How I Got Into Columbia University! (Stats, ECs, & Advice)

Summary

Leslie Galindo Mendoza, a first-generation college student from a low-income Mexican-American family in a small Texas community, describes her path to Columbia University and the lessons she learned during the application process.

Academic and Admissions Background

• Leslie says she graduated at the top of a class of roughly 265 students, with a weighted GPA of 4.7.
• She reports an SAT score of 1210 and explains that personal and health circumstances made testing difficult. Most of the universities she applied to did not require scores; UT Austin did.
• She was admitted to Columbia, UC Berkeley, UT Austin, Barnard, and Fordham, and was waitlisted at NYU. She says she was also selected for Columbia’s CUSP scholarship program.
• Leslie emphasizes that her experience is an individual case, not a formula. Her background and available opportunities shaped how her application should be understood.

Main Advice for Applicants

• Show what you did with the opportunities you had. Leslie believes colleges consider applicants in context, including where they come from, what resources they had, and how they used them. Applicants do not necessarily need national awards or exceptional opportunities to make a strong case.
• Look for pre-college programs when they’re accessible. Leslie participated in several programs, including UT Austin’s film-production summer camp, the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation’s Youth Leadership Institute at Loyola Marymount University, USC’s Bovard program, and Barnard Bound.
  • These programs may help applicants explore interests, gain experience, or demonstrate interest in a school.
  • They do not guarantee admission: Leslie was rejected by USC despite participating in its program.
  • If opportunities are not available nearby, she encourages students to look for options elsewhere.
• Build an artistic portfolio early. The UT Austin film camp helped Leslie make her first official film and gave her work to show universities. She regrets not starting her portfolio sooner and advises aspiring artists to create material that demonstrates their work, even if it is not directly tied to their intended major.
• Pursue interests that genuinely matter to you. Leslie had long been interested in film and entertainment but often told people she planned to study architecture. She encourages students to take their own interests seriously rather than choosing a path only because it seems more conventional or expected.
• Keep going when plans change. Leslie nearly abandoned her Columbia application on the January 1 deadline, but a friend encouraged her to finish. After the deadline was extended, she submitted it and later received a likely letter. Her story illustrates that applications and life plans may take unexpected turns.
• Make the most of opportunities beyond the classroom. She notes that pursuing a career, such as one in film, may require internships and other experiences outside a degree program.
• Balance applications with life. Leslie urges students to care about grades, college applications, and scholarships while also having fun and maintaining perspective. High school and college can be demanding, but life is about more than academics.

Overall Message

Leslie’s central lesson is to make the best use of the resources and opportunities available to you. That approach can strengthen an application and help you find success, even if the outcome differs from what you originally imagined. She also stresses that a student’s worth is not defined by attending a particular “dream” university.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Leslie Galindo Mendoza — The sole featured speaker, sharing her experience as a Columbia student.
• Atlas Education — Referenced by Leslie in the video’s closing promotion for a free admissions consultation.