I just finished my junior year I have a 3.3 UW gpa with 3.4 weighted
I will have 8 AP classes by the end of highschool (three so far)
SAT: 2150
Math and reading: 1460
EC: part of french club baking club and was an original member of a financial club. 60+ community service hours. 40+ school service. Part of a leadership community service organization. Science fair participant. Designed a fully functioning and marketable retail product. (What more should I get)
Hooks: black and Hispanic, from Texas (regional diversity?) massive upward trend with gpa ( I know it’s my weak point)
I had a 2.8 freshmen year then a 3.7 sophomore and a 3.7 junior. Although my latest semester I had a 4.0 unweighted. I also attend a very prestigious private school who NYU has admitted quite a few students before
What are my chances?
Will chanve back
Thank you
Can you afford the $60k+ per year (I think it might be up to $72k)?
They are notorious for really bad financial aid.
I will need financial aid for sure. I don’t know my exact financial situation (parents won’t tell for some reason). I would estimate somewhere between 40k-60k. I feel as if it’s unlikely I would get the aid I need, but I’m just debating whether I should apply and put a significant amount of effort on the application.
I might be able to get higher on my SAT. Maybe like 2250, would this help at all?
Cost is going to be your first concern. It doesn’t do you any good to get in and not be able to pay.
If your parents won’t tell you their financial info, have them run the NPC/Net Price Calculator themselves and then tell you affordable or not. It’s crazy risky to guess.
And how is this time sensitive?
It isn’t incredibly time sensitive, but I would like to begin writing all of my college essays and supplementals starting next week. I have a rigorous schedule planned for my senior year, so I would like to take care of some of the hassles early. Thank you!
I realize that it’s very important to first learn whether or not you can afford the school or not before you apply. However, do you think I stand a chance? I would probably apply to CAS but would be open to other schools.
Also is there anything you would reccomend doing? Not just for NYU but for other schools as well. I know I have a low gpa, but are there any other ways to make up for this?
I got into NYU with a 3.2 from a prestigious private high school that has a 55% Ivy + Stanford, Duke rate. You can too if you are just doing CAS. As everyone said though, NYU is not only really bad with financial aid but also they are need-aware admissions. As a result, you have a lower chance if you are applying for financial aid. Just something to keep in mind.
You have a hand to play, and most of the cards are pretty set. The main variable left is your essays, recommendations, what you do this summer and how you select your colleges.
Recommendations: if you haven’t already, in writing give your GC and recommender some specifics about you, including examples of what you did in their class / in the school that make you distinctive; what kind of environment you flourish in, etc. For your GC, why your freshman GPA was so much lower than Soph/Jr years, and what it has taken to get it up.
Re: this summer- besides essays, what are you doing to develop yourself / follow your interests / etc. Are you working a summer job to save for college? minding your siblings b/c your parents work? It doesn’t matter at all what it is- but you should be able to show that you did something with a purpose.
re: college selection, you have asked about NYU in particular: why? what are your criteria for choosing the colleges that you apply to?
I am interested in studying politics or psychology, perhaps both. I am aware that NYU has a great political science program, and their psychology program is decent. I have a few other colleges in mind such as George Washington, American and Boston University. I know NYU is the most renowned of these colleges and I was wondering if I had a shot. I may want to attend law school after undergrad (long way away), and NYU has a fantastic law school.
Also how can I explain my low GPA? Would it be a negative to say that I was immature and unfocused my freshmen year? Would they consider that a character flaw? By “they” I just mean colleges in general.
Your stats are within range for NYU CAS (not for the more selective Stern and Poly colleges). You have URM status and solid test scores, but they are stinkers about financial aid and seldom meet full need. It’s worth applying, but check with your parents before applying ED if you’re considering that route. NYU’s ED is binding, and if your FAFSA report shows an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) above what your parents believe they can afford, you will be in trouble. If you have your sights on law school, you should follow the money for undergraduate colleges. Financial aid is much tougher to get in law school, and it would be a mistake to start piling up debts now. I infer that you are not in the top 7% of your class, and probably ineligible for admission to UT. With your own state public flagship out of the picture, you can start looking at liberal arts colleges that are likely to offer a strong URM candidate a generous aid package. Howard is one, of course. GWU has great Poli. Sci., but is very pricey. It’s worth a try, but American might be better for merit aid. Some smaller colleges are keen to attract more promising URMs. Occidental has great Poli. Sci. (including a unique “campaign semester” option and a semester based at the UN). Willamette is across from the Oregon State Capitol, and you’re practically guaranteed a legislative internship if you want one. They are very generous with merit aid, and they also have a “3+3” 6-year BA/JD program with their law school. U. of Miami, Tulane, Temple, Fordham, Pitt, and a few small colleges like Guilford or Earlham might be generous and provide a very solid pre-law/poli.sci. education. My son is a Poli. Sci./Government/Public Policy student at New College of Florida, and he has a lot of internship and independent study opportunities coming up for the 2016 elections. They offer a semester in Tallahassee to work with the Florida legislature, in affiliation with FSU. UT-Austin would be ideal, of course, but your URM status won’t help and your GPA is probably out of range.
Thank you. You named a few schools I have been looking at, particularly Fordham, Miami, Tulane and Occidental. Yes you are right the top 7% at my high school is a 4.0 UW, so UT would be a high reach. Do you think having other siblings in college will help with financial aid? Or do they not ask about these types of factors? Many colleges often state that applying ED doesnt help your chances, and doesn’t give you a better financial package. I was just wondering if this is completely accurate.
@woogzmama has some great suggestions. I would also add Dickinson, which has great merit aid/fin aid contributions, actively supports study abroad, and has Washington dc semester options (all covered by the same fin aid package).
Agreeing that if you even think you might go to grad school try to avoid undergrad debt!
Re: the change in GPA, ideally, your GC would write that your 9th grade results served as a wake up call and you got your act together and impressed your teachers with how much you were able to improve your marks through self-discipline, motivation, follow through, etc.
I would like to go to grad school, although it’s not impossible that my opinion could change, because I have 5 years ahead of me. I appreciate the advice about undergrad debt. I will keep it in mind during the coming months.