<p>Gosh I hate "Chance Me" threads. But I continue to contribute to them. My D didnt complete a Your Choice application, she used the Common App. She also applied RD rather late in the process and used the Common App teacher recommendation forms and Guidance Counselor recommendation forms. So maybe you could use those, downloaded for free off the internet, if you dont want to use your own schools forms and presuming the Your Choice application doesnt include specific forms to complete (which seems weird.) I do know that Fordham accepts the Common App and all its forms. </p>
<p>On the merits of your application, while you have not completed very many Honors or AP courses, and your GPA is good but not outstanding, you may well want to have your teachers and guidance counselor explain the rigor of your school curriculum and the grading policies. Some schools are just tough graders, while others are powder puff grade inflation factories (in my area the public schools are MUCH tougher graders and use a 7 point scale and only gives out straight A, B, C, D final marks, with no pluses or minus. The private schools are notorious for grade inflation, give out lots of plus and minus marks and they use a 10 point scale for each grade. ) If Fordham does not know your school, its imperative to give them as much information to evaluate your coursework and your level of scholarship and work ethic. Fordham generally evaluates its students on a holistic level and not just raw scores, from anecdotal reports and their own commentary (some from Peter Farrell, Fordham's Admission Director, right here on CC) I don't know for certain, however. Does that mean they axe anyone below a 3.5 gpa? I highly doubt it. In fact, some kids have been accepted in years past with lower gpa's and SAT's. For that matter, even the Ivies sometimes reach down lower on the ladder for various reasons....sometimes to be downright experimental to see how those kids perform once in college. Its a combination of wanting to know how you will do at Fordham and also an attempt at some sort of objective standard because they have to make decisions somewhere. </p>
<p>Your ACT and SAT scores are great. No EC's? That depends on circumstances. Did you belong to any Church groups you could mention? Do ANY volunteer work at all? Hold a part time job? If you still come up with a goose egg, you need to write an essay on something that you are passionate about (I concur with dad above) that conveys your GENUINE interest in something where you can make a difference in life for others. Don't write a phony essay, as they can smell those a mile away. </p>
<p>If you have any particular marks on your transcript that pulled your overall gpa down lower....for example a C or D in a subject, you may want to explain that, if it was a critical course. But never ever blame the instructor even if its true. (Schools know some teachers are better than others and some are real "bears") But if you are really rock steady and consistent then that isnt a serious problem in my view. You are top 25%, and that is good at a large public school where a lot of kids can manipulate class rank with powder puff classes. </p>
<p>I presume you are applying to Fordham College at Rose Hill (Bronx-Main campus), known as FCRH. Its the largest college in the University system. Its a great school and a lot of fun. I think you will be fine. What Fordham wants is solid kids, well balanced, hard working, strong personal ethics, and evidence you can succeed in a very competitive environment (both in school and in New York). Being from Minnesota helps as well. </p>
<p>I give you a thumbs up. Good luck.</p>