Chances and Areas in Need of Improvement

Colleges & Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

<p>Not sure which college to apply to, but if I want to major in Political Science, which college at Fordham University would be best?</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>Rose Hill Campus (my D will be majoring in Political Science/Prelaw there</p>

<p>and eh, go eat a coooike </p>

<p>you have stellar stats</p>

3

<p>African American? A huge plus and Fordham needs more of those.
South Carolinian? Another huge plus and Fordham needs more of those.
Taking AP courses? Great....keep it up..they will prepare you very well.</p>

<p>You will get in from what I can see. The question is where do YOU want to go and what do YOU want to do? Being a high ranking, high scoring african american you will get offers out of the woodwork and from some very prestigious schools. So the question is more about you than it is about them. What you want to do and why do you want to go there.</p>

<p>Also, its good to be proud of your accomplishments, but make sure you reserve a healthy dose of humility. Nobody likes a narcissistic braggart....even at HYP. Not saying you are, just a reminder.</p>

<p>We are in NC. I strongly support kids from the carolinas going to Fordham. Its a very special place with a unique culture and very strong reputation. </p>

<p>Fordham is big on personal integrity. In fact, they demand it of their students. If that is you, then I am certain you would be welcome there.</p>

<p>Keep up the good work. Senior year is NOT a slack year. In fact, its more stressful than Junior year.</p>

4

<p>and one more salient point:</p>

<p>You mention Governors School at COC. Congratulations! Quite an accomplishment as I know how selective that process is in the Carolinas.</p>

<p>The question I have is this: You have excellent schools in SC...Clemson, College of Charleston, Citadel, USC-Columbia, Presbyterian College, Wofford, Furman University.</p>

<p>Are you applying to any or all of those as well? What is your preference? And where does Fordham sit in the process?</p>

<p>I know, money is everything and what a school offers you could sway your decision, but you have to have "reason" to go there, because otherwise you will be unhappy if you pick a school solely for the money.</p>

<p>We looked at more than 25 schools for my D from beginning to end. Some were just looky lous and some were serious considerations and some were fleeting dream schools. But through that process you have to know what it is you want or you will be flustered and confused in short order. </p>

<p>Fordham is very special. Its very unique. My daughter, for the record declined several prestigious offers, many with scholarship money, including Furman University, which is also very special.</p>

<p>(Hint: dont EVER slam any doors. That is rude and may come back to bite you.)</p>

<p>But if Fordham is not a "fit" for you personality wise, program wise, or social life wise, then you need to know that up front. We walked away from some big ones because it wasnt the right feel. Fordham clicked for us almost immediately. It only got better as the weekend visit went on, even in the midst of that awful nor'easter...and getting absolutely soaked.</p>

<p>Its something you know in your bones when you step on campus and talk to people. Either it works or it doesnt.</p>

<p>When it came down to the wire, we had some VERY tough decisions to make and wrote some letters declining offers...many of them generous offers, that were sort of sad to write, because we knew they were great schools that really wanted my D....got letters from University Presidents in fact....putting on the ritz....but in the end, it was Fordham's ethics and ethos and the unbelievable strength of their programs and faculty.</p>

<p>For us it was the best decision. But everyone is different.</p>

<p>Again, being from SC and being African American is a HUGE plus and I know THIS Carolina family would welcome you graciously and strongly encourage you. But it has to be a fit for you.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the insightful advice! Sorry if I sounded somewhat arrogant, that was not my intention (though I've gotten that before; I'm just really worried about applying to college this fall). A friend of mine said I would be interested in Fordham University and it has been a major university on my list ever since. Yes, South Carolina does have some wonderful colleges. I am also applying to Furman University and University of South Carolina - Columbia. I am just worried about my SAT scores being too low for admission. I'm definitely looking forward to Governor's School this summer (leaving next Sunday) and I am taking "Holocaust in Film" and "American Collective Memory of World War II" since European History is one of my favorite subjects. Again, thanks for the advice everyone.</p>

6

<p>So, what kind of cookie did you eat?</p>

<p>I say that because you have great stats, etc, and sometimes you need to just relax and chill a bit</p>

<p>and cookies are yummy</p>

7

<p>i suggest study more SAT 1/ II this summer. you can really go places.</p>

8

<p>lol I know I probably worry too much. I've been pretty good at controlling my nerves through high school for the past three years but as that time draws closer I just get more nervous (especially with admission getting harder and harder every year). Thanks for you vote of confidence!</p>

9

<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>

10

<p>Do you guys think three pages is too long for a "brag sheet" (as outlined in Katherine Cohen's books)?</p>

11

<p>You definitely could go for some ivy's</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>1870 is decent. You might need to get a higher SAT for scholarships, though. For Fordham, you need to score >2250 to get a scholarship. Fordham's median 50% is about 1850 to about 2100.</p>