Chances and Areas in Need of Improvement

Colleges & Universities A-Z New York University
1

<p>Applying to the Gallatin School of Individualized Study</p>

<p>RACE: African American / Black</p>

<p>GENDER: Male</p>

<p>LOCATION: South Carolina</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8 Un-Weighted / 4.7 Weighted</p>

<p>RANK: 3 or 4 / 342</p>

<p>SAT: Took the June 2, 2007 test (maybe 1200+ math and critical reading)</p>

<p>SAT II: Taking Literature and US History in November (maybe 650+)</p>

<p>GRADES:
FRESHMAN YEAR
Algebra 1 CP - 97
French 1 CP -99
Algebra 2 Honors - 91
Physical Science Honors - 88
English 1 Honors - 98
World History Honors - 95
Honors Seminar - 99
French 2 CP - 96
Physical Education (CP) - 100
Computer Applications (CP) - 96</p>

<p>SOPHOMORE YEAR
Geometry Honors - 94
Biology 1 Honors - 90
English 2 Honors - 95
AP European History - 89
French 3 Honors - 97
Visions of the Future Seminar (Honors) - 95
Art 1 (CP) - 96
Health (CP) - 96</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR
Algebra 3 Honors - 97
Chemistry 1 Honors - 93
AP English Language & Composition - 99
AP United States History - 96
AP Art History - 97
Introduction to Philosophy Seminar (Honors) - 97
Global Issues Seminar (Honors) - 96
French 4 Honors - 97</p>

<p>SENIOR YEAR
Pre-Calculus Honors
Physics Honors
AP English Literature & Composition
AP United States Government & Politics
AP French Language & Composition
Talented & Gifted Art (Honors)
AP Studio Art
AP Human Geography
Twentieth Century Seminar (Honors)
Economics CP (could not fit AP)</p>

<p>EXTRACURRIULAR ACTIVITIES
Youth Action Council: Co-Chair / President; Finalist in the Project Ignition National Seat Belt Campaign; presented multi-media campaign at the National Youth Leadership Council's (NYLC) National Service-Learning Conference; recipient of the Best Grassroots Impact Award for working with South Carolina legislators to enact stronger seat belt safety laws; recipient of the $25,000 State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant</p>

<p>Student Government
Senate; House of Representatives; Representative-at-Large; National Association of Student Councils (NASC) Council of Excellence Award; Certificate of Excellence and Varsity Letter for 300+ Hours of Service; South Carolina Association of Student Councils (SCASC) Gold Honor Council Award; Junior Class Leadership Council Secretary; Certificate of Excellence for 200+ Hours of Service; Sophomore Class Leadership Council Secretary; Outstanding Freshman Class Service Award for 100+ Hours of Servce; South Carolina Association of Student Councils (SCASC) District Conference; School Improvement Council (SIC)</p>

<p>Scholars Symposium / Honors Forum
Senior Class Advisory Council Representative; Junior Class Advisory Council Representative; Sophomore Class Advisory Council Representative; Freshman Class Advisory Council Representative; Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>National Art Honor Society (NAHS)
Awards and Ceremony Coordinator; Scholastic Art and Writings Award Competition; South Carolina State Fair Student Art Show; Spring Visual Arts Show; Photography Club</p>

<p>National French Honor Society (NFHS)
President / Awards and Ceremony Coordinator; Darfur Advocacy Campaign (Co-Chair); Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>National Honor Society (NHS)
Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>National Senior Beta Club
Peer Mentor / Tutor</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Amnesty International USA
"Malaria No More" Campaign
STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition
Genocide Intervention Network
Andy Thomas Radio Network Teen Forum Show
National Service-Learning Partnership
Service-Learning and Civic-Engagement Collaborative Workshop
Good Neighbor Home Works Renovation Project
Winter Holidays Service Project
Board Election (Co-Manager for Gregory Branch)</p>

<p>SUMMER EXPERIENCES
The Governor's School of South Carolina at the College of Charleston
South Carolina Business Week at Presbyterian College
Clemson University Program for Academically Talented Students</p>

