Chances and Areas in Need of Improvement

Colleges and Universities A-Z George Washington University
1

<p>Applying to the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences</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 your chances are very good.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the reply. I visited George Washington University last November and the campus was really great and I liked the "atmosphere" of the city. We saw a few classes and had to chance to walk through the student union area. However, how much emphasis does George Washington University place on SAT over essays, extracurriular activities, leadership, GPA, etc.? I truly think I can write excellent essays I the teachers I am getting recommendations from really know me well. One is a teacher I have had for 8 classes, have held a leadership position in his organization (Scholars Symposium) for the past 3 years, and he is the director of Scholars Academy (honors program at my school). The other is my French teacher who I have had for French 3 Honors, French 4 Honors, and will have for AP French next year; I'm also president of National French Honor Society. I am just really worried that my SAT scores will make the admissions committee think I am a slack student (when the complete opposite is true).</p>

4

<p>Blazer08-I think your grades, rank and ECs will make up for slightly weak SATs. I think that if you can get at least 1200 Reading + Math scores you will have a very good shot at acceptance. Gw looks at the whole person. Make sure to show interest in specifics of GW in your essays.</p>

5

<p>You have a very good shot. The Columbian College is not too selective. Just make sure that you show a strong interest in GW, as they have a tendency to wait-list or reject those who they feel will turn them down in the end.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the replies! 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>

7

<p>My daughter included a resume sheet with her successful application.</p>

8

<p>I'm definitely going to include a "resume" sheet. I'll probably start once I get back from Governor's School and look over it to take out stuff that isn't so important. If it is three pages is that too long?</p>

9

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

<p>660 Critical Reading
600 Math
610 Writing (7 Essay)</p>

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

10

<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>