<p>I know under most circumstances my GPA and rank would preclude me from gaining admission, and I don't necessarily buy into the whole "GPA is just a number" thing or the "every applicant is unique" sphiel. Yet, I do feel like my application, while immensely lacking in some points, is strong enough in others to at least warrant a second look.</p>
<p>Academics:
GPA: 3.6/4.2 (Statistically speaking, bottom 13% percent, I think)
Rank: Like top 60% (super competitive magnet school)
Because my school recognizes that it is super competitive (#3 school public in PA), they weight normal classes with 1.1 and mark them down as advanced (probably doesn't mean anything)
Outstanding Participant in National Achievement Program, Venture Scholar</p>
<p>Tests:
SATs: 1990 first time, pending scores of October SAT (in top 25% in reading and writing, below in bottom 25% for math)
Advanced Courses: 1 honors course (Junior Year), 5 AP Courses (1 Junior Year, 4 senior year).
5 on AP English Language </p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Founder and President of High School Dems
Captain (senior year) and secretary (jr year) of county champion, state finalist mock trial team. (Participating since 10th grade)
Class secretary (junior and senior year)
Prom committee (Jr + senior year)
Junior State of America chapter secretary (10th-12th)
Contributor to school newspaper (9th)
Organizing fellow with the Obama campaign (June 2012 - November 2012)
Helped launch High School Students for Obama statewide (deputy for 11th grade)
Ran technological end of community meetings (10th grade)
Worked at a day camp (Summer 2010)
Youth Commissioner for my city's youth commission, working with municipal elected officials to work on legislation benefiting the youth of my city. (12th)</p>
<p>Application boosts:
Inner city African-American male
Good essay and supplements
Decent recommendations
Had a good interview with admissions staff last week</p>
<p>The only thing I'm worried about is that even if I do pique the interest of the admissions staff enough to give me shot, my need for financial aid will prevent me from gaining admission, because my EFC is pretty close to 0.</p>
<p>Apply and see what happens. The online application is free.</p>
<p>My nephew was accepted with an 1880 SAT and a 94 average (top 7%) of his class in a rural school, and he wasn’t an underrepresented minority.</p>
<p>If your EFC is zero, you need to apply to a lot of schools, to see who gives you the best offer. Apply to Union, do a great job on the application, and then move on.</p>
<p>If they accept you ED and their financial aid offer is not acceptable, you can negotiate with them. You are allowed to back out if you don’t think it is enough to allow you to attend. Union likes to meet need, so if they take you, they will likely give you a package that will allow you to go. I knew someone 10 years ago who had an EFC of zero, and they gave him enough money to go.</p>
<p>EarthPig- Union is dedicated to meeting 100% of the differential between EFC and CoA. Additionally, they are need aware, so they must turn away some people with high need. I’m just kind of worried that my EFC coupled with my low GPA might not make me someone they wish to invest so much in.</p>
<p>Mom55- Union was always on my list because of the financial aid issue. Coupled with their emphasis on practical learning, the beautiful campus (from what I’ve seen, I will probably only visit after/if I receive an acceptance letter), and the amount of fun I could see myself having at Union, it quickly became my number one choice. Plus the average ROI of a Union education isn’t anything to bat eyelashes at either.</p>
<p>dc2013: It’s possible that Union may decide that your GPA isn’t good enough. It’s possible that they’ll look at your GPA, curriculum and entire package and decide that you’re fine.</p>
<p>I can understand that you’re worried about your GPA, but you’re certainly within the realm, especially since you’re a URM from an inner city. I haven’t researched this, but I think you’ll find that Union doesn’t draw a lot of inner city URM’s.</p>
<p>Like I said, my nephew did get in with lower SAT scores than you have, and he wasn’t a URM.</p>
<p>If you’re really interested in Union, I would say that you should apply ED as planned, and get other applications ready to send to the 4 winds in case they say no or defer you. We’re not admissions officers, and you certainly haven’t posted your transcript, so we can’t evaluate it the way Union will be able to.</p>
<p>The admissions committee has completed its review of the early decision candidates for the class of 2017. Your application has been forwarded for consideration with the regular decision candidates. The committee will reevaluate your application in the regular decision process. Be sure to have your midyear grades forwarded to Union. The committee welcomes any additional information you wish to send.
Final decisions will be available in the last week of March.</p>
<p>While on the topic, is anyone aware of how many people are deferred that gain admission in the regular decision round? I feel like being deferred after applying ED is just a gentle way of being let down and I need to know if I should just give up and head to a CC or not.</p>
<p>I had an interview and constantly stayed in contact with my admissions counselor after the interview to ask questions… I don’t think I can show any more quantifiable interest.</p>