AP Statistics Practice Exam for teachers?

Should I bother applying to Columbia?

• My SAT scores were: 720 Writing 680 Reading 630 Math However, I only studied for the former two, so I'm retaking it again after vigorously studying math also, so I'm expecting a higher score on that one. I've taken 3 AP classes so far, and I'm a junior. (AP classes weren't offered at the school I was in freshman and sophomore year, because I was in a backwoods WV school, although I did take every honors class I could) The AP classes I took this year were: AP US History AP English Language and Composition (I had this class for the latter half of the year, honors wasn't challenging enough and I was going to take the AP test anyways, so I moved up.) AP Psychology (self studied) My GPA was 3.65 (3.875 weighted) at my old school, but it's been 4.0 (4.6 weighted) ever since I got to my new school. Senior year I'll be taking: AP Calculus AB (BC isn't offered) AP US Government and Politics AP Biology (even though I already have biology) AP Statistics AP English Literature Honors Physics (taking AP Physics B exam at the end of the year) I started and was the President of the Debate Club at my old school, and I'll be starting a Model UN at my new school, because it's relatively new. I also started and hosted a blood drive with my girlfriend at the school, sponsored by FBLA. And we started a Relay for Life team, and help with the March for Dimes (also with FBLA). I'll be submitting a supplemental application for music to the colleges I apply to of me playing the first movement of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto (without orchestra). I'll be applying to: MIT (reach school) University of Chicago University of California-Berkeley University of Pennsylvania Washington University in St. Louis Carnegie Mellon Rice University West Virginia University (safety school, close to home) I know I need to raise my math score significantly. This first time I took it I didn't know any of the strategies involved and hadn't studied at all, but now I'm using Princeton Review and Perfect800 to study for that. With diagnostic tests I've taken at my school, the AP teachers told me I could expect a 5 on the History and at least 4's on the Psychology and English this year. After all of this background, my question is: Should I even bother applying to Columbia or any other Ivies? I won't be applying early decision, because I'm going to apply early action to at least MIT and UChicago. If you could suggest any other colleges too, that'd be helpful. I'm really wanting an urban setting, too, mainly so I don't have to pay insurance on a car. I'm going to relying quite a bit on financial aid, which may rule out Berkeley. I really want to major in physics or mathematics, and am willing to minor in music for scholarship money. Thanks a lot, people of Yahoo Answers. You've solved my conundrums quite a few times, hopefully you can help this time too. If I can remember anything else, I'll put it in the Additional Details.

• Answer:

  If you are interested in Columbia or an ivy league school, you should apply. I think you have a decent shot at being accepted. But if you are just applying for the heck of it, don't waste your time. Or just apply if you have time after you finish your other applications. With the common app, the only thing you'll have to do specifically for Columbia/an ivy is the supplement. Which requires some writing, but not a lot of extra effort. Also, I REALLY recommend applying to a few more "lower" schools (they are good schools that would be safety schools for you but maybe a reach for someone else...private schools like RPI or Boston U) if you are going to be relying heavily on financial aid. They might give you more aid or more scholarships, which are nice to have as a backup option or as something to mention to the person working in the financial aid/admissions office if you find yourself in need of more financial aid in order to realistically attend your dream school. Some schools, like MIT, probably won't consider other financial offers, but I know Carnegie Mellon does in order to avoid going to the waitlist (This is what someone from the financial aid office told me. I'm an accepted student currently in this process at CMU.) It sucks to be accepted to the school you want to attend but possibly not be able to go there because of finances, so I thought I'd pass along this information to you. If you want to improve your math score, I seriously recommend just doing lots of practice tests. I was in a situation similar to yours: I took the SAT once without really studying, got 730 on both Writing and Reading but in the mid 600s on my math, and was looking to raise my math score the second time I took the test. Instead of working through my review books or any specific program, I did all of the math sections from practice tests from the collegeboard SAT review book and some random review books. I found that just getting used to the type of math problems on the SAT really helped, since most of them weren't difficult and I had been making silly mistakes on them. It worked for me (780 on math the second time, not a perfect score but pretty decent), so I thought I'd just let you know. Good luck next year!