Chance a HS student working full time?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I've worked five days a week, between 35 and 40 hours, for over a year. I'm 17, but I work to afford my own groceries, gas, etc. Obviously, this is a unique situation, and unfortunately, with everything else I'm balancing, my GPA shows. I'm not expecting them to completely overlook this fact, but I'm interested to see how you think an admissions committee would perceive this... I'm applying EA to Georgetown, what are my chances? I'm applying to the college, with sociology as an intended major.</p>

<p>Academics:
My GPA is probably my weakest point. I've taken extra courses over the summer every year of school, and I had a 4.0 ninth through tenth grade, but due to personal issues last year, it dropped to a 3.88 weighted. I'm unsure of what it is without weight, as that number is not presented on my transcript. I'd assume I'm at least in the top 5% of my class. My curriculum is challenging. I take a fair number of APs when compared to how many my school offers.</p>

<p>Test Scores:
5 on AP Lang, 3 on US History.
SAT score between 2100 and 2200. (Retaking next month, expecting 2200+)
SAT IIs: 710 US History; 710 Literature; 730 Math 1.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
I'm a member of NHS and various other clubs, president of my school's Model UN, and I founded an Amnesty International chapter independently at my high school. I also hold a large volunteer leadership position with the regional office of a large human rights organization, which borderlines on an internship. There is only one other HS student in VA with this position. I organize events and hold a few other significant responsibilities under this title.</p>

<p>Volunteer experience:
I've tutored students from fourth grade to tenth. I've volunteered on political campaigns and I'm planning to volunteer at an urban homeless shelter in the next month. </p>

<p>Other:
My public HS is extremely diverse.
I'm legacy to Georgetown (one of my parents attended the law school).
I have a great recommendation from a professor there in the major I'm declaring.
I received A's in the few undergraduate courses I took at Georgetown over the summer.</p>

<p>Essay/Recs:
I'm not sure how well written my essay will be, though it's based on my economic background: I was born while my parents were both in college, and they were on welfare for a few years while I was growing up.</p>

<p>While Georgetown is my first choice, I'm also applying EA to Tulane. I'm looking at UNC Asheville and UWashington as safeties.</p>

2

<p>I think it’s so incredible that you can work 40hr/week and still manage to keep up with your courseworks, and your community involvement sounds very impressive. The essays would be especially important in your case. Good luck with Georgetown, and I really hope everything goes well :)!</p>

3

<p>Well, they would be idiots not to take you. Sometimes all admissions departments screw up, but I like your chances. Without getting too personal, I worry more about how you are going to afford it. But that is another subject.</p>

<p>Give Tulane a serious look. Great sociology department and great city. Of course G’town has both those as well, but you already know DC, apparently.</p>

4

<p>Yeah, Tulane definitely has great financial aid as well. What I’m really interested in is social entrepreneurship and service learning, and taking those courses at Georgetown this summer really introduced me to everyone in DC who’s available in those fields. I’d also be able to continue with my human rights work since that’s based in DC.</p>

<p>My parents both have law degrees, but sort of “choose” not to be in private practice to oversimplify it… If I go to Georgetown or a name prestigious school, they’ve said they would make changes financially. Unfortunately, if I went to say, GW, that wouldn’t be the case.</p>

<p>Are there any other schools with good sociology programs, financial aid in a preferably urban setting, that I might be unaware of and might be a good fit for me stats-wise? </p>

<p>Two more things: Am I considered “legacy” if my mom is a GULC '00 grad? And how important is my interview? To be honest, my assigned alumni interviewer seemed to really look down on my job and asked few questions about this pretty large human rights position I hold. She was much more interested in asking for my numbers: my GPA, breakdowns of my SATs - which I thought was kind of odd.</p>

5

<p>After looking at your posts again, you are being too hard on yourself regarding your GPA. 3.88 UW is tremendous, and with your work load? It’s a great accomplishment. In fact, given your passion for human rights issues, your great school record, and the work load you have a compelling story. You should try for the DHS at Tulane. It is full tuition. Your SAT is a bit lower than the winners usually have, but there is more to it than that. Besides, the decision is not made until February for that scholarship and you might get a higher SAT score next month. If it does get over 2200 your chances go up.</p>

<p>It does require a separate application, due Dec 15. This has a project involved where you can do something creative that brings out your passion for this area. Also, New Orleans has some extremely active projects to protect the rights of those with no voice. There are plenty of opportunities outside of DC to engage your laudible instincts to help others.</p>

<p>Go for it!</p>

6

<p>Hahah no, my GPA is 3.9 W as of the end of my junior year. Though I recognize they were only summer courses, I’m hoping my A’s at Georgetown this past year and my two strong professor/teacher recommendations can illustrate my commitment and ability to learning in a college environment - at least at this point.</p>

<p>I’m definitely expecting my SAT to rise above 2200 and high ACT test scores to come in the upcoming weeks. I really didn’t prepare for the test before the morning of, and I was exhausted from working late the night prior. Even if I don’t do the DHS, Tulane already has pretty generous financial aid, and I’ll be resubmitting higher test scores for improved merit-based FA as well. </p>

<p>On another note, my parents, as lawyers have a high combined income, but they have over $150,000 in student loans plus all other sorts of debt incurred from college… Basically, they aren’t able (or willing) to commit what their “fair share” of my college tuition would probably be. Obviously there are limitations to applying for FA as an independent student, unless you’re married or homeless, but is there anything I can do beyond applying to a large number of schools/comparing FA packages?</p>

7

<p>No, I am afraid that’s probably it. You parents’ debt is taken into account when calculating EFC, but you are likely right that colleges will expect more than they seem willing to pay, based on your intimations. You would be smart to apply to a variety of schools and see what they offer.</p>