semester of work study at a college art studio. I don’t know if I should put all of that though, I mean will they think I’m just piling on the ECs to make my app look good?
  • planning to defer college for a year to work at Americorps.</p>

<p>ESSAYS/RECS

  • Both should be very solid.</p>

<p>WEAKNESSES

  • I hardly ever enter competitions so I don’t have much to put for awards/honors.
  • as you can probably tell, my ECs aren’t great. I’m not that well-rounded outside of the art stuff, although I have meddled in MUN/debate club… but I never really dedicated myself to any of that. Is it still worth putting down?</p>

<p>Right, so. Do I even have a shot?</p>

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<p>I think your GPA is decent, so are your SAT’s. Your math score isn’t too hot but I think the V and CR makes up for that–so I don’t recommend retaking. </p>

<p>I liked the last two bullets on your EC’s: I think those will really strengthen your application, so portray them well. Don’t worry about being not that well rounded, you clearly love art and have a passion for it, so make sure that shows through.</p>

<p>All said and done, if you package it nicely, you have a good shot.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it =D</p>

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<p><em>cough</em> um. Anyone else?</p>