Demographics: Male, 17, fully Chinese. First generation immigrant from Beijing. Both parents have doctorate degrees.
Intended Major: International Relations primarily focused on Security Policy
GPA: 3.42 Unweighted 3.5 Weighted
Standardized Testing Scores
SAT: 1390/1600
ACT: 28/36 (Not going to submit that one)
SAT US History: 750
SAT Chinese: 720
AP Classes Taken/Taking
-AP Microeconomics
-AP Macroeconomics
AP US History -3
-AP Psychology
-AP Chinese -4
-AP Environmental Science
Extracurricular activities
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s Student Advisory Board
Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts
Competitor/member of the National History Club. (Team placed 10th in the nation)
Wrote research papers about International Relations that have submitted to the Concord Review
Blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do
President’s Award Bronze for 100 hours of community service.
Work Experience:
-Lifeguard
Sports:
-Swimming
Track and Field
-Water Polo
Other Details
No class/grade rank at my school.
Proficient in 3 languages - English, Mandarin, and German
Applying to the Elliot School, looking to major in International Relations and Affairs and a possible minor in Political Science
Met the Admissions Officer in my area and on the GW mailing list
Seeking to study abroad or intern at the departments near GWU. I want to work for the CIA or the State Department after College.
Potentially able to get an Internship at the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC. My dad personally knows the Ambassador of the United States from China
-Essays and recs from teachers/counselor/mentor should be excellent.
I have a great Common App and Supplemental Essay for GWU
One suspension during Senior year. (I jumped in the swimming pool without permission)
-I submitted my Early Decision for this school
Sorry for the extremely long read!
NHuffer, if you read this, please give me feedback! You seem to be one of the most responsive and informative ones here! Thanks again!
I think you have a pretty good chance, considering your APs and early decision application. Your SAT scores are also very good. Your only problem could be your GPA. It looks like maybe you sacrificed this by taking too many APs. But all in all, good chance if they can look past your semi below average GPA.
I agree with @rebecca62 in that your GPA is a little weak. Not bad, just a little below “average” for accepted GW students. Like I tell other prospects, though, “average” is just a ballpark. GW always looks at the “big picture” of a student to get a feel for not just their academic success, but also how they would fit-in and potentially contribute to the school.
Did you only apply to the Elliot School? If so, you’re up against a lot of competition, and your chance of acceptance (in my opinion) is slightly less than average. I wouldn’t say it’s a reach, but I know how competitive the Elliot School is. If you also applied to the Columbian College for Political Science, I think your chance at getting in is slightly above average. Further, I think that you applying ED also helps in either case.
Regardless, don’t let this discourage you. Like I tell anyone else, just “wait and see.” The Admissions folks will get to see a whole lot more than me, and they’re the ones ultimately making the decision.
Yeah thanks for the wonderful insight! Part of the reason of my low GPA is how competitive my High School is. My High School is currently ranked #1 in California and 19th in the nation. Another reason of my low GPA is because of my problems with depression and anxiety during my Sophomore year. During that year my school had a couple of suicides and I lost a couple of friends
