I’m an incoming senior living in PA, and I really want to go to American University for Political Science. I’ve read that AU is becoming increasingly selective, which in turn is making me increasingly anxious. I currently have a 3.89/4.0 unweighted GPA and a 5.60/6.0 weighted. I scored a 1980 on my SAT’s, which is a 1340/1600 if you only count reading and math. I currently have two AP classss under my belt, and I’ll have 4 by time senior year is over. All the rest of my classes are honors. I’m confident in my academics, but I only have about two extracurriculars and virtually no volunteer hours; I feel like this will significantly hurt my chances. Could I still get into American despite my lack of EC’s/Volunteer Hours?
You definitely have a chance. Craft good essays and demonstrate interest in the university in whatever way you can. What are you doing this summer and fall? Are you working? You’ve got time to add to your outside activities. If you can take the SATs one more time, you might nudge your score up. Good luck ~
You’re within the range, but demonstrated interest is huge at AU - get to know your local admissions rep and keep stopping by events they are at (in a non-creepy way of course). If your limited ECs are long-term and you are passionate about them figure out a way to weave them into the story of your essays. ECs are more about quality than quantity.