<p>ACADEMIC HONORS
Principal's Scholar Honor
National Ventures Scholar Program
National French Contest Level 4 Honorable Mention Award
Junior Marshal at Senior Graduation
Coker College Scholar Award
Lander University Junior Fellow Award
Newberry College Scholar Award
University of South Carolina Aiken Scholar Award
University of South Carolina Upstate Scholar Award
AP English Language & Composition Award of Excellence
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Junior English Award
South Carolina Governor's Scholar Award
Golden Palmetto Leadership & Service Merit Award
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Sophomore History Award
National History Day Certificate of Achievement
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Freshman Social Studies Award
Academic Honor Roll
Duke Univeristy Talent Identification Program Scholar
Scholars Academy / Honors School</p>

2

<p>I think you're pretty much just in...</p>

<p>Congratulations!</p>

3

<p>Thanks, a student from my school last year got admitted to Gallatin (but he was a genius...). I would really like to apply to Gallatin over CAS just because I feel I have diverse interests. Do you think a low SAT (low 1200's) would make it very difficult to be admitted to Gallatin?</p>

4

<p>Most likely not, everything else is excellent. If you are that self-conscious about them, you can definitely take them again. NYU takes the best of all raw scores.</p>

5

<p>get your sat score up to mid 1300's out of 1600 and you can get into any ivy you want being an URM in top 1% of your class.</p>

6

<p>i agree with mattistotle on the URM status.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the input! I visited NYU (Gallatin specifically) last November and, besides the independence students can experience at the school, the city itself was very vibrant at night (I even had a chance to see The Wedding Singer on Broadway, which was awesome). I'm going to try my bast to get 600+ on all three sectios of my SAT this summer and retake in October. Also, is a 650+ high enough for my SAT IIs (specifically Literature and US History)?</p>

8

<p>Also, are students encouraged or discouraged from sending a resume or "brag sheet"? I ask this because I only listed the really important accomplishments for my extracurricular activities and community service projects (some things I did not mention but want to mention on my application: I had excellenct help from two professors at the Duke University Medical Center for the Malaria campaign, there were more things I did under Amnesty International USA, and some other unique and important jobs / responsiblities under Youth Action Council, since it isn't a common activity). Even if they seem long, my extracurriular activities and community service projects certainly are not embellished but I feel they best portray by interests and ambitions (political science and service to those who are less fortunate). Any advice is appreciated!</p>

9

<p>As long as they're your best interests and things you are the most passionate about. Universities definitely hate fluff and filler in students' resumes. Definitely point out key points in leadership and such.</p>

<p>My resume was about 2 and half pages long, but I kept it to 1 page by making the margins of the page .02 and keeping the absolute necessities haha.</p>

10

<p>I have no experience in college admissions, but I do read a lot of resumes and I think it's important that your resume be coherent, and show focus and progression. Otherwise, a reader can feel overwhelmed and be unable to make sense of it all.</p>

<p>Good luck with your applications. You certainly appear to have the goods. :)</p>

11

<p>Any other advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the replies!</p>

12

<p>Update: I got my SAT scores today.</p>

<p>660 Critical Reading
600 Math
610 Writing (7 Essay; 63 Multiple Choice)</p>

<p>Does this change anything?</p>

13

<p>Even w/an 1870, I think you're chances at NYU are pretty strong. You have really good ECs, straight As, and URM status. If you could get your SAT to be closer to 2000, then I'd say you're a lock for NYU and might have a legit shot at some of the Ivies.</p>

14

<p>I know it's like beating a dead horse lol but...</p>

<p>Update in AP Scores:
European History - 3
English Language and Composition - 5
United States History - 5
Art History - 3</p>

<p>Does this change anything? Also, would just like to add stuff I forgot: Honors Scholar Honor; Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Nominee; Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor Award; Quill and Scroll Honor Society (Editory of Literary Magazine); for Youth Action Council: surveyed over 500 district students to learn about their interest and participation in a variety of community issues. Thanks for the continued help!</p>

15

<p>You're good for NYU, don't worry.</p>

16

<p>You're in.</p>

17

<p>aim higher!</p>

18

<p>(meaning you should look into other higher schools than gallatin)</p>

19

<p>Wow, thanks for the replies! I didn't think my chances seemed that great. I ultimately want to double major or major / minor in Print Journalism and Political Science. Which school do you think would be better for that: CAS or Gallatin?</p>

20

<p>I'm going to Gallatin in the fall and I was accepted with a 31 ACT and only a 3.5 GPA... My essay was excellent and I had a ton of EC's and leadership, but still. I wouldn't worry.</p>