Transferring to Columbia University???
I'm from the city also, and am taking one more semester at W&M. I transferred into W&M (from Tulane) after my freshman year. I would say that W&M is definitely geared toward those who have a full four years. Acclimating myself as a transfer student was quite difficult, and it was a major reason why I went Greek. Columbia is an entirely different feel, I would imagine. And being in the city, not living in a freshman dorm, and not having the same social hubs (i.e. the library, caf, marketplace, rec, etc.) may be difficult in really integrating yourself into the university. While I know Columbia is not quite as "impersonal" and spread out as NYU, I would not recommend attempting your final two years at a new, especially urban, school...unless you have many friends still in town. William & Mary is far more of a community than most universities (I would imagine that it is in greatest contrast to city schools) can offer. I attended a boarding school of 230 total students, so community is a major pull factor for me. Plus, if you're anything like me, I have always intended to work in New York after college, so there is no reason to not use my college years to escape and experience something new. Anyhow, the decision is obviously up to you. Important employers and influential people have W&M and Columbia pretty much on a par, so I would certainly discourage transferring based on the prestige factor (this is far more important for graduate programs). I would recommend that you seek upward mobility in your social clubs and pursue your interests, as W&M will likely be one of the final environments that fosters them. This will give you further exposure to other leadership and network opportunities that Tribe members will likely be excited to extend to you. (The genuine relationships you create with profs and peers at W&M will be more valuable than with high-demand profs at huge schools like Columbia, where everybody is trying to work the same gig). Just some food for thought. Good luck.
How can I get into Columbia University?
Assuming your unweighted GPA is the 3.94 number, I think you're just the sort of student Columbia would want. Apply early decision to improve your chances. Your ECs look good; keep as many as possible all four years to show genuine interest as opposed to resume-padding. A student leadership position might help (student council, student judiciary, peer group, etc.) but don't freak out about it. Don't worry about anyone not getting into Harvard; it's on a scale of its own. There are 15,000 high schools in the U.S. and the #1 student of practically every single one applies to Harvard, and fewer than 2,000 are admitted each year.
How did you get into Columbia University? What did you mention in your personal statement and supplement? When did you apply? Did you apply early decision/regular decision? Was it worth it?
I applied to Columbia regular decision in the winter of 2009/2010. Because I’m really shitty with deadlines, I applied on January 1st, the application deadline, at around 8 pm using Columbia’s own application system (this was the the year before they went on the Common App). This was coming off a couple all-nighters finishing my application essays for other schools which were due 11:59 pm the night before. I submitted my Stanford app with seconds to spare. I say this with all my heart, don’t do what I did.For my personal statement, I used the same as I used for the Common App. The content of my essay had nothing to do anything else in my application. I did not mention any of my extracurriculars or academics. I went the route of emotional honesty and described one of my major flaws. I wrote about my inability to express my deeper emotions out of my crippling fear of judgment by others, and the psychological toll it’s taken (at least until that point in my life). I also mixed in how I’ve used humor to deflect/obscure any attempts to be truly emotionally genuine, and how I’ve grown by learning to use composing music as a means of expressing deeper feelings. It was a very *me* essay. It was a statement of my perception of myself, and I imagine it went hand-in-hand with my recommendation letters, which likely portrayed me as the (hopefully) lovable class clown that I was in high school.My supplement was much more subdued. I simply wrote about the Core Curriculum and how it fit with my intellectual values. I also mentioned some specifics about the physics department and how it fit with my interests in the subject (I majored in physics, and I made it abundantly clear on my application that it was my intention to do so). I didn’t care to write about NYC, because that really wasn’t one of the major reasons why I was applying.To answer your final question, it was absolutely worth it. Attending Columbia shaped into the man that I am today, for better or worse. The experiences that I had there will stay with me for life.Hope this helps. Good luck.
Columbia university interview?
I interviewed for Columbia University a few years ago. The interview questions are at the discretion of the interviewer, so it varies a lot from person to person. But usually, they will ask you why you are interested in Columbia, and also about your high school activities and anything special you think you can contribute to the Columbia student body. They might ask what other colleges you have applied to, and possibly a few random or surprise questions that you won't expect, just to see how you think. (Like "tell me about a news article you read recently," etc.) No one can predict what the surprise question(s) will be, if any, since the whole point is that the interviewer just makes it up as a surprise. And yes, the interview can help you or hurt you. The interviewer writes a report which the admissions committee reads when they decide on your application.
Im in 9th grade and I want to go to Columbia University in NYC...?
maintain a high GPA, preferably a 4.0. Score high on the SAT's (2200 +) and SAT II's, definitely take a rigorous high school course (take as many AP classes that you can handle), get involved in extra curriculars, sports, leadership, service, start standing out now. Found your own club. Attend a unique camp. Develop a passion. Columbia is VERY competitive, so you definitely have to make the admission officers feel like they have to have you or else they'll be missing out! Best of luck! P.S. Just to give you an idea, my friend just got into Columbia Early Decision. She had an SAT of about a 2240, GPA of about a 3.98, and a very rigorous high school curriculum. She's taking all AP's this semester and next. Plus she has other extra curriculars and wrote a killer essay.
Getting into Columbia University or University of Toronto?
You have to start making much higher grades and get that GPA up as high as it can go. Generally, in order to have a good shot, you need at least 3.7 GPA. You'll need to score very highly on the SAT as well. You definitely need to get involved in some extracurriculars. The Ivy League routinely refuses admissions to valedictorians that didn't do anything besides doing well in school. They have thousands of applicants to sort through, so you'll need something other than excellent grades and test scores to distinguish yourself from the crowd. So join some after school programs, start up a new club, play a sport/musical instrument, do some volunteering, etc. It could even be something like having a unique/interesting part-time job or hobby (ex: starting your own business or building robots).
Is it hard getting into Columbia University in NY from out of state?
I'm currently a junior from California, and I just want to get out. This year, I have a 3.9 gpa and I am taking rigorous classes. My communalative gpa is around 3.9 also. I've been in band for 3 years (and continuing until I graduate) and just joined the swim team (will be there this and next year) These both count as extra curricular activities. I'm thinking of taking some classes at my local community college to boost my gpa, along with volunteering at my local hospital, since I want to major in the medical field as a nurse. Do you think it'll be hard for me getting in? Thanks for your answers:) Also, can I major in nursing over there?