Chance me please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z George Washington University
1

First of all, I’m sorry about the long post, but please bear with me here. I am an Indian male and I go to one of the top public schools in Kansas. It is extremely competitive.

The George Washington University

GWU is my number one choice by far. I did a campus visit and drove 3 hours so I could do my alumni interview. I wanted to apply ED, but I’m concerned about my ability to pay, so I opted for RD.

here are my stats:

high school grades:
9th grade:
debate: A/A
French 1: B/B
French 2.5: B/A
Freshman Band: A/A
General PE: A/A
Honors Biology: A/A
Honors Comm. Arts I: A/A
Honors Geometry: B/A

10th grade:
Health and Wellness (online): B
Advanced Debate: A/A
AP European History: C/B
Concert Band: A/A
French 3.5: B/B
Honors Algebra: A/C
Honors Comm. Arts II: B/A
Chemistry I: A/D

11th grade:
Symphonic Band: A/A
AP English Language: A/A
Honors Pre-Calc and Trig: B/A
Advanced Debate/Economics: A/A
Physics: A/A
AP US History: B/B
AP Chemistry: C/B

12th grade:
Symphonic Band: A
Advanced Debate: A
AP Biology: B
AP Calculus AB: B
AP English Literature: B
Software Coding: A
Web Design: A

I am taking AP US Government next semester.

my weighted GPA is 4.0 and class rank 98/368
my unweighted GPA is 3.5 and class rank 148/368
Principal’s Honor Roll: 9th and 11th grade
Academic Letter: 9th grade and 11th grade
AP Scholar with Honor: 11th grade

I know I really messed up sophomore year, but I think my grades have improved since then, so there is an upward trend.

My SAT score is 2290 (CR:720 M:770 W:800)

Recs and Essays:
Pretty good recs: my teachers liked me a lot
My essays: My common app essay was really good, I wrote about living in India with my grandparents for two years. I did the “Why GW” supplemental essay, and I think it was really good. I talked about the academic opportunities that I want to get involved in, and I talked about a few specific programs. I also talked about student life. My UHP essays were not all that great because I made a last minute decision to apply to the program, so I had about a week to write both of them and polish them. However, they were still good (I would give them a 6.5-7/10)

Extracurricular Activities:
I play recreational soccer (co-founder and president of soccer club at my school)
I have been in the band for 4 years: Went to Washington DC my sophomore year and got to play with Air Force band. Also, went to state solo and ensemble festival. I am a section leader this year).
I have been on the debate team for 4 years
I am the secretary for the Asian american club at our school
I am a member of the National Honor Society
I have over 500 hours of community service (hospital, retirement home, youth group, fundraising activities)
I did track and field sophomore year
1st Dan black belt
I was elected District Judge at Boys State of Kansas
I also studied in a private school in India for 2 years (2nd and 3rd grade), if that helps at all

Hooks and Other Things:
I dont think I can pay 60k a year, but I also know I wont be getting any financial aid anytime soon, so yeah.
I am the first child in my family to do undergrad in the US (my parents did undergrad in India, and my dad did grad school in the US)
I have taken all of the hardest classes available to me at school
I’m really torn between pre-med and business, so I think I will double major.
I really really want to go to GWU (I will attend if I get in), so hopefully they may take my extreme interest in the school into account when reviewing my application. Like I said before, I did a campus visit and the alumni interview, and the only thing stopping me from applying ED was financial concerns.

Final comments:
I am really very concerned about college now because of my sophomore year grades and now I’m trying as hard as I can to get my GPA and class rank up, but I still feel like the grades from 10th grade are going to drag me down. My dream school is GWU. I applied to the University Honors Program. Can anybody chance me? And can anybody tell me if I am likely to get a really good merit scholarship (20-30k a year–hopefully full tuition)?

2

I only got 10K for merit, but the need based aid closed the gap and made it affordable for me

3

@SammyV6 what were your stats? and what year are you now? The thing is, I know for a fact I won’t be getting need based aid because we don’t qualify for any. At the same time, I probably won’t be able to go without a $20-30k merit scholarship, preferably full tuition(fingers crossed). My family is stuck in that middle ground, and its terrible.

4

bump

5

I’m applying RD too, and like you, I applied RD for similar reasons.

you may be interested in reading this. This article was published in March 2014, so it’s only last year. They mentioned in here that any grade that’s a C or lower is discussed, although that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be rejected.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/inside-the-admissions-process-at-george-washington-university/2014/03/22/f86b85fa-aee6-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html

6

hmm thats interesting. you dont think my sophomore year will get me a rejection letter do you?

7

I don’t think it’ll guarantee a rejection, if that’s what you mean. It may be concerning that you went from A -> D in Chem and A -> C in Honors Algebra but your grades picked up in junior year. Your ECs look pretty impressive and hopefully things like your essays and teachers recommendation are strong, too. Your SAT scores is also pretty high, too. I think you definitely have a very good shot at getting in!

8

My sophomore year was a pretty rough patch out of my high school career, and I guess it really tanked my GPA. I hope I do get in, because it my number one choice. Can anybody give me the probability for acceptance to the University Honors Program and/or a merit scholarship ranging from 30k-full tuition?

9

Probably no merit 30k+

10

so what would be a good estimate for a merit scholarship for me?

11

There is never a “good estimate” for a merit scholarship. Only the admissions committee will determine what merit aid should be awarded, and to whom.

12

@NHuffer can you help me?

13

My stats are in the link below! I was admitted ED2 (class of 2019) with 15k academic scholarship - I haven’t seen anyone posting in CC get much over 15k merit scholarship. It’s renewable for 4 years so 60k total.
You can always apply for scholarships within your state and community to lessen the cost! Thats what I am doing. Individual $1000-$5000 scholarships add up!

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/george-washington-university/1723433-chance-me-for-ed-2-thank-you-so-much.html#latest

14

Your drop in grades will definitely be a concern, but I think your SAT score and EC’s will help to compensate. Also, if you wrote a strong essay on “Why GW” that’ll help, too. I’d say that you’ve got an above-average shot as long as your essay is strong. As far as financial aid, I don’t think I have any advice to offer you in your situation.

15

I appreciate it guys. So far I have gotten into KU, Northeastern (with a 10k/year scholarship), and UT Austin. However, GWU is my first choice and will remain so, so I guess I should just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best!