Busy Worker Bee Looking To See Chances.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So I've been an idle watcher on College Confidential for nearly a year now, and I've decided it's high time I move in on all the wonderfully intelligent people on here. Time to try to get them to check out my chances!</p>

<p>Here're the stats ::</p>

<p>-Asian-American, Female, 16 from Maryland
-I'm in a special Science and Technology program from my high school (requires an entrance exam, strict GPA requirements, required classes, etc.)
-Have been in all Honors classes and have taken 8 AP Classes until this point
-Current High School Senior</p>

<p>-GPA: 3.95W/3.78UW
-Class Rank: 17th Percentile (not happy about this....)
-SAT: 2010 (CR:720/M:640/W:650) [retaking in Oct. 2010]
-SATII : Physics:680 / Biology-M:720 / Chemistry:720
-AP Exam Scores : Bio-4 / Chem-4 / PhysicsB-4 / World History-5
-Current APs: AP Physics C, AP Literature, AP Japanese</p>

<p>-Other Mentionable Courses - US History 9 H, AP Government, English Honors 9/10/11, Biology S/T (equivalent to honors), Chem S/T (again, equivalent), Genetics, Bio-Organic Chemistry, Research Practicum Course</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Japanese National Honor Society, National Honor Society, 2011 Class Vice-President (3 years in a row), 2 Dance Teams, I've learned dance for 12 years, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), I've been an exchange student twice (both times to Japan) and I've hosted an exchange student 3 times.</p>

<p>Safety Schools: University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
Match Schools: University of Maryland College Park (UMCP), Barnard College, George Washington University (GWU)
Reach Schools: New York University (NYU), Columbia University</p>

<p>Considered Majors: Biology/Biochem/Neurophysiology
Considered Minors: International Relations or Japanese (not too sure about that haha)</p>

<p>To explain, my majors are in science and medical-related fields but I also want to explore some humanities while I'm at it. My two top schools I'm putting the full force of my being into applying are UMCP and NYU.</p>

<p>My absolute dream school is New York University. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if my stats are good enough/my class rank is abysmal, tbh. Also, it is 50K/yr. I doubt I'll get much need-based aid, my mother is a doctor (100k/yr at least). I'm not sure how much that's worth because UMCP seems to be a good school and it's right around my block. With that being said, it again, is my dream school and it's good for both my major and my minor that I am considering at this moment.</p>

<p>So basically:
[1] Can I get in?
[2] Can I get Financial Aid/Scholariships?
[3] If anything, what should I work on for my SAT-retake?</p>

<p>Wow, that was a lung-ful!
Thank you in advance for your responses,
Sue!</p>

2

<p>I’ll chance you for NYU + Columbia. </p>

<p>Columbia will be a reach. The UW GPA for Columbia is closer to a 3.95 and the SAT is 2100+. That being said, an applicant isn’t just their numbers and there are plenty of students who do manage to get in with lower than average test scores because of either outstanding achievements, essay, talent, etc. </p>

<p>NYU- Match/Slight Reach. NYU is an average SAT of about 1950-1980 depending on your source. However, for either pre-med/science/Stern majors, your SAT has to be on the higher end of the spectrum- 2100+. Because you’re kind of at the average marker and taking into account that you want to apply for a science, it will really depend on your essay, which is very important for NYU. Scholarships are typically reserved for either academically/artistically elite or low-income. As you probably already know, NYU doesn’t give out great FinAid so if you do get in, expect to pay $51,000+ per year. </p>

<p>I would suggest retaking the SAT in October, then taking the ACT on either the November or October date, and then, if your SAT score still hasn’t improved to where you want it, you can take it again in November. Also, consider retaking your SAT II’s in November. I say this because NYU has a score choice where you can submit 3 SATII in 3 different subjects to replace the SAT. (this means one in history, english, and math/science. if you have the time, consider self study for english language and US History, which should be the easiest to self study for. )</p>

3

<p>NYU is a match, though I wouldn’t count on receiving financial aid. It’s notorious for producing students with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.</p>

<p>Your SAT is on the low end for Columbia. If you’re dead-set on attending there, you should apply ED.</p>