Another "Chance me" Post :)

<p>I lived in France from age 7-16, so my 9th and 10th year grades don’t have Honors or APs since those don’t exist in France. Therefore my GPA isn’t high when it is cumulative (2.9) but if you look at my Junior year of HS it is 4.1. And my senior grades are looking the same so far.</p>

<p>I took 2 AP exams last year: Psychology and French, and got 5 on both.
I am taking AP European History this year, and will be taking the AP Test for it, and other than that i’m taking ALL Honors classes.</p>

<p>SAT:
Critical Reading: 660
Writing: 720
Math: 520</p>

<p>Subject test:
Literature: 640
French Language: 800</p>

<p>I’m the photographer and web designer of my school newspaper, I babysit and do french tutoring, I do community work for the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity, but have only done so since about one/two months. I play the piano and do portrait photography. I’ve been in clubs such as FBLA and the French Club and have also been a lead actress in drama class.</p>

<p>My essay has info about my living in France, the culture and traveling experiences I had (I traveled throughout Europe a lot), and in it I tried to show how motivated and dedicated I am to my education, even though my 9th and 10th year grades are pretty low, I’ve improved so much and have practically all A’s and B’s in my classes now since Junior year.</p>

<p>I want to major either in French or Psychology.</p>

<p>Anyone have an opinion on my chances?</p>

<p>No one? I’m really curious about any chance I might have…</p>

<p>Dear Nina2332 : Since you have come back to the board seeking advice and a review of your profile, please allow me to offer some thoughts. Your 520 Math Score on the SAT I is nearly a rejection on its own merit given that this is 100 points below the 25th percentile of the accepted class. A cumulative GPA of 2.9 (B-/B) is substantially below the Boston College acceptance pool where 96% of accepted applicants come from the Top 25% of their High School classes. At 2.9, you seem outside of those numbers on the whole. So, we start with an SAT I section score below the minimum and a GPA which would likely be part of the 4% acceptance rate usually reserved for specific skills and athletes.</p>

<p>Your sports engagement is non-existant. Leadership roles are not called out - aside from your lead photographer position.</p>

<p>From a school spirit perspective, you will need to lean heavily on your newspaper work which dovetails well with the literature, reading, and writing exams - clearly illustrating a personal strength.</p>

<p>In classroom academics, you are showing three AP Exams - one (Psychology) as an “AP Lite” and two hard core courses in French and AP European History. Your French score is great although your ability to execute on the AP Level might be called into question given your decade’s experience in France. As for top course work not existing in France, certainly International Baccalaureate programs are available throughout Europe. We do not see AP course work for English, Science, or Mathematics.</p>

<p>We do not understand why you would highlight that your grades from France do not easily translate into the GPA scale here in the US - if Boston College cannot figure it out, chances are that your application will then be an auto-toss with another 30,000 applications to consider.</p>

<p>Your essay topic might save many issues here, but it is difficult to see how you have tied your travel experiences into commitment to education. </p>

<p>In closing, your application seems as if it will be seriously challenged during the regular decision round.</p>

<p>I see, so I should basically give up on BC?</p>

<p>Dear Nina2332 : Our advice to candidates is never to “give up”. You need to fill the gaps in your application :</p>

<p>[1] You need a guidance counselor to explain in writing the academic turn-around that you have seen since junior year and what motivated the change.</p>

<p>[2] Your extra-curricular section should tie the newspaper role with your exams to create a cohesive alignment with the liberal arts core at Boston College.</p>

<p>[3] You will need to explain how your Honors Course work was sufficiently rigorous to offset not taking AP courses that might have been offered by your High School.</p>

<p>[4] Your essay will need to carry a huge load in your application.</p>

<p>[5] You need to have an evaluated list of expected and safety schools at the ready. Given that BC will be a stretch school, you need to be sure you have matches ready : schools to consider include Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, and a variety of other peers from that grouping.</p>

<p>Best wishes and good luck with your applications.</p>