<p>Hi guys, I posted before but it's been a while and it's getting closer to the deadlines! </p>
<p>I am a student applying for NYU Stern (ED2, top choice), CMU Tepper, Cornell AEM as my reach schools (primarily).</p>
<p>My grades are rather low. I have a 86.5% UW GPA as my school doesn't use the 4.0 scale directly. My weighted GPA is a 92...that is not weighing any honors classes.</p>
<p>My grades are low because of a combination of a family situation: my father died just prior to my freshman year, resulting in a bad freshman/sophomore year. My mother was hospitalized twice + had a pretty severe surgery as well as ongoing depression, and I had somewhat of a "family responsibility" if you could call it that. I missed many days those two years. I have an upward trend..in both class rank (26% now from 74% in 9th grade, but we don't weigh honors and many students just get A's in academic and a few elective APs so it's not too accurate).</p>
<p>My SAT is a 2100 (1400 CR/M), 750 Math II, 700 Chem (subject tests).</p>
<p>My primary EC is that I own a financial consultation and app development firm (registered incorporation), it is making low five figures and I've owned this for 2 years. I manage all the credit building, financials, legalities, etc. and I have a partner my age who does all the programming. I am the CEO. Besides this, I have worked at several web hosting companies and have references, along with doing data entry for a local tutoring franchise. I take a rigorous course load labeled 'most' by my GC rec. Essays and recs are excellent as always.</p>
<p>Do you think I have a chance at those schools? I want to go into business/finance and iBanking, because I know a lot about this already and it is my passion.</p>
<p>I am applying to the same schools.
From what I’ve been seeing, the SAT scores seem ok.
Not great, but not bad either.
That company of yours will REALLY make you stand out. It’s the first I’ve read about a highschooler doing that on these forums.
Also, considering all that’s happened in your family, you have done quite well.
The order of difficulty I feel you will have for acceptance is:
NYU
Cornell
CMU</p>
<p>GPA and SAT are good, I guess a tiny bit lower than average, but I think they will be completely overshadowed with your business. That is definitely a hook.</p>
<p>Stern: mid-low reach, just beast those essays and talk about your business, it will help a lot
Cornell: generally i’d say acceptance is close to Stern’s, so also mid-low reach
CMU: match</p>
<p>Hopefully, you can chance me too! Also applying to Stern, but ED1 Hope we both can get it.
Thanks</p>
<p>Over the years I’ve worked with many students who have had family and personal tragedies and problems. So as much as I feel for you given yours, I want to caution you that schools hear so many sad stories they rarely extend flexibility to these students.</p>
<p>These schools are all reaches, but not unrealistic ones. Write your best essays and ask your counselor to write about your background. But make sure to have safeties you like.</p>