Hi! I am a first-generation and I am applying ED 2 to Boston University. I have a 4.3 GPA and have taken every AP class that my school has to over and a 1290 on the SAT. Does being a first-generation applicant help with BU?
@jenhas1 Yes, it is considered (CDS) and may help. Is it as helpful as being a legacy applicant or a URM? Probably not. 4.3 GPA is really good, but what’s your UW GPA?
1290 on the SAT is way below their typical range, as their 25th percentile is a 1420.
But again, it’s a holistic review. You’re not gonna get in just because you’re a first gen. How are your recs? How are your extracurriculars? How are your essays? BU has about an 18% acceptance rate and there a lot of factors they consider for students they admit. Good luck!
-UW GPA: 3.9
-Great Letters of Rec: one from my English teacher I had two years in a row, another from my previous math teacher, and one from a woman who works at the facility that I created a school club for to collect donations
-Extracurriculars: I am Key Club President this year and I was a class officer for the club since sophomore year, FBLA and I placed six at the state level for graphic design, member of mini-THON, I volunteer at a grief center for children whose parents have passed and I volunteer at the Children’s Hospital and founded a club in my high school that aims at raising grief awareness and makes various donations
-Jobs: I used to be a swim instructor for children and now I am a barista
-My common essay was very good (I talked about how childhood trauma inspired me to be a doctor) and my BU essay I thought was good as well
@jenhas1 UW GPA is great and above their median and your extracurriculars seem really solid (the grief counselling is impressive and unique which will make them like you more). I think you have a decent chance but I do think your SAT score will play a significant role in their decision. My advice? Check out your school’s Naviance because no matter what other people will say, nearly all colleges are more likely to take some kids from one school over the other. Have kids from your school gotten in with your scores before? How many kids do they take a year? How many got in ED1 this year?
And above all that it seems BU ED2 (as is their RD obviously) is very competitive (I heard numbers floating in 18-19% this year) so you never know. Keep showing interest in BU (have you visited yet?) and also make sure you can afford it! If you’re applying for FA then run your NPC and check to make sure paying for BU won’t be a burden.
Good luck!
thank you!!