Am I wasting my $65, or do I have at least a shot?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

<p>Georgetown is my top choice school. It has all the academics I want, and I am in love with DC. I want to apply EA.</p>

<p>My stats:
-Graduated last spring from HS (one year early) and I am now taking a year off. There was an issue with my counselor at the time (long story) and none of my paperwork got sent off correctly when applying to colleges last year (not Georgetown, I didnt apply), so I decided to take a year off and try again (with a different counselor, the other counselor no longer works). </p>

<p>-I leave at the beginning of October and I will be spending 11 weeks in China. I am doing a language course and a journalism internship in Beijing, and volunteering at the Panda Reserve and Research Facility in Chengdu. (I am interested in Asian studies and journalism for undergrad)</p>

<p>-GPA is roughly a 3.9 u/w
- most difficult courseload my school offers.
- School doesnt rank, but counselor estimated me in the top 5% of my class.</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:
National Honors Convocation/
Mock Trial
Debate
Internationally ranked (15th) junior (equestrian- show jumping)
~350 hours volunteer work</p>

<p>Work experience:
I worked for a horse show sports photographer doing sales/retail for one summer (5 days a week 8 hours a day).
Barn manager/rider for a sales/rehab barn, 7 days a week, 6-16 hours a day (depending on the time of year).</p>

<p>Now the killer, my SAT scores. I have only taken them once so far (again, issue with the counselor, I wont go into it now), I wont be able to take them again this fall, I am signed up for the SAT IIs Jan/Feb, but I am thinking about trying to take the ACT as well. </p>

<p>CR: 700
W: 650
.
..
...
..
.
M: 480</p>

<p>Yeah, so my math score is terrible. Since I am not planning on a math-related major, do you think there is any way this might be overlooked? My grades in math have been good, I have some testing difficulties, and I bombed the math portion. </p>

<p>I know Georgetown is a reach for me, but is there any chance for me?</p>

2

<p>Sorry for being so forthright but...you're wasting that $65. Your other scores aren't really in Georgetown's range, let alone that ghastly math score.</p>

3

<p>Well...a 3.9 u/w with the most difficult course load available is a good stat. You must have taken math in order to graduate - what grades did you receive in those classes? If they are high scores then you have no reason to have gotten such a low score in math. That will be a red flag. </p>

<p>If GU is your top choice then it wouldn't be a waste of 65 dollars. If you never apply that would be a waste of your time because you will inevitably regret it and ruminate on your decision over and over again. Just apply. But try to raise that math score and do something exceptional in China. </p>

<p>Do everything you can and take advantage of ALL opportunities that are offered to you. Taking advantage of resources is a big deal to most universities. If you won't take advantage of what you can now what is the point of going to a stellar school where chances are likely you won't take advantage of all it has to offer? </p>

<p>Just remember to emphasize why GU would be a good fit for you. Why GU specifically? There are plenty of other good schools in the DC area - what can ONLY GU offer you? </p>

<p>Try to work on your leadership skills too.</p>

4

<p>unfortunately, your math score will knock you out of Tier I and Teir II schools, unless their application rates are very low. many schools, Georgetown included, use all these stats as SCREENS, as they have far more applicants than they need, hence they WILL consider your math score, regardless of your areas of interest.
YES, take the ACT. and as far as applying anyway, it depends on your personality...if you'll get discouraged by their rejection, then don't. if you want to do it for the experience, then go for it.</p>

5

<p>Happycollegemom, just curious, but do you have a life??? Because all you seem to do is talk about ur daughter, discourage student, and state rude comments to people. YOUR A MOTHER FOR GOD SAKE, GET A LIFE!</p>

6

<p>Alright guys, thanks for the frankness. I think I will look at George Mason University instead. It looks like I can take a few classes at Gtown through them. It is a lot cheaper anyway, since I would be in state.</p>

<p>Glad I asked, I dont like rejection, so good to know ahead of time.</p>

7

<p>Wyldfae, </p>

<p>You don't like rejection? Are you serious?! You're bound to be rejected by at least one college - it's the whole safeties, matches, reaches thing. A reach is a reach but don't let less than stellar chances deter you. Bring up your math score and give it a shot. What else will you do with the 65 dollars other than go out to a really nice dinner and a movie? </p>

<p>George Mason is a good school - I have a lot of friends that go there but don't limit yourself to just one option. There are lots of other good schools that are actually IN DC. American and George Washington are just two of them and both offer pretty generous financial aid packages (at least in my case). </p>

