Be honest please! :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston University
1

<p>I may apply RD, I am just wondering what you think my chances of acceptance are:</p>

<p>Year: Applying to become part of the freshman class of 2015</p>

<p>State: MA</p>

<p>Race: African-American</p>

<p>School Type: Public (basically all-white suburban. I am one of the only African-Americans at my school)</p>

<p>GPA weighted: 3.66 (117 students out of 360 in my grade have GPA’s over a 4.0. There is major grade inflation at my school, and I feel like teachers just hand out A’s to undeserving students. Sometimes, I have felt academically descriminated by my peers and teachers because of my race)</p>

<p>GPA unweighted: 3.08 (I had all A’s and B’s my freshman and sophmore years, however due to extenuating circumstances last year, my GPA dropped significantly)</p>

<p>SAT: 1720 altogether. However, I am retaking the SAT in October to acheive an near-perfect score</p>

<p>Courses:</p>

<p>Freshman Year: Honors Freshman English, Honors Orchestra, Honors US History 2, Honors Conceptual Physics, CP (stands for college preparatory) Algebra 1, CP Spanish 2, Physical Education CP, Computers CP</p>

<p>Sophmore Year: CP Literary Studies, CP Spanish 3, CP Geometry, Honors Biology, Honors Orchestra, Health CP, CP US History 2, Physical Education CP</p>

<p>Junior Year: Honors American Literature, Honors British Literature, Honors Chemistry, AP World History, Honors Orchestra, CP Spanish 4, Honors Economics, Honors Journalism</p>

<p>Senior Year: Honors Physics, Honors Orchestra, Honors Russian Literature, Senior Study, Honors Sociology, Honors Spanish 5 for the 21st Century, CP Pre-Calculus (trying to switch into Honors Calculus)</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars:</p>

<p>Violinist in the orchestra since 3rd grade and counting. In high school I have been part of the string orchestra, full orchestra, and the pit orchestra which is for the spring musicals</p>

<p>Copy editor for school newspaper: 10th grade</p>

<p>Contributing writer for the school newspaper (ever article I have submitted has been published last year): 11th grade and 12th grade</p>

<p>President/Creator of my high school STAND (A student anti-genocide coalition) chapter: 11th and 12th grade (I am EXTREMELY involved with this. I have had my chapter contact the White-House to campaign for Darfur, and I am in collaboration with many other STAND chapters throughout the state. I may apply for a National position soon with STAND)</p>

<p>Member of Tri-M music honor society: 11th grade</p>

<p>Volunteer work:</p>

<p>Volunteer at after-school program at an elementary school in my town: 11th grade (16 hours approximately)</p>

<p>Registration Coordinator for First Book: 11th grade, and 12th grade</p>

<p>First Book is a non-profit based in Washington D.C. that gives programs that serve low-income children such as Title 1 schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, ect, access to free or reduced-priced books. So far, I have single-handedly helped 25 schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and YMCA programs throughout the country gain access to free or reduced priced books. I especially enjoyed helping schools and programs in inner-city Boston, because I knew I was helping to increase literacy throughout my community. Last year, I had won the First Book Nationwide Registration Coordinator challange, which was for Registration coordinators to help the most programs in need gain access to free books. During November 2009, I had helped 16 programs nationwide recieve free or reduced-priced books. As a result, I had won a $250 Border’s Gift Card to give to a program or school of my choice that I had helped. I had chosen a Boys and Girls Club in inner-city Boston to recieve the gift card aroung the holidays. As a result of my efforts, the director of that particular Boys and Girls Club was able to achieve her dream of starting a book club with the kids. I am not entirely sure how many hours I have volunteered for First Book. It has definitely been over 200 hours, however, I love volunteering for First Book so much, that I have stopped counting the hours long ago. I really do not care about how many hours I have volunteered, just as long as I have made a difference in people’s lives. Volunteering for First Book has definitely inspired me to become a journalist, because the literacy rate and graduation rates for some areas of this country are simply shocking and I have not seen any major change so far. I believe that there still is segregation the still exists today (which is a major cause of the broken Public School Systems of America), however not literally enforced, it is figurative. i.e. Wealthy white suburbs, lower-income ethnic inner-cities. I have seen both sides of the spectrum, since my father and the rest of his entire family have grown up in inner city Boston, and have been through the awful public schools there. My father had attended an all black segregated school until he was 12 years old, and my family has exerienced an intense amount of racism throughout their lives. Many people think that racism does not exist today, however I want to tell stories as a journalist that will question society, and open people’s eyes to the certain topics most do not want to hear about. I want my stories to convey a sense of “This is what is happening now. If we as a society do not pressure our lawmakers to make significant changes, then what will society be like 20, maybe 30 years from now?”</p>

<p>First Generation College Student: I am not entirely sure about this, because my mother graduated college, however my father did not graduate. So, does this mean that I am a first generation college student or half?</p>

<p>Please let me know what you think my chances of admission are. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I think the only thing that could set you back is your GPA, and not even by that much at all. I’d also get your SAT scores up to around 1850, and I’d say you’ve got a good shot!</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately, you would not be able to say that you are a first generation college student. </p>

<p>Your extracurriculars look good, maybe even stellar, but the grades aren’t there. With an impressive SAT score, it may be easier to get in. Try taking the ACTs as well, if you can, as some people (myself included) found them to be much easier. Try as hard as you can first semester so that your first semester grades will shine through past that 3.08 UW.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for all the input. Believe me, I KNOW how low my GPA and SAT are compared to most applicants. I am sure however, that I will get an extremely better score in October for the SAT, because the last time, I did not even finnish the test, and I got barely any sleep on the test day. I really think I stressed out WAY to much the night before and on test day. I did prepare for the SAT, but being stressed too much definitely thew me off, so I’ve learned from my mistakes. Regarding my GPA, my guidance counselor and my teachers who recommend me are going to explain my circumstances further that effected my GPA. If I get a close to perfect score on the SAT, what do you think my chances are for ED?</p>

<p>-Also, my parents think that I should improve my grades dramatically this year obviously. I cannot get anything less than a 4.0 this year. They think that I should wait until after I graduate high school to apply to college, and that I should apply over the summer or next fall for college, to show colleges the improvement I’ve made. Do you think this is a good idea?</p>

5

<p>No, that is not a good idea. Utilize all the resources you have in high school to have a good selection of colleges and apply during your senior year. If you need time off, get accepted, and then defer for a year, but don’t wait to apply. You are not likely to go from your current SAT to a “near perfect” score, so only work on what you have in front of you. You have stellar activities, you GPA and SATs are low relative to the average candidate at BU, but your enthusiasm and energy come through in your writing. Get the best grades you can, rest up for future SATs and ACTs, and continue to do the things you love so your passion comes out. There are many great school out there that will love you.</p>

6

<p>It may be difficult to dramatically improve your GPA in one semester, even with a 4.0, so your best bet is the SATs. I think anything above a 2000 would offset your GPA maybe a little bit, but it’s tough to say, as I’m not an admissions officer. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but I think it would have to be above the average of a normal BU accepted applicant.</p>