<p>I'm a high school junior at a large suburban Dallas high school. I hope to be admitted to A&M and want to major in International Studies with an emphasis on politics and diplomacy. I'm eyeing the Masters degree in public policy at the Bush school, as well. But first things first:</p>
<p>I'm ranked in the top 23%. Not impressive, I know. I'm taking the SAT again on May 5, but my current scores are 450 math and 730 reading. They don't care about the writing score but I have a 790 and my essay was a 10 out of 12. Strong writing skills will come in handy on the essays.</p>
<p>I've done cross country, was a cheerleader (multiple ankle injuries ended both activities) and am in Student Council, French Club, all the usual stuff. In student council, I've done a lot of community service. Next year, I'll be in Civitans and will be doing quite a bit more community service.</p>
<p>I'll get a Distinguished Achievement diploma. Do they care about that, or does everyone applying have one?</p>
<p>I've taken Pre-AP and AP courses, and have passed the AP English Language exam. I take the AP Lit exam next month and hopefully will pass that, as well. I'm taking several AP courses my senior year, as well, including economics.</p>
<p>I've worked since I was 15 at the same job in order to save money to study French abroad. I just found out the school in France accepted me for their program this summer. (I can't do it during the school year, it's too difficult logistically.) </p>
<p>I've taken three years of French in high school (this year is Pre-AP French III). My school doesn't offer AP French IV. But I feel strongly about building fluency in a second language for a degree in international studies and working abroad eventually. My school said they would put me in the same Pre-AP French III class next year and "call it" AP French IV, but doing the same verb conjugation worksheets another year is not going to help and that's not AP level work, anyway.</p>
<p>So I've worked and saved for 18 months for this study abroad opportunity and it's finally happening. It's a rigorous school and they are a consultant for the AP French exam for College Board. I'll sit for the EU and French ministry of education exam at the end of the summer. I'm paying for $7200 of the cost (the total is $7500), including paying for my passport. Because of that, my parents have been very supportive. I'm hoping to come back completely fluent. </p>
<p>The reason I mention all this is because I'm going to make it the focus of one of my essays. As cliche as it sounds, this is my passion: learning all I can about other languages and cultures and working in a diplomatic position someday. (Eventually, I'd like to add a third language.)</p>
<p>I feel like my extracurriculars aren't strong enough, but I've been working 20-30 hours a week since I was 15, year-round, with the goal of studying French abroad.</p>
<p>I almost wish A&M did interviews (though I know that's impossible!) because I interview well. I realize I will be a review admit, wait list, Gateway or Blinn Team. I'm applying on August 1, the first day the application opens, just in case.</p>
<p>My mother is an Aggie, graduated in 92, does that make a difference? People have said so, but I don't really see how. I didn't actually pick A&M because of her, she's not very pushy about which school I go to. But I love the school's atmosphere, size, everything about it.</p>
<p>I've attended Aggieland Saturday, Senior Week (for seniors and juniors to come check out A&M) and recently attended the SLOT Conference, for high school juniors and seniors working on leadership skills. I wanted to be sure to show my interest in A&M starting early on. </p>
<p>What are my chances?</p>