Chances and Areas in Need of Improvement

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>Applying to College of Arts and Sciences. Also, I visited the school; does this help my chances?</p>

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

<p>GENDER: Male</p>

<p>LOCATION: South Carolina</p>

<p>MAJOR: Political Science</p>

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

<p>RANK: 3 / 337</p>

<p>SAT:
Critical Reading - 660
Math - 600
Writing - 610 (7 Essay; 63 MC)</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; distributed over $45,000 in mini-grants to district teachers and students since inception year to support service-learning and civic-engagement projects</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 (Duke University Medical Center)
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 (Instructor)
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 (Collective Memory of World War II; The Holocaust in Film)
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>IMO, you're an exceptionally strong candidate for admittance. I'd be surprised if you were rejected. Be sure to have your AP scores sent, although I don't think they're required for admission. But scores of 4 & 5 are impressive and prove the rigor of your hs AP courses and validate the excellent grades you've earned, IMO. Visting the campus/interviewing always helps, too. The school sponsors certain events for prospective students. Check the website.</p>

3

<p>Blazer08,</p>

<p>Nothing's ever certain in college admissions, but I'd say you have a great shot. In fact, like LBP, I'd be surprised if you didn't get in.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the replies! I was just unsure because I am out of state, although I here the University of Virginia is pretty big on Affirmative Action.</p>

5

<p>yes, UVA is very big on affirmative action. I mean, I knew affirmative action provided a nice boost to URMs, but the fact that one Black girl from my school, with far below average UVA stats and nothing really special about her (i.e. recruited athlete), got rejected from George Mason, waitlisted at Tech, and accepted at UVA... She might have been a legacy, I never asked. But still, even legacy status shouldn't give her that large of a boost. </p>

<p>According to this: <a href="http://www.nas.org/reports/foi/AA_at_3Us.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nas.org/reports/foi/AA_at_3Us.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>In-state Black kids who have a 3.8-4.2 GPA and a SAT score of 1151-1200 (out of 1600) were admitted 100 percent of the time in the fall of 2003. Even though you're an out-of-stater, I'd bet that your chances are very close to that, if not just as good.</p>

<p>P.S. From my junior and senior year observations, Cornell and Chapel Hill are also very big on affirmative action. Just thought I'd let you know.</p>

6

<p>You have an excellent shot at UVA. Your SAT is on the low side for an OOS applicant, but your rank/grades and URM status will open many doors for you. Good Luck.</p>

7

<p>hey your amazing EC's ,and good grades in very rigorous courses, are exactly what UVA is looking for. I say you're a good match! Take the SAT again (if you just want to be sure...) but I'd say you're in! Good luck!</p>

8

<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>

9

<p>AP scores aren't relevant in college admissions...seeing as the college wont get the scores untill after you're already accepted, but good job on your scores btw, extra classes to get out of!! But as an out of state applicant, the school really wants to see focus and drive, possibly in a specific area. You have a lot of EC's but instead of flooding your application with a ton of different activities, pick a few that are really strong and genuinely portray your interests and how you chose to spend your high school career. Good luck!</p>

10

<p>I didn't even need to read your ECs. </p>

<p>URM + great rank/gpa = in Maybe you should try and shoot higher?</p>

<p>congratz and gl in college =]</p>

11

<p>Blazer~ all's good except your SATs for an OOS. but everything else should work for you. good luck!</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
I didn't even need to read your ECs. </p>

<p>URM + great rank/gpa = in Maybe you should try and shoot higher?</p>

<p>congratz and gl in college =]

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Blasphemy! There are none higher than the University! Wrath of Jefferson upon ye! :)</p>

<p>I think you have a good shot blazer, but dont let that go to your head. Your still OOS, so you will have to work very hard on your apps regardless of GPA/SATs(which you should probably work on, IMO) and URM status. IMO, present your EC's right, don't blow your essays and your probably good.</p>

13

<p>Thanks for the replies! I'm going to start my essays as soon as the application is available online so I can have two of my teachers read them. Crossing my fingers in hopes of being accepted! :)</p>

14

<p>Blazer,
No need to wait for the application to be online to start your essays, since the questions are already available. Good luck and happy writing! :) </p>

<p><a href="http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/2008Essays.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/2008Essays.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>