a REAL average student

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>Kinda depressed reading all these threads about students with 4.0’s and outstanding SAT scores….but was wondering if you knew how my chances would be at these schools.</p>

<p>3.1 GPA
1100 Old SAT, 1700 New
Been a published sports writer for five media outlets over the past year, and have had over 100 articles published.
Fair share of EC’s, no real awards really</p>

<p>Ithaca College
Syracuse University
University of Scranton
Dickinson College (Uncle is in the hall of fame there and has connections to the admissions office, also have had 5 other relatives go there)</p>

<p>I think Scranton is my only real match, but you guys seem to know a lot.</p>

<p>Anything else you would recommend? </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I write articles for numerous sports sites. Are you looking at a Sports Management major, or a Journalism major? Is there a certain location you want? Student body? Athletics? Cost?</p>

<p>I don't think Syracuse will accept you, it's a reach. I'm not familar with the other schools' admissions</p>

3

<p>Probably communications. I'd like something in the city. Student body, athletics, and cost don't matter.</p>

4

<p>anyone else?</p>

5

<p>I think Ithaca & Scranton are matches.</p>

<p>It's pretty cool you are a published writer, which is to your advantage when applying to Syracuse, but your SAT and GPA are below their average (which is 1150 & 3.6 respectively, and 1250 & 3.8 for the communications school), so I would say it's a reach.</p>

<p>I'm not so familiar with Dickinson. Even with your uncle's connections I think it is a reach. </p>

<p>Have you considered Emerson? It's in Boston, and is a great school for communications, although won't give you a lot of opportunities to explore other majors. Because it's an artsy school, I think they would be very interested in seeing some of the articles you have written, which is to your advantage (Syracuse doesn't want such supplements, for example...). Also try Ohio State, Iowa State, UIllinois-Bloomington and UMissouri-Kansas City. All have great communications schools, and although you might not be admitted to the communications program as a freshmen, I think you'd have a good shot at arts & sciences & then can transfer.</p>

<p>What will dramatically inrease your chances at all these schools (and maybe make Syracuse & Dickinson matches) is to up your SAT score by a lot. If you can get 2000+ you will be in a great spot.</p>

<p>I went from a 590 in math to a 680 myself first to second sitting, you'd be amazed how much familiarity with the test helps. I didn't even do any prep!</p>

6

<p>thanks for you help. ill definitely retake the SAT in September. I would love to go to one of either Syracuse or Ithaca, so the fact that you think Ithaca is a match is great. im thinking about doing ED to increase my chances.</p>

7

<p>UIllinois-Bloomington? Do you mean Indiana U - Bloomington or UIllinois- Urbana-Champaign?</p>

8

<p>Indianu U! Sorry :P.</p>

9

<p>yeah i figured thats what you meant</p>

10

<p>I know you said you got connections to Dickinson, but if you want to be in a city I wouldn't go there. My relatives live down the street from it and Carisle is a pretty small town and not a ton to do in my opinion if that is one reason why you want the city.</p>

11

<p>ek: for the record, you cant retake the SAT in september, october is the first one</p>

12

<p>oh ok, gotcha</p>

13

<p>yeah thats the only thing with Dickinson. but it is a great school though and id be lucky to get in, so i have to at least consider it.</p>

14

<p>hahah i feel you on that!!! i was reading all these threads and going like JESUS!!!!! these kids are smart as crap! hahah your above average! i dont kno much but GOOD LUCK</p>

15

<p>haha thanks, yea its like everyone in the nation with over a 4.0 joined here</p>

16

<p>Heres a more in depth look at "me"</p>

<p>Schools</p>

<p>Ithaca College
Syracuse University
Scranton University
Dickinson College
Delaware University
Villanova University
Connecticut University
American University
West Chester University
Penn State Berks</p>

<p>Profile</p>

<p>School Type: Public
Location: Pennsylvania
Race/Gender: Caucasian/Male
Prospective Major: Political Science or Communications
GPA: 3.10
Class rank: Unknown</p>

<p>Individual GPA</p>

<p>Freshmen: 2.82
Sophomore: 3.0
Junior: 3.51
Senior: TBD</p>

<p>SAT I Scores </p>

<p>SAT I Math: 520
SAT I Critical Reading: 570
SAT I Writing: 610</p>

<p>Extracurricular Info</p>

<p>Senior Columnist
<a href="http://www.totk.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.totk.com&lt;/a>
April 2005 – present
Weekly Column; over 70 articles printed to date</p>

<p>Columnist
<a href="http://www.eaglesupdates.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.eaglesupdates.com&lt;/a>
January 2005 – April 2005 (editor discontinued website after April 2005)</p>

<p>Columnist
<a href="http://www.phillypurge.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.phillypurge.com&lt;/a>
May 2006 – present</p>

<p>Baseball Columnist
Downingtown Ledger
March 2006 – June 2006 (stopped due to end of season)</p>

<p>Columnist
Paw Print (School Newspaper)
Junior year; 2005-2006</p>

<p>J/V Soccer team
Freshmen Year</p>

<p>Travel Soccer team
1997 – 2005</p>

<p>Creative Writing Club
Sophomore year</p>

<p>German club
Freshmen and sophomore year</p>

<p>Peer Mediation
11th grade - present</p>

<p>Secretary of History Club
11th grade - present</p>

<p>Jobs</p>

<p>Babysitting
9th grade – 11th grade</p>

<p>DMS Cleaning Service
April 2006 – present</p>

<p>DR Construction and Carpentry
July 2006 – present</p>

<p>Senior Schedule </p>

<p>Political Science/Sociology
Physics 1
Probability and Statistics
English Ph 1
Contemporary Issues
Public Speaking
International and Regional Foods</p>

<p>Awards
Column, “Modern Pro Sports in America” awarded one of the top five articles of 2005 for <a href="http://www.totk.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.totk.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

17

<p>why not look at a school like Boston University... its communication school is rated very Highly.. also its in Boston.. raise your SAT's... show them that youre unique.. and you may be able to get in.. look at a 1220/1900... set that as your goal... good luck</p>

18

<p>yeah i was lookin at boston....i figured that to be more of a longshot than syracuse though</p>

19

<p>^Syracuse's J-School is WAY more selective.</p>

20

<p>I'd say you're above average, and I'd actually say Syracuse is possible. Even though your GPA and test scores aren't great, your GPA is an upward trend, and you have tons of experience in the field...something they'll value when considering you as an applicant. Besides, you should just apply because it's a great school for communications, and will give you lots of oppurtunities.</p>

<p>I'd also suggest retaking the SAT's. Prepare for it and such, and try to get Math and Verbal scores into the upper 500's/lower 600's. That will increase your chances greatly, and it seems possible to me.</p>