Chance Me for Georgetown, American, Tufts, George Washington

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi!
I’m a rising senior hoping to study international relations, and these four schools are my top choices. I was wondering if anyone could chance me?
GPA: 4.5
Classes:
9th Grade: AP Biology, Honors English, Honors Geometry, Honors Spanish II, Honors Modern History I, Honors Religion (I go to Catholic school; it’s required all four years.)
10th Grade: AP Chemistry, Honors American Literature, Honors Algebra II, Honors Spanish III, Honors Modern History II, Honors Religion
11th Grade: AP Environmental Science, Honors British Literature, Honors Precalculus, Honors Spanish IV, AP World History, AP English Language and Composition, Honors Religion
12th Grade (as of now but won’t change): Honors World Literature, Honors Religion, Honors Calculus, AP Comparative Government, AP Spanish, AP European History, AP US Government

Test Scores:
SAT: 2260 (800 CR, 750 W, 710 M)
SAT II: 750 (Biology E), 680 (Chemistry); waiting on results for World History and Spanish.
AP: 4 (Biology), 5 (Chemistry); waiting on results from Environmental Science, World History, and English

ECs and Accomplishments:
-Varsity swimming: I qualified for Sectionals and States and was named a League All-Star 9th, 10th, 11th grade, and was elected captain for next year’s season. I also swim on a club team that’s one of the highest ranked in my region.
-Academic Decathlon: I have won medals in every competition in which I have participated and am team captain next year.
-Academic World Quest: Team came in second place in state competition this year; I am team captain next year.
-Model UN: I started my school’s Model UN club this year! We haven’t competed yet, but I think having started it looks good?
-Regional Advisory Council delegate: My state’s Department of Education has a Student Advisory Council program, where each school can elect to delegates to serve on a council that can advise the Department on school-related issues. I’m a member of my regional council, and the assistant communications coordinator.
-Volunteer assistant teacher in my town’s summer program for special needs students; this opportunity isn’t normally available to high schoolers and I had to seek it out myself.
-National Honor Society
-National Spanish Honor Society

How are my chances for these schools? Should I do anything to improve? Thank you!

2

You’ve got solid stats & ECs. I’d say your chances are good - American & GW should be “match” while Tufts and Georgetown more of a low-reach (for anyone really). I believe GT requires 3 SAT IIs so results on your latest tests can tip one way or another. Do you have a favorite? Have you visited all? Where are you from geographically? How many others from your school are applying to same schools? Any chance you’re URM? All factors can come into play. I think a lot will depend on things you’ve got no control over (where you’re from etc.) and the essays - which you do have control over. Figure out how you can stand out. Ask yourself: how many essays on the same topic will they receive? (Ideal answer: zero) Good luck!

3

Thank you so much! I have visited all of them-- Georgetown is my favorite, and I like the other three about equally for different reasons. I’m from Massachusetts, not an URM, and people from my school generally don’t apply to these schools-- they usually go for more math/science-focused programs, or relatively smaller Catholic schools in the general New England region. I’ll definitely try to make my essays stand out-- I have a variety of topics I’ve written drafts for that I think are relatively unique. Again, thank you, and your advice was wonderful!

4

I agree that American and George Washington are matches while Georgetown and Tufts are more reaches. But for international relations I also recommend looking into Cornell because we have an awesome program! Although obviously not located in Washington, we do have a Cornell in Washington program where you can study in Washington for a semester with Cornell professors while also interning in Washington at the same time.

5

Georgetown 31%
Tufts 33%
George Washington 68%
American 92%

6

UPDATE: New test scores recently came back. I now have, in addition to the above, a 35 ACT Composite (36R, 34M, 35S, 36E); for subject tests, I have a 750 in Spanish and an 800 in World History. Hoping this is all still good!