For most of my schools, my 31 ACT falls low-mid in their 50% range.
Also, for my financials, we’re in a place where I’ll receive just enough aid from most schools where my parents can cover almost the rest. There would be about a 5-7k gap though, so I’m looking at small local scholarships to help me.
Thank you! I really appreciate it : )
That’s what I’ve thought about, I haven’t not submitted any test scores as they fall in the range. If I submit test optional my rational is that the admissions officer would assume I have much lower scores, so it’s better to show them.
I also love GWU! They give good merit scholarships. I know they have an IB specific scholarships which is automatically applied, so that’s a lot of money I’d already receive if I get in.
I usually ask about their international
programs and if they have any minority specific pre-professional programs. I’m interested in pre law or a dual degree abroad so that’s what I always ask about : )
Aside from my work experience, here’s my leadership / volunteer experience that I put on my resume.
Student International Pathways Program, Miami, FL, Founder
January 2020 – Present
Connected 24 South Florida high school students with internship positions in 8 consulate offices (2020 - 2022).
Conducted office outreach, met with consuls, designed website, and created multiple social media campaigns.
Model United Nations, President
August 2021 – Present
Manage the operations, finances, and promotion of a club that is committed to furthering the global awareness of the student body.
Increased attendance by over 250% (from approximately 15 members to over 40 members).
Oversee $6,000 in total expenditures.
Facilitating current event discussions open towards the entire student body of over 3,000 students in order to foster a community of students interested in international relations and global affairs.
Presented information regarding the club to classroom audiences of 30 students.
The Cavaleon (Yearbook), Clubs Editor August 2021 – Present
Coordinate with 50 other executive boards for quotes and photography.
Manage photographers for all club events; including honor societies, competitive clubs, and cultural events.
Build spread layouts using Herff Jones eDesign, Photoshop, and Canva.
International Baccalaureate Honor Society, Treasurer
August 2021 – Present
Coordinate finances for the annual non-profit gala “Bridge for Peace”.
Helped raise over $10,000 for the Asociación Emergencia Ayacucho (AEA) in 2020 to build a school in Guatemala, and over $8,000 for Feeding South Florida in 2021, a nonprofit striving to end hunger in our local communities.
Oversee the collection of donations, ticket sales, and coordinate with the nonprofits.
Miami’s Independently Assembled Model
United Nations Conference, Director-General
March 2020 – July 2021
Assembled three state-wide conferences; invited over 300 middle school and high school delegates.
Oversaw the creation of 12 general assembly, specialized, and crisis committees.
Helped raise $5,000 for education charities, and donated hundreds of school supplies with MIAMUN’s nonprofit component.
Coordinated a dozen educational workshops; aimed to provide delegates with a platform to re-learn MUN.
Volunteer Experience
Joe Biden Presidential Campaign, Miami, FL, Volunteer
June 2019 - July 2019
Surveyed 100 individuals outside the Miami Democratic presidential debates regarding policies and candidate preferences.
Helped create the “Joe-Cone” ice cream truck; handed out Biden ice creams while discussing the election.
Florida Justice Institute, Miami, FL, Volunteer June 2018 - August 2018
Organized and filed an average of 100 case files per week, assisted in researching cases, helped manage social media.
This will be a school by school situation, one you have to research, as many schools do not stack scholarships. What that means is if you earn outside scholarships, the schools may decrease your need based aid by the amount of outside scholarships, so you are in the same place as you started. Some schools will apply outside scholarships to work-study or loans first, so that is a clear benefit. Many schools require outside scholarship checks to be signed over to them. Bottom line…you have to look on each school’s website to understand how they handle outside scholarships. If their website isn’t clear, call the financial aid office and ask.
I am still concerned that you don’t have an affordable safety…would FSU be affordable with no gap? The schools on your list that do not meet full need are likely to gap you even more than $5K-$7K.
Very impressive that you were able to obtain all these internships. And they seem impactful.
For others out there who are aspiring college or Hs students, can you explain how you sourced and obtained so many ?
I think the experience you described is far greater than even most graduating college students.
So I’m sure your processes and methods would be a boon to others.
I have 100% bright futures and another State of Florida scholarship which would cover my cost of tuition, books, and possibly housing. My parents already pay in full for my brother to attend FSU, which they said they’d match for me if needed. I’m not worried about aid at all for in-state thankfully.
No definitely, I’m very very fortunate for all my internships!
It was genuinely difficult to break into government internships at first. I had cold emailed 100s of offices in my region asking for an internship. Eventually, after months emails I was able to secure an internship with the Thai Consulate. After this I had some more padding to my resume, and rec letters. I applied to my local government’s page program that same summer. They then moved me to a full time intern because they saw how genuinely passionate I was. From there, they recommended me to Donna Shalala and the Taiwanese Consulate.
What I recommend to others is to: create a strong resume using what you have already (clubs, volunteer experience) and request 2 rec letters from teachers. Then just start cold emailing every place you want to intern at. Just explain your situation and how you think interning there would help you. Then after that you really just need luck on your side. Once that first interview comes, you have to nail it and make sure you get that position. I always try to be charismatic and get to know my interviewer, which they appreciate.
Again - If a Vandy, for example, has a 34-35 middle 50%, I don’t see how submitting a 31 can help because not only are you below the 75th percentile, but you are 3 points below. A BU has a 34 average.
I’m not suggesting the OP not apply. I am suggesting (in my opinion) that a test score at schools like this, Tufs, Yale, Columbia, etc. can only hurt, not help.
Yes, admissions counselors look at different things and Chicago showed they enrolled a 20 ACT student - but in general, being so far below can’t be an added value. The percentage of kids applying TO today, even at top schools is significant, and if it were me, I’d be going that route (except AU)
But - as everyone else seems to disagree - that’s fine.
In the end, the OP will have to make the best decision for them.
There is no doubt, outside of the test score, the portfolio, especially the ECs, is extremely impressive.
Provide your ACT to every school to which you apply. No doubt about it.
I definitely will be, I want them to see that I have good scores aside from my STEM sections.
I think you will be a very competitive applicant for Georgetown. Because of its low overall admit rate, you should definitely learn to love some of the more realistic options on your list (eg, American and Fordham.) Keep us posted.
I absolutely love Fordham and American as well. I’m interested in AU’s Sakura Scholars Program, and Fordham is great to be in NYC. I’ll definitely keep you all update one what happens.
Fingers crossed for GU on Dec 15th : )
Admissions professionals have acknowledged and responded to the disparity in cohort performance among various ethnic groups when it comes to standardized testing. I previously included the Brookings study that details some of the potential root causes such as inequalities in access to test prep, test bias etc.
Consequently the same score for a ORM will likely be interpreted and calibrated differently for a URM.
The OPs reading and English scores are elite across any broad population (school averages) while the other scores when considered against a URM “bump” are likely highly competitive.
Hope this explains it.
Specific to the OP not showing the results would prevent their ability to highlight the near perfect English and reading which are the most relevant test results per OPs area of interest. Show them you have reason to be very proud!!
This did explain it very well, thank you! I was hoping you could discuss a little more about the topic, it seems interesting.
How would my score be recalculated considering I’m a URM?
And I agree! I want them to see my reading and english scores that I worked hard on, despite my performance on other sections : )
I have met a few diplomats and they all stunk at math😀. You will be fine.
Definitely lawyers and diplomats aren’t very good at math 