Chances at G-Town?!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone! First time using this website, and I'm really excited to hear all you guy's opinions!
So basically I'm planning on majoring in International Relations or Political Science. I've known I wanted to go into this field since pretty much forever.</p>

<p>I'm a high school junior at a Florida high school. I'm in the IB program here, and surviving.
This year I'm taking AP English & Comp., IB Spanish 4, AP U.S. History, IB Chemistry 3, AP Biology, and IB Pre-Calculus
I got a 5 on the AP Euro History exam last year, expecting the same this year in APUSH and AP English. Not so sure about Bio though!</p>

<p>Stats:
Weighted GPA: 4.21
Unweighted GPA: 3.72
SAT: Math-530 (low I know, math hates me) CR-640, Writing-670
I'm planning on taking it again next year as a senior in October
SAT Subject tests: Taking them in June!
ACT: Haven't taken it yet
ECs: Varsity Basketball, JSA club (VP), Model U.N., Trying to get an internship set up for the summer, Volunteer at a soup kitchen, Babysitting (does this count?), Volunteer at school sports functions (fundraisers, stuff like that)</p>

<p>As of now the college list:
Georgetown
GWU
Duke
Howard
University of Florida
UNC at Chapel Hill
UPenn</p>

<p>If you have any more suggestions let me know please!
I think I'm in need of some safeties!!</p>

<p>So...opinions on my chances, what I need to do to boost the SAT scores, how bad are the EC's looking? They're a little slim, I know.</p>

<p>Also, if it makes any difference I'm African American. I've heard rumors that minorities have an advantage??</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>I don’t know about chances, but definitely take the ACT. I find the math to be a bit more complex and less reasoning based, and as such, I did better overall on the ACT than in comparison to the SAT. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Another huge Georgetown fan here (I had to chime in as a fellow JSA member/political nerd :))! Your course-load looks great and your GPA decent (try to up your UW a bit if possible by the end of the year?), but as of right now your SATs might keep you out of Georgetown (they look good for your other schools though, except maybe Penn and Duke). I agree with Unoriginal that you might be better off focusing on the ACT. If possible try registering for the June one so you can see how it compares to your SAT I, and then retake whichever one’s better next fall.</p>

<p>Study hard for those SAT IIs—Georgetown requires three, and you could probably do really well on US History, Spanish, and maybe Bio or Chem. I’m sure on your apps your passion for politics will shine through; emphasize JSA (I’m VP too haha) and MUN and you’ll definitely have a great shot at all your schools. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I’ve heard that the ACT is easier in general. If that’s really the case then I need to sign up for it really soon! Cause the SATs kicked my butt! :slight_smile:
Thanks!</p>

5

<p>jamiroquai: Fellow JSAer! :slight_smile: Thanks for all the input. Yeah I’m working on those SAT scores, most likely going to end up taking them again in October. Is that kind of a negative if applying EA? Admissions would have to wait for my scores right? And yeah, Subject tests in June! Right now I’m thinking about U.S. History, Literature, and Bio. I’m staying away from the Math II, it’s gonna kill me, no lie. Is the SAT Spanish generally similar to the AP test? Thanks for the reply! You’re keeping me positive! ;)</p>

6

<p>get those scores up- you’re a junior and you definitely still have time! your GPA is pretty good, although it might be a little on the low side for the top tier places you listed…anyways here’s my opinions:</p>

<p>Georgetown: reach, maybe a pretty good chance if you can get those scores up
GWU- low reach
Duke- reach
Howard- good shot
University of Florida- good shot
UNC at Chapel Hill- low reach
UPenn- high reach</p>

<p>As for safeties…I think UF and FSU, if you don’t mind staying instate :P</p>