<p>GU might reject you - it's a possibility of course but isn't one paltry rejection from a school you sound really interested in better than a lifetime of "What if?"</p>

8

<p>YTA4~ another parent basher. that's a shame, because parents have lots to share.what's being a mother got to do with it? wyldfae deserves the respect of a clear response, as others on this thread did. with my professional background and PARENTAL college experience, i try to give back to others. you certainly did no good for wyldfae, which was the purpose of this thread.</p>

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<p>Whatever, trying to make excuses and protect urself. Okay, fine, I'm not saying that you as a parent wont help...but I have heard lots of rude STUPID comments by u and that's all u seem to do...I mean, I don't think ur that experienced...WHAT EXPERIENCE DO U HAVE??? I bet I have more experience than u! Where does ur daughter go? Just act NORMAL...b/c I have heard by other ppl that HAPPYCOLLEGEMOM always talks "crap." U think u know everything, but sorry; u really don't!!! I'm sorry</p>

10

<p>wylfae, U SHOULD DEFINITELY APPLY...I have lots of friends who got in GU with lower stats....TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't listen to anyone!!! U NEVER KNOW...GEORGETOWN is a 50/50 school...u can either really make it or really break it...Did u watch their admissions evaluation on ABC's 20/20??? Apply, I don't want to ever have to say this again to u.</p>

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<p>Thanks for everyone's responses. I am not sure that I will apply, there are other options that I am more likely to get into, and that are just as suitable for me.</p>

<p>SmileDarling, I looked up George Washington, and I really like what I read. Thanks for the tip. I was already checking out American as well.</p>

<p>happycollegemom- I replied to your message. :)</p>

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<p>YTA4 - did you get into GT? just curious. I was reading your threads and didn't see anything about your acceptance.</p>

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<p>wyldfae,</p>

<p>I think that if you want to assess your options honestly, you need to consider your coursework very carefully. I guess I'm wondering if you shortchanged yourself a bit by graduating a year early and I'm wondering if that SAT math grade reflects that. In other words, if you've take very little math (say 2-3 years), you would not be considered in the hardest courses your school offers and that would hurt you too. </p>

<p>Have you looked into UVA? I wonder if you would have a better shot since you're instate. It's a lot cheaper than AU/ GW or Georgetown and very prestigious. </p>

<p>That said, if you're interested in journalism for undergrad, I would look into U-Md, College Park and AU. U-Md has an accredited journalism school, is outside DC and I know they have stables and horses on campus.</p>

14

<p>Connie, I got rejected to G-Town...SUCKS!!! But, I was assured that if I applied again, I would be in the "priority poole." Many of my friends go there and three of them GOT REJECTED the first time and second time they got IN! So...Well see...At first if you try and you dont succeed, TRY AGain..RIGHT?</p>

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<p>Wyldfae, I'll just say this with all the rough edges: you need to bring up that math score. I'm sure if the admissions committee could, they'd overlook the M score and focus on the positive aspects of your application. You are, after all, a very good candidate in every other area... except standardized testing. Unfortunately, the admissions committee doesn't have that sort of discretion, especially given the thousands of people who apply who have pulled off 1300+ (M+V) scores. </p>

<p>I would consider GW, GMU, AU, UVA, and maybe even W&M, if you're in-state. </p>

<p>And for the record, I know several people who work in admissions, and I've never heard of the "priority pool".</p>

16

<p>I know people who got into GU with lower SAT scores than OP, who's combined is 1830, though the Math one does stick out like a sore thumb. I'd say DEFINITELY apply....and hope for the best!</p>

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<p>so...Are u calling me a liar???? Why would I lie about such thing?</p>

18

<p>Geez, cool down on the defensive aggression. No one's calling you a liar.</p>

<p>I agree w/ tlaktan; I've never heard of a "priority pool." If anything, I do believe there are special considerations for those who show constant and demonstrated interest in the university, or those with strong alumni/legacy connections, but never a "special" pool/section only for applications who have been rejected before. In any case, good luck OP and YTA4.</p>

19

<p>Don't listen to theys guys they dont even know what their talking about, apply, the rest of your stats are VERY good, theres no way that the average gpa is 3.9 uw at Georgetown, your definatly gonna be good for they're stats in that respect, your math SAT is really bad, but if you get an interview to explain that I bet it will help you alot, apply.</p>

<p>Think about it this way, if your math SAT was just about equal with the other ones, no one on here would even consider telling you not to apply, you would have a real shot of getting in, the admissions office is not going to let one small thing kill your shot</p>