At this rate what are my chances of getting into Fordham University?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

I’m currently a second semester sophomore in high school, my school has three levels of classes level 2 (basic) level 1 (more rigorous course) and honors. Freshman year i took mostly level 1 and honors courses. My GPA for that year was a 3.57 I had A’s and B’s and I got one C+ in algebra 1 level 1. Last semester my grades and classes were as follows:
Health (nonleveled) - 87
College Credit Chemistry - 79 (I might retake this class as the teacher that I had was absolutely horrible)
Sophomore English Level 1 - 88
Western Civilzation Level 1 - 86

I know that all of these B’s are going to really hurt my GPA

My current classes and grades are

College Preparatory Biology with honors - 100
Computer applications (non leveled) - 98
Algebra 2 Level 1 - 89
Honors Civics - 90

My classes for next year are, Classical American Literature (College Credit), Trigonometry Level 1, U.S. History Level 1, AP comparative government, criminology (non-leveled), Current topics in health (non-leveled), essay writing (non-leveled), and Spanish 3 (non-leveled)

For extracurricular I do field hockey and lacrosse, I am the sophomore class treasurer, and I am also a member of my school’s future business leaders of america chapter. I take Spanish courses through an online charter school because they did not fit into my schedule. I also qualify for the New Hampshire scholars program.
I want to major in Political Science and I’d really like to get into schools like NYU, BC, BU or Fordham. I know that Fordham is big on leadership and I do have a lot of leadership experience, my school also requires community service.

2

To formally answer your question - its rather impossible to chance you at this time. Just strive for straight A’s and no more than a few B’s. Try your best to take as many advanced level classes as you can, and start practicing for the ACT or SAT this summer (aim for atleast a 2000 sat and/or a 30 act…it won’t only help with fordham admissions, but other colleges as well). You have quite a while until you start applying to college, so just keep your options open. My sophomore year college list was DRASTICALLY different than the colleges I ended up applying to this year. Good luck!

3

Yep. Chill. Relax. Breathe.

Its very true that grades and SAT scores are the lion’s share of what constitutes an acceptance, deferral or rejection. Its a numbers game. A matrix. It is what it is. Its not personal, its just business.

They do consider essays, and EC’s, and recommendations. They also consider the strength of your curriculum, your school reputation, and so forth. Diversity matters.

However, its YOUR second semester sophomore year. Don’t obsess. Dont worry about a particular school or list of schools. Too soon.

PSAT may give you some indication of your “likely” SAT score. So work hard, but enjoy school…being relaxed aids in memory, btw…being stressed causes some people to have memory recall problems. Breathe!

Do the work, but get good sleep, eat right, exercize, and be a typical sophomore in high school. You are changing faster than you can possibly imagine…physically and emotionally and intellectually and socially. Its a roller coaster of life. So enjoy the ride, celebrate life, and stay focused on what is REALLY important.

Yes, the top students get into the top schools. Much of that is genetic. Much of that is social opportunity/economics (sadly), though exceptions do occur. Im not a fatalist, nor going to generalize. But really saying this will all unfold before your eyes…really starting next year. So yes, work hard…and do your very best…and have dreams and follow your heart…but be NORMAL. (Not saying you arent normal…just a word of caution not to get too worked up as of yet about being admitted to Fordham or any school. Its too early. ) Now is the time to explore ideas and THINK about college…and what you want in a college experience, socially, academically, and maybe some idea on what you want to be as an adult…after college. But allow yourself the privilege of changing your mind,. experimenting with ideas, and be open to epiphanies and emotions and sometimes disappointment…because that is life.

You may well have the grades and SAT’s to get into Fordham senior year. But between now and then a lot happens.

What to do now? This summer take a strong SAT prep course. And that will give you an idea of what 20 schools to start focusing on…eventually getting that list down to 10-12 schools for applications by senior year.

Meanwhile, have fun, work hard, be balanced. God bless.

4

Take the advice of @Sovereigndebt and @Fazeeeeeeel, enjoy this time. It’s great that you are already considering schools and taking your grades into consideration. Like Sovereign says, a lot can happen between now and senior year. Have you taken the PSAT? That pretty much gives you an indication of how you might do on the SAT. For my daughter, it pretty much was on the money. Consider taking the ACT also. Look at other schools also regarding Political Science. Have you looked into Villanova?? My daughter’s best friend opted to go there for that. Both schools are good in that field, but visit each and get an idea of the feel and vibe. And she was accepted to both schools but decided on Villanova because she just loved the feel of it. And that’s the key. Make sure to visit the schools that you listed above. NYU doesn’t really have a “campus”. My daughter’s BF goes there, and it will take him about 15 minutes (or more) to get to classes. BU is huge also, another of my daughter’s friends go there and she visited him last year and even though she liked it, she didn’t like the “feel” of it.

Look at the costs also. Fordham is $65K+; NYU $75K+. NYU is known for their stingey financial aid. Fordham does not meet full need (believe me, I know!).

For fun, and if you have an idea of your family’s finances, check out the calculators on the schools websites to give you an idea of what it might cost. Do virtual tours. This summer, visit campus’s and make a family trip out of it. Come to NY and visit NYU, Fordham, and other schools (Pace, St. John’s, and any SUNY/CUNY). Make a trip to Boston and visit BU and BC and check out Northeastern and other schools. Make it fun.

Good luck!