<p>Desperate for opinions, haha :) - I posted two threads a few days ago in different forum sections but really only needed one, so I'm combining the info from both into this one. I really appreciate the input I get here. Also, if you want a chance back, let me know!</p>
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<p>After my dad died in my eighth grade year, I opened a business. I was a straight A student before then and learned a lot from my father, as he had a PhD in mathematics. I opened a company because my mother went into depression and I felt responsible. My company grew slowly, and I made some - low five figure range yearly - but I learned a lot. Now, in 2011, I'm a senior. I own the company still, which is a registered C Corp. I do my own taxes on the 1120, manage my technical company, build the brand, and I have established solid business credit to the point where I can secure 50-100K+ in credit lines if I need it.</p>
<p>BUT..(there's always that)</p>
<p>I have a bad GPA. It's only a 86.5 weighted, roughy, not including my now really good grades. I'm not skimping on courseload either, I'm taking two college science lab classes, AP Chem, AP Gov, and Physics. I also am taking Calculus II and planning to potentially take Differentials in my summer '12.</p>
<p>My SATs are decent, with a 2100. SATIIs are fine too, 750 math II, 700 Chem.</p>
<p>Classes I took:</p>
<p>At this time, NYU Stern is my top choice. My SAT falls in approx. their mid 50 range. My GPA is low, but I have the situation described above. I am thinking of appyling ED. I am not sure if I should apply ED to CMU instead, I like NYU more but if I have a much better chance of ED CMU then I'll go that route. Also, is ED 1 better than ED 2? I ask because if I do ED 2 my HS will show my updated senior grades.</p>
<p>Here are the AP/college level classes I have taken:</p>
<p>AP Statistics / 5 on exam
AP Comp Sci / 5 on exam
AP Chemistry / Currently Enrolled
AP US Government / Currently Enrolled
Biotechnology (highly selective, not AP, it is a dual enrollment college course that requires teacher recs, transcript, etc - I do have a letter from the professor, she worked at MIT and the letter states that we were highly selected for this program - about 5 students per school. It is basically AP Bio + rigorous lab activities)
Calculus I & Analytic Geometry (evening college class, finished with a 96.9 UW)
Calculus II & Analytic Geometry (currently enrolled - evening college class)</p>
<p>Less APs due to low GPA in freshman year..bad course</p>
<p>I have also taken the following honors classes in my school - not weighed:</p>
<p>Honors English (9th - 12th)
Honors Chemistry (11th)
Honors Biology (10th)
H Calculus (Contemporary/Economic)
Honors Earth Science
Honors US History
Honors World History
Honors European History
Honors Algebra II
Honors Physics</p>
<p>The following academic classes:</p>
<p>Academic Pre-Calc in 10th grade - I know - I did bad in 10th grade HAlgII but now I'm back in CalcII at a college
French (I-IV)</p>
<p>Electives:</p>
<p>Java programming
Visual basic programming
Flash Animation/programming AS
A couple more, can't think of them. Compsci and Stat are also electives at my school.</p>
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<p>Senior grades are currently high A's, and they're going to stay that way, or so I am trying. So far looking very good. I had a 80% GPA in 9th grade and a 3-4% improvement per year unweighted. But I am scared to apply ED1 because they won't show my first marking period final grades...or class rank. 2 AP and 1 college level weighting this year will help a lot. (The calc classes I take are not affiliated with my school, I cannot fit them into my schedule but I cannot stop taking math - so I am taking them evenings M/W)</p>
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<p>This company is my main EC. My grades have steadily gone up 1-2%. Other ECs include tennis, my other job (done for experience) which is tutoring and data entry for a franchise, and studying for my RHCE.</p>
<p>I sold the majority of my clients because my hosting business was taking upwards of 40 hours a week to manage. I'm fine now and money is no issue. I am working on developing a patent pending web application for my company.</p>
<p>How much does this help? I'm not aiming for Wharton, I have no chance with my grades. Looking at NYU Stern, CMU Tepper, Northwestern, and Emory as my "dream schools." What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Also, my essay describes the basic situation and what I learned as said in the beginning of this long post.</p>
<p>Sorry for the ramble, and thanks! Your opinions really matter!</p>
^^^^^</p>