Chance Me: Villanova

Hi everyone! I am currently a high school senior in the final steps of the application process and was wondering if it’s even worth it to write the supplements/pay the application fee to get into this school. Here are my stats

ACT:29
GPA Weighted (which is what they report on the admissions profile): 3.77
GPA Unweighted: 3.63

Extracurriculars:
School-Sponsored Leadership Initiative: Founding Member/Student Board Member (1 year)
Student Ambassadors Club: Founding Member (1 year)
Varsity Football Team Manager (2 Years)
Drama Club: 5 productions/3 Lead Roles (3 years)
NHS:Member (2 Years)
After-School Tutoring Program: Tutor (1 years)
School-Sponsored Sports Tournament: Referee (4 years)

Recommendations
2 Academic Teachers and 1 Counselor

Other Items of Importance:
I fell that while my GPA is much lower than expected, I did have an upward trend up until second semester of last year when I was both introduced to new medication to combat my ADHD, which took some time adjusting to inside and out of school, as well as my grandmother falling ill and passing away suddenly during the end of the second semester/during my final exams.
Just wondering if these reasons would possibly be plausible reasons for this sudden drop in the eyes of the admissions office?

What is your intended major?

business

sorry I forgot to tag you @phxcactus

The chances are low for business with a 29 ACT. If you look at the EA thread almost everyone I saw was deferred/rejected with below a 32/1400. If this is your reach school and you don’t have many other ones, apply and see what happens.

@a20171 Do you think it would be safer for me to apply to College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and attempt to transfer?

Transferring between schools is extremely difficult. You need at least a 3.7 for an application for a business MINOR to be considered, and for someone to go into business, someone else has to leave for the most part. The school is very small and they like to keep it that way. If you’re dead set on business and won’t be satisfied with an economics degree, applying for CLAS is not a good idea.

I agree with everything a20171 said. Apply, what have you got to lose, but I would have backups in mind and be sure to apply to them.

@a20171 A top grad school is my ultimate goal, so I think I would be content as an econ major. As of now, I’ve been exposed to the conflicting opinions of “Where you go for undergrad doesn’t really matter if you have high GPA and GMAT scores” and conversely “You need to go to the best school possible to place into a great grad program”. Just confused here but thought this might be a good reach school for me.

So, this is my input on your grad school dilemma. For undergrad, you do not have to go to the ‘best possible’ school for your major, rather choose a school where you can grow, develop, feel comfortable, and most importantly, make connections. Those connections are going to help you…while yes, your GPA and GMAT scores do matter, the connections help tremendously. What is the alumni network look like? How many students who graduate are either in the workforce or in grad school after graduating from undergrad? Does the school have a graduate program in the major you desire? Do they tend to put ‘more’ into their grad students rather than undergrad (split focus)? My son debated with all of these questions, ended up choosing Villanova over a #6 in the nation school for his major. He does not regret it. Best of luck in your search!

Villanova is great for networking opportunities and our career center is a great resource. I also know its possible to take business school classes even if you’re not in the business school if you let your advisor know you intend to go into business.