Chances at Fordham University?

<p>I'm a 17-year old rising senior (in the state of Virginia) who is applying to Fordham University in the Bronx NYC. It is probably my number one choice right now, although the money could be an issue if I don't receive some help. Although my guidance counselor says I should be able to get in no doubt, I still have some concerns. Also, I wonder if my stats are good enough to receive SOME merit based money.</p>

<p>PERSONAL
-White
-Coming from a family who earns enough to most likely not receive any financial aid, but not enough to pay "sticker price"
-Graduating 2014
-Plans to apply early (aka sometime this summer/fall)
-Interested in Communications Major / English / Broadcasting etc.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS
-Around a 3.7 weighted GPA
-AP CLASSES (split up by semester grade); 3 so far
AP World History : A- / B
AP US History: B- / B-
AP English Lang and Comp: B / A-
will be taking AP GOV and AP ENGLISH LIT AND COMP next year.</p>

<p>-HONORS CLASSES
-Honors English (sophomore year)
-Honors Chemistry (junior year)
-College Algebra (junior year)
-Pre-calc (sometimes called Math Analysis, junior year)
-German 3 (junior year)</p>

<p>I'm a year ahead in math, will take 4 years of German (completed 3), and have been in Honors sciences. Generally I get a mix of A's and B's. I have only had a C+ for one semester grade which was Algebra II. Math has NEVER been my specialty, but the following semester I got an A- in college algbera and then a B in Precalc/Math Analysis. I also go to a challenging private school.</p>

<p>SAT SCORES:
-Math: 520 (weakest score by far, will be getting to a tutor to get it to AT LEAST a 550 for a scholarship opportunity, but hopefully within the 600 range)
-Critical Reading: 660 (may go up but I am happy with it)
-Writing: 740 (Fordham accepts writing)
3 part score= 1,920</p>

<p>I am waiting on scores from a few SAT II Subject tests. </p>

<p>I come from a Catholic School, which may be appealing to Fordham</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR/VOLUNTEER WORK:
I have completed a lot more extracurriculars outside of school, but within school they are not TOO bad. </p>

<p>Freshman year: Varsity Tennis / Forensics Team
Sophomore year: Varsity Tennis / Inducted into NHS
Junior year: German National Honor Society / NHS / German Club</p>

<p>-I also got employed the summer after Freshman year and have received a promotion to shift manager within that job.</p>

<p>-This year I've worked with the organization Guiding Eyes for the Blind to help raise and train seeing eye dogs.</p>

<p>-The summers after Freshman and Sophomore year I volunteered at the local Children's Hospital. </p>

<p>-Other various volunteer work/projects</p>

<p>IN ADDITION, I have made my interest in Fordham very clear. I went a toured the Rose Hill campus Spring Break of my junior year. After receiving a letter about a program at Fordham called the "Inside Track", I will be returning to the University this summer to view a presentation about the application and Admissions. I showed my interest my signing up online.</p>

<p>I would say that my actual GRADES are the weakest part of my application. I'm happy with my SAT scores if my math comes up a bit, and I have taken a challenging courseload. I undoubtedly shine in anything English related, which is what I would be applying for. </p>

<p>My essay would definitely help my application rather than hurt it.</p>

<p>At this point, do you all think that I would be accepted into Fordham? I know I can view statistics and all of that but it is helpful to hear from actual people who MAY have some firsthand experience themselves. Also, do you think I would be able to receive any aid due to my SAT scores or grades? And, should I be very worried about the one C+ I got in Algebra II? </p>

<p>Sorry if any of this information is excessive, I was simply trying to be thorough. Thanks in advance for your input and honest answers!</p>

<p>Fordham: Match</p>

<p>City College isn’t an option? Or you would rather attend VCU, GMU or JMU if you failed to get into Fordham?</p>

<p>I plan on applying to VCU as a backup school within my state. I didn’t like GMU or JMU, and am hoping to go out of state into NYC for more opportunity.</p>

<p>Fordham’s a safety, easily. Trust me on that. In my school, there are kids with stats far less superior than yours, and they’ve gotten into Fordham. It’s not that they weren’t smart, it’s that you’re far smarter, and I’d be surprised if you didn’t get in.</p>

<p>I think you have a good shot, and what you have to offer is impressive and will make your application stand out, but all I can say is here was my personal experience. I applied EA, my stats were 1.) 3.7 GPA (unweighted) 2.) 1730 SAT 3.) 57/507 class rank (11%) and I was rejected. I e-mailed them, being that Fordham was my top choice, and they wrote me back very nicely saying they had a 27% increase in applications this year with a median SAT score of 2000 and median GPA of 3.8 unweighted, so their standards definitely have gone up, and aren’t comparable to what they have currently listed on naviance. Hope this helps!</p>