Chance me for Georgetown and NYU (be honest)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hispanic male from Central New Jersey applying to SFS for International Politics
SAT: 1470 (760 English, 710 Math)
ACT: 32 (33 superscored, but I know they don’t superscore. 34s in reading and writing and 31s in math and science)
GPA: 4.04 weighted (my school weighs differently, valedictorian is usually around 4.5, and thats super high. A TOP gpa in my school would be around 4.2)
AP Tests: AP Euro (5), AP Psych (5)
National Honors Society
Spanish Honors Society
National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar (top 3,000 hispanics in country)
Senior year courseload: AP Spanish, AP Comparative Gov, AP US Gov, AP-level English, electives.
(NOTE: it is harder to take AP classes at my school, so the most that a smart person would normally take would be around 4-6 in all of high school)

Essays: Personal statement was very personal and I thought it was good (but I’m sure everyone thinks the same about their own). It was about how I came out as gay, became depressed and became obese, and then overcame obesity and lost 80 pounds. I think it shows a lot of my character. Made teacher cry.

Letters of Rec: I imagine that they are good.

Interview: Went amazing!

ECs: Co-editor in chief of school newspaper (4 years, leadership), camp counselor over the summer (4 years, leadership), worked on the campaigns of 2 local politicians (3 years), Taught self to conversational fluency in Spanish and Portuguese after refusing to speak them since I was little. Overcame obesity, losing 80 pounds (significant time commitment due to health reasons), member of school organization that teaches sex ed to peers through workshops, was “Stat Boy” for volleyball (just one year, nothing big), national honors society (500 hours).

Overall note: My GPA is still good but it is not where it could be because I have gone through some significant mental problems in high school that were explained. Obviously I could’ve done better, though, and I regret letting my academics suffer because of my own problems with coming out.

Hooks: Hispanic, gay, overcame obesity (not sure if that counts, but i’ve heard it stands out a lot)

2

I would imagine that a lot comes down to the SFS essay when specializing in such a program. Your chances also depend greatly on the type of school you attend. Probably a deferral but a good chance during regular decision since Gtown accepts many kids after wait listing them.

3

By the way, AP classes are harder to take in my school. The most a freshman could take is 1 (and that is only like 5 people), the most a sophomore can take is 2-3 (again, the really top), and junior year it would be 4.

4

Your stats are nothing special, and ECs seem pretty standard. I do agree that you’ve got a great story, but I think your fatal flaw is the fact that even though you’re applying for SFS IPOL, nothing in your app really shows your interest towards international politics, aside from the two AP classes and your language. You need to make it clear that IPOL is what you want to do and that you’re genuinely excited about it in your essays.

5

@masquerade98 yes, I agree. SFS has an essay that allows you to do so so I will go ahead and use that. Thanks!

6

Gay is not a hook.
Weight loss (or any medical issue) is not a hook.

A hook is something that you have that they want: an athletic ability that helps a team they care about win. truly amazing amounts of money for the school. fame that will attract (positive) attention to the school. URM that will help them not look elitist.

SFS is a notably harder admit than GC. You don’t list any subject tests, and iirc they like 3. As @masquerade98 points out, SFS is very specific that they want to see evidence of serious interest in how the world works and leadership in it. Your ECs, as presented don’t show that.

As for your focus on how hard it is to take APs at your school: remember that all applicants are evaluated in terms of their school. Your school will send some form of a ‘fact sheet’ with your application that will specify what the normal path is, what the rules are for things like AP classes, etc. There are many schools that tightly control when and what and which students can take APs- that is nothing new for all US colleges.

7

youll get in.