Yes, I understand your perspective and I read the article - but take, for example, a BU - the average ACT is 34 yet only 42% of the class of 25 submitted scores.
That 42% also includes URMs. The other 58% will also include URMs.
The OP has decided to submit - and I respect that. My daughter submitted her 32 to schools I did not think she should have - but she was proud of her score, and there’s nothing wrong wth that. She got turned down at Rice and UNC OOOS and WL at Emory and William and Mary with that 32 - coming off the WL at neither. And frankly, had she not submitted the 32, the decisions likely would have been the same.
Short of AU, the OP will be at the 25% or below at each and every school. If everyone feels that’s ok for a URM student, and perhaps it is, then it’s basically telling anyone who is not a URM that they shouldn’t submit it. The fact that at top schools - like Wesleyan and BU - such a huge percentage of the class is applying TO is interesting and it does show you the schools are willing to look at the candidates portfolio in total. On the other hand, if 58% of the entering class at BU went in TO, why is that a bad strategy to apply if you are below the average. Again, many URMs would be in that group as well as non-URMs - and it’s clear, outside the test scores, the students portfolio is very good. in school work and exceptional outside the classroom.
Most social science programs today have a research and quantitative component - very different than when I had a social science major. And the math score will matter.
Anyway, the OP has decided to submit tests and that’s wonderful - it’s a choice he made. You all seem to agree - and that’s fair. Perhaps my perspective is off. And it’s only the OPs that matters - and congrats to him for making the choice.
The good news is - he really wants to be in DC or NY and if the $$ work out, American (but you have to demonstrate interest) and Fordham are highly likely. With AU, the Frederick Douglas scholarship, given his contributions outside of school, is a possibility. I mean, several students are going to win - so why not Benjamin??
I do not understand why students keep thinking that their sexual orientation is a meaningful metric in college admissions. It is not. AOs really, truly are not interested, and I have yet to see / hear of any college saying 'we really want to attract more LGBT students. IF your essay helps it will be because you have written a strong essay on an over-done topic- NOT because of the topic.
re: Georgetown: you have a good shot- but prepare yourself for a deferral. Georgetown is explicit that there is no admissions boost for EA, and they use EA to admit the students that they really, really want- students who are such strong applicants that they likely to have better options.
Hi! I discussed books in my essay and how they relate to me. For one of them, I only mentioned how it helped me through my sexuality and bullying. The essay though expands upon much more, so I definitely don’t rely on being LGBT.
That’s my worry too, that I’ll be deferred from Gtown during early action. I’d rather find out now than later because of the anticipation, but fingers crossed : )
Also another question. I have a lot of friends at Georgetown already who said they’d be willing to write an email to the office of admissions endorsing my application. Would you suggest I let them do this or not? I know some schools prefer unbiased applications, but my friends would be able to tell them
specific things (like clubs) that I’m interested in at Georgetown.
Just don’t take a deferral as a negative with Georgetown- it is the most likely outcome for all applicants. And- if you get an acceptance, take it as a huge compliment!
Shaping an essay around meaningful books should appeal to the Jesuit ethos of Georgetown
I didn’t know that my books essay would appeal to their jesuit values, but I’m glad it might!
I also wrote two of my essays on helping others. One was about how passionate I am about MUN (how it helped me), and how I created an online MUN organization during covid-19 to not let MUN “die out” during that because myself and many others are so passionate about it. I also wrote another about creating an internship program with consulate offices to help high school students, which includes my own struggles to find an internship as a minority student.
I know that Georgetown values community service and commitment to others, so I hope those two essays will appeal to those values as well
You’ll either be accepted or deferred. I remember from our tour they specifically said they deny no one. Everyone at least gets an RD review.
You’ve already accomplished amazing things. You, not the school, will make your success. And whether you attend Gtown or FSU, keep up what you’re doing. You already have winner written all over you.
Generally an unhooked candidate shouldn’t submit test scores if below the admitted student median, but of course there is some nuance there.
But OP, a URM, is hooked and that is why posters are recommending OP submit test scores everywhere. There are posters on these boards who are URM, and/or low SES who know this because they have gone thru the process themselves, or with their kids.
There are posters on these boards who work or have worked in admissions and/or are college counselors who work with URMs and/or low SES and/or other hooked applicants every day.
I don’t understand why anyone who doesn’t have this direct experience feels confident in not only giving their opinion on the matter, but also are willing to double down on that opinion when those with more experience clearly lay out the reasons for their recommendations.
With that said, I do understand that you are trying to help, but understanding the limitations of one’s experiences will help one make better and more meaningful suggestions.
Was trying to pm u but the system doesn’t allow. I get it but this differs from comments made on another thread the other week and wanted to ask u about them.
I will PM you. But you can PM anyone by starting it from your account by clicking on the envelope and typing in the handle of the person you want to PM.
How come I would be a hooked candidate? I thought that was usually for athletes or musicians? Unless I misunderstood when it was explained to me originally by my counselor
Underrepresented minorities (URMs) have a hook at many schools, because many of these schools are actively seeking URMs. An African American wouldn’t be hooked at HBCUs of course, or a Latino would not be hooked at U New Mexico just to take a couple of examples where there would not be a hook.
But you have a hook for most/all of the schools on your list, and that hook is why you should submit your test scores because your composite ACT is far above the average for a Latino or AA male student. Coupled with your GPA, rigor, and ECs, you are an impressive candidate and I agree with @tsbna44 that you are going to succeed no matter where you go to college.
I’m hoping that my ECs and school work, along with being a minority will balance everything out nicely and make me a good candidate!
Also I was hoping you could help me with my question about letters of endorsement from current students?
I have friends that attend Georgetown right now who said they could write a letter to the office of admissions about me endorsing my application. I know that some schools prefer unbiased applications (even though legacies exist), and therefore throw anything from current students about applicants away.
Would you recommend I have my friends at Georgetown write a letter of endorsement then? They’d be able to talk more about clubs I’d want to do and me on a personal level.
I would not have your friends write rec letters because they don’t know you on an academic level which is what colleges generally want to hear about. I don’t know if Georgetown would even accept these letters, and I would not want to irritate your AO…this is what the website says, and I generally encourage students to follow directions:
The Georgetown Application allows high school counselors and teachers to submit personalized letters of recommendation for our applicants.
You are a very strong candidate based on your academic performance while pursuing a rigorous course load. Beyond that your pursuit of experience and success in a specific area of interest as evidenced by your internships makes you stand out. Lastly your English and reading scores are elite.
Your being a minority will only help you to the extent a school thinks you will thrive and contribute to their community. No different then an athlete, legacy etc.
I add this so that you appreciate it is you and your achievements that will be getting accepted not your URM status. It is the totality of who you are, what you have achieved, unique perspective, future potential etc.
There used to be a commonly repeated tale that all you needed to do to get into Harvard was play oboe. In today’s highly competitive world you have to be entirely qualified academically, exceptional beyond the classroom and the best metaphoric “oboe”player (pick your uniqueness) among many.
Your narrative stands out and I am looking forward to hearing about your success be it at Georgetown or elsewhere.
