Chance Me for American University

Colleges and Universities A-Z American University
1

Applying: Regular Decision

Class of 2020 (High School)

Asian Male

State: California

Other: Straight, Bilingual, Baptist

SAT: 1350 Superscored (Math: 680, English: 670)

High School: Public, Magnet, rigorous, top 40 in the nation.

Letters of Recommendation: APUSH teacher, Algebra 2 teacher, (former) politician candidate, legislative aide, mentor

Demonstrated Interest: Attended 3 webinar sessions, group interview, school-informational meeting at my high school

Positive Transcript Trend!

Rank: High school does not rank, but if I were to estimate, I would be top 15% (or top 106/709)

Unweighted GPA: 3.78
Weighted GPA: 4.0
(Low, I know, but GPA for 10th and 11th grades: Unweighted: 3.92, Weighted: 4.23)–Upward Trend?!

AP Scores: Human Geography (4), Environmental Science (2), United States History (4), Statistics (4), United States Government & Politics (4), English Language (5). Anticipated AP Exams for Senior year: Comparative Government and Politics, Psychology, English Literature, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics

Extracurricular activities (in chronological order):

  1. Authored Chess Blog (5 articles), Interned at blog company – 100 hours over 2 months (9th grade)
  2. Interned at local public library leadership program to create one-day project that gives back to local community – 4 hours/week, 12 weeks (10th grade)
  3. Interned at Office of SF District Supervisor – Worked with legislative aides to manage office setting, created legislative proposals, co-created Halloween event that attracted over 500 neighborhood residents and the Mayor. – 6 hrs/week, 22 weeks (10th, 11th grade)
  4. Worked data analysis (targeting precincts with heat maps), canvassing, and opposition research for candidate for Supervisor. 3.5 hrs/week, 18 weeks (10th, 11th grade)
  5. Volunteered with community volunteer group at various marathons and community events – 127 hours (9, 10, 11)
  6. Worked communications for local chess club – assisted club preparing for tournaments with invitations; lecturer teaching several lessons at a summer night meet-up event–2 hrs/week (12th grade)
  7. School Chess Club - Vice President, Tournaments Director – managed school chess club in coordination with president. Coordinated tournaments for team to play across the state.
  8. San Francisco Little League Umpire - Worked as field and base umpire for little league baseball games (25 games) for players aging from 8-16. – 50 hours (10th, 11th, 12th grade)

Awards:

  1. SF Scholastic Chess Champion (1st place) 2018 High School section (10th grade)
  2. President Volunteer Service Award Gold (100+ hours of service by age 15)
  3. 2019 US Class National Chess Champion (1st place) Section D (1200-1399 USCF rating) (12th grade)
  4. AP Scholar with Distinction (2019)
  5. National Latin Exam Level I Cum Laude (10th grade)
  6. United States Chess Federation 93rd percentile rating

Intended Major: Political Science, minor in Data Analysis

Let me know if any more information should be used to determine chances, but please give feedback and chance me for American U!
Thanks!

2

I’d say American is a reach for you, especially since you’re applying to Political Science, the most popular major after international relations. Your ECs are good, but I’m not sure if they’re enough to balance out your tests and gpa. Your APs are good, but the 2 will definitely hurt you since you only have one 5 to balance it out. You also come from a really competitive state and have no hooks.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but I have a question about your school, is it top 40 in magnet or public schools because there are no public schools from California in the top 40 in US news’ ranking. It also seems odd that it would be rigorous and competitive if your 4.0 weighted puts you in the top 15%, since my high school personally was rated in the top 200 and the top 25% gpa was above a 4.5W-5.0W. Also, if your school is really that competitive and prestigious, they’d definitely expect a more competitive applicant. American is one of the most selective schools in the country.

3

You have a great chance !