<p>First Generation College Student and first generation American.</p>
<p>Graduating from Brooklyn Tech, one of NYC's most competitive high schools.</p>
<p>Cumulative Average : 85 UW</p>
<p>SAT II: USH 800
(Taking English in October)</p>
<p>ACT: 33 Composite
32 English
28 Math
34 reading
36 Science
7 Writing</p>
<p>APs: USH-5
US Govt and Politics-5</p>
<p>Will be taking two-three more in senior year.</p>
<p>ECs: Not much, but I've been practicing Thai boxing since sophomore year and I am planning to continue it. Will be trying out for Men's V-ball team for senior year. Had a summer job+ looking for internships this year. Was in choir for freshmen year.</p>
<p>My greatest weaknesses would be lackluster ECs and the lackluster average (due to several factors such as family, insane teachers, etc).</p>
<p>33 ACT and an 800 SAT II will most likely be enough to get you in with the 85 average (which isn't really that bad). The only reason I put it any way other than a definite accept is because of Fordham's consistently increasing selectivity. 42% accepted this past year, I'd expect next year to be 35-40% accepted.</p>
<p>You're a New Yorker and opted to take the ACTs as opposed to SAT? Hopefully, the admissions office will not make a deal out of this. Fordham is really big on GPA/EC's (both of which are on the low side). Standardized scores are good. I would say you have a shot but with Fordham's increased selectivity over the years, I would have a safety school lined up. Early action will show interest in the school and can't hurt - my bet is that they will defer you into the regular pool. </p>
<p>Do really well senior year; they'll take a look at the mid-year report. Make sure you show a lot of interest in the school - visit the school, talk to the admissions people, and write a really good essay. </p>
<p>You're a border-line applicant (not saying you will get accepted or rejected) so try making the best of what is still left in your control to sway the decision to your side.</p>
<p>There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with a New Yorker taking the ACT. Fordham U. does not distinguish between the two. Fordham will convert your 33 ACT to the Sat equivalent of 1470 and that will be marked prominently in their system. Personally, I would encourage anyone to take the ACT several times because you only have to report your one highest mark. If you do poorly on the SAT, the colleges will see all your SAT marks and while they may consider the best marks, trust me they are looking at the poor marks too. The ACT is becoming more popular in the northeast and I don't know of one school that will differentiate between the two. If a student tests better with the ACT, it would be silly not to take the test and use that test for their admissions. There is no risk for a northeasterner using the ACT. As a matter of fact, Fordham Prep is evaulating their sophomores this year after they take the PSAT & PLAN and will encourage those who test better on the PLAN to take the ACT. I'm sure one can surmise that there is a special relationship between the Prep and the University.</p>
<p>One other thing, Fordham has lots of students with 85 hs gpas, and your 33 ACT, 5 AP mark & 800 SAT marks are excellent. Definitely try to have a great Senior Year, particularly the 1st quarter. While no one here can truly tell you your chances, your lack of EC's could hurt you. Fordham loves kids who are involved in their community and school. If you have been devoted to Thai boxing since sophomore year, that is something you can focus on. It can be a good thing to have a passion for something rather than have no focus on lots of activities. Your Summer job is another good thing, but what did you do during your frosh, soph summers? Travel to your parents' homeland perhaps? Any community service in your background? Think back and make a list of everything you have done in hs, even if it doesn't seem like a big deal to you. Intramurals? Clubs? Tutoring? Service Projects? Sports?</p>
<p>Also, I meant to add above, the SAT is going to allow students to report their highest score only like the ACT, but that may be in a year or two -not sure when it will happen.</p>
<p>Here's the SAT info from the College Board site:</p>
<p>New SAT Score-Reporting Policy</p>
<p>The College Board has approved an important change to the current SAT score-reporting policy. This new policy will give students the freedom to send the scores by sitting (test date) that they feel best represent their ability to colleges and universities, at no additional cost. Designed to reduce student stress and improve the test-day experience, this new score-reporting feature will launch in early February 2009, and will therefore be available to students participating in the March 2009 test administration.</p>