lzha97
lzha97,
Columbia
B.S., Operations Research
I am a CP Davis Scholar in Columbia SEAS. I graduated from a competitive high school/region. Let me know if you need any help as you embark on the application process!
Features Included
11
Essays
10
Schools
6
Scores
7
Advice
5
ECs
0
Sports

Background

Hometown Allen, Texas
GenderFemale
EthnicityAsian
AdmissionRegular Decision
Class of2020
First Gen College StudentYes
English First Language Yes
Other Language(s) Spoken Mandarin, French

Results, Essays, and Advice

Accepted
Waitlisted or Withdrew
Denied
  • Columbia University (New York, NY)
  • Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
  • California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA)
  • Rice University (Houston, TX)
  • University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
  • University of Texas - Austin (Austin, TX)
  • Yale University (New Haven, CT)
  • Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
  • Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
  • University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
Tap/click a school logo above to view essays and advice specific to that school.

Columbia University (New York, NY)

Applied for a B.S. in Operations Research

Accepted and Enrolled Legacy: No

School Specific Essays

Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
99 Words
Excerpt from my 'why Columbia' essay: "When I think back to my visit of Columbia's campus, I remember sitting on the steps of Butler Library, reading the names of Sophocles, Plato, Milton and other great thinkers etched onto the grand building. I remember asking the tour guide about her research in biomedical engineering and her upcoming plan to study abroad. I remember standing on the beautiful lawn beneath Low Memorial Hall, enjoying the enclosed feel of the campus while hearing...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
123 Words
Answer to Columbia's 'what do you read for fun' question: A Brief History of Time Billions and Billions A Short History of Nearly Everything The Invention and Discovery of the 'God Particle' A Wind in the Door The Bonesetter's Daughter Japanese Tales and Legends Memoirs of a Geisha Siddhartha Haroun and the Sea of Stories Midnights Children The Cellist of Sarajevo The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness One Hundred Years of Solitude Madame Bovary Life of Pi...
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Supplemental Essay: Diversity statement
457 Words
Full Essay for Rice's 'what personal perspective would you contribute': The smooth black ink seeped from my brush into the velvety rice paper, as if I was pouring energy into my painting, giving it the ingredients to come to life. Concentrate and breathe. With Chinese brush painting, there are no second chances. Before the hairs of the brush even came into contact with the surface, my mind already envisioned the stroke, giving my motions fluid confidence and resolution upon application...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
500 Words
When I was still a little girl, I had many questions about the world around me to which my parents were often unable to provide satisfying explanations. “Daddy, why is the sky blue? Why does ice float? Why does chopping onions make Mommy cry?” With the knowledge I gained from the many science courses I took in high school, now I am finally able to answer some of the simple queries I asked as a child. But for each puzzle...
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Supplemental Essay: Diversity statement
199 Words
As a member of a minority in STEM-fields, I would like to be another voice for females who aspire to become great scientists and mathematicians. In the current Caltech community, the U.S., and the world, females are underrepresented in STEM-related careers and education programs. Not only does this gender gap leave a great source of talent and intelligence untapped, it also decreases many women’s opportunities at higher-paying and competitive occupations. I hope I can take a tiny step...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
227 Words
What three experiences or activities have helped you explore your desire to study and possibly pursue a career in STEM? (200 words max) Before taking calculus, I had always found math rather technical and abstract. However my professor at TAMS changed my opinion. He connected math to art, to his unique passion for wood-turning and challenged my class to find the dimensions of his creations using calculus. His lectures showed me the beauty in derivatives, functions, integrals etc. and inspired me...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
261 Words
Caltech students have long been known for their quirky sense of humor, whether it be through planning creative pranks, building elaborate party sets, or even the year-long preparation that goes into our annual Ditch Day. Please describe an unusual way in which you have fun. (200 word max) The light glints on my glasses as I slowly swirl the chemicals together. A nauseous green reaction stains my gloves before rising towards the top of the graduated-cylinder. In a split second, foam...
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Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school
271 Words
Members of the Caltech community live, learn, and work within an Honor System with one simple guideline; 'No member shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community.' While seemingly simple, questions of ethics, honesty and integrity are sometimes puzzling. Share a difficult situation that has challenged you. What was your response, and how did you arrive at a solution? (200 word max) The week of my doom had arrived. Mentally, I prepared to conquer six university...
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Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay
681 Words
Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are exciting to you. Why will

Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to pursue your interests?

(Please limit your response to 650 words.)
For me, chemistry has been an intellectual bridge to other beloved topics since I first learned that my entire being was comprised of billions and trillions of atoms bonded together. From a Bill Nye the Science Guy episode in middle school, I came to understand that not just me, but almost every living organism on earth was created from a fundamental elemental recipe of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur plus a few other trace ingredients. I was fascinated...
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School Specific Advice

How to increase chances at my school
106 Words
I think Columbia University (School of Engineering and Applied Science at least) definitely appreciates well rounded students who read a looottt. I'd probably say that reading a few classics of world literature...
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More Essays

These essays haven't been tagged by school. Click school logos above to see tagged essays.

Personal Statement
626 Words
Transition to adulthood
Parker Road Station. This was the last stop on my way back from work. My first day of work, in fact. How did I feel? Well, a little overwhelmed, pretty accomplished too, but mostly proud of myself for making it through the day. Over the summer, I found a position as a research intern at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. For me it was a valuable opportunity to leave the nest and test my wings in a more...
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Supplemental Essay Other
97 Words
Of all the schools I applied to, I probably spent the least time on Columbia and its essay/questions. While I churned my brain to come up with essays for other schools, I noticed that Columbia's essays were easy and natural to answer. I barely had to edit but apparently it worked because I got accepted RD as a likely admit and also as a Davis Scholar. This just goes to show that sometimes its more about "the best fit"...
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General Admissions Advice

How to increase chances at my school
106 Words
I think Columbia University (School of Engineering and Applied Science at least) definitely appreciates well rounded students who read a looottt. I'd probably say that reading a few classics of world literature...
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What might make for a good “Why Us” essay topic at my school
47 Words
Regardless of what or how many schools you applied to or your actual level...
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My advice about getting recommenders
93 Words
The best option is to find a teacher who loves you, AND whose class you are doing really well in. When you ask them for a rec, provide...
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Whether I used a private admissions counselor, and advice I received
70 Words
My school had a college advisor for who was really helpful about sending in transcripts, and secondary school reports etc. She...
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List of schools I interviewed with and my interview experience
50 Words
Interviews are really arbitrary...that's really all I have to say. Don't put too much...
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Recommended summer activities during high school and college
40 Words
Definitely don't be idle. Get a job/internship, volunteer or find research...
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High School Performance

GPA
4.00
(no specification of weighting)
Rank
Top 5%
 
High School TypePublic
College Classes In High School
Academic Performance in High School Steady
Explanation of Low Grades

Test Scores

Highest SAT
1590
on 1600 scale
Highest SAT
2370
 
SAT Score Details
 
Original SAT Score2370
Other SAT Scores
SAT Prep
PSAT Scores

AP / IB Classes and Scores

Details3 classes and scores

Sports

Extracurriculars

ActivitiesNonprofit, NGO or Charitable Organization, Tutoring/Mentoring, National Honor Society, Local Orchestra / Symphony / Band, Student Council / Government
Elaborate on Extracurriculars or Work

Experience & Awards

How Spent Summers
Volunteer Experiences
Awards Received
Application Additional Materials

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