Chances at Villanova University? (Asian, PA resident, First gen., Junior in HS)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Villanova University
1

<p>Statistics - Asian male (specifically, Korean)
PA resident
Attends a public school
First generation college student (parents immigrants from Korea)
Uncle/aunt of immediate family went to Penn; uncle also went to Univ. of Chicago (works for Johnson and Johnson as advertising medicine)</p>

<p>ACT: Taken (waiting for score; hoping at least 28)
HS cumulative GPA: 3.5 (Freshman was terrible; upwards trend since then)
-Sophomore: 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, 3.9; Honors English
-Junior (this year): 3.81, 3.86; AP Euro, AP English, Honors Spanish, Honors Chemistry
-Senior: To be determined the next year... </p>

<p>School Activities –
1. Tennis (on high school team since 9th grade; captain of JV squad in 10h; I think I'll make varsity this year)
2. Key Club (one of the officers)
3. Student Council
4. Tech Crew
5. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
6. Played ice hockey on HS team (2 years)</p>

<p>Volunteer Work –
1. Hospital Teen Volunteer (my passion lies here; I currently have ~225 hours and 450 hours is to be eligible for the scholarship that I believe is around $2,000) </p>

<p>Special Nominations and Programs -
1. Won two consecutive "Most Improved Awards" on my HS ice hockey team
2. Tennis award in sophomore year for “Most outstanding doubles player”</p>

<p>Additional Notes:
-Freshmen year wasn't so great... low GPA because of "slacking off" </p>

<p>-Interested in a business field, biology; not sure about chemistry anymore (for pharmacy)
-Diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder)
-May take duel enrollment classes next year as senior (which are after school and meet once a week; options are mandarin chinese or philosophy for me-- these gives college credits in state of PA and HS credit)
-Interested in something like what my uncle does, which is working as an advertiser for Johnson and Johnson, Inc. or business oriented; maybe Pharmacy
-Hard-working parents and are somewhat middle class citizens; although all is made from hard work towards income and not by endowment, etc (nice school, nice neighborhood, etc) </p>

<p>Concluding statement: I’ve been improving in my GPA since freshman year. Although I haven’t done very well that year, I can write about it in college essay or in an interview. I want to share my main reason to why I want to go to not just any college, but to one that is well-known and can be proud to go there. What I mean by this is that you have an identity at the school and won't be ashamed of attending there. I know everybody wants to go to a school that is highly ranked, but I'm talking through my standpoint. Many members of my family (cousins) went to top-notch schools (UPenn, Univ. of Chicago, Tufts, Penn state main, Drexel, etc) and I want to some what be a part of that legacy. Also, I want to work hard because my family has been working hard all their lives and for me, my sister (senior in HS), and younger brother. Not only do I went to make them proud that their son will be attending an excellent college. </p>

<p>P.S. - One of my friends told me two days ago that his Sunday school teacher (who graduated from Villanova University in 2008) told him that you can get into Villanova with something close to a 3.4 GPA and Asian (Koreans specifically). I'm not relying on this, but just putting it out there if anybody else can agree or disagree.
In addition, I have visited the school over the summer of 2008 with my sister. I thought the campus was rather nice.
Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Any chances?</p>

3

<p>no you wont get in</p>

4

<p>no chance at all</p>

5

<p>With your stats you would need at least a 31 or so on the ACT and a stellar junior year in regards to GPA. Even then it would be a major reach.</p>

<p>My advice is NOT to apply to business. You will DEFINITELY not get in. Apply to A&S and do an internal transfer if you want. </p>

<p>And no offense, but your concluding statement makes you sound like an arrogant prick. If you say anything with that tune on your application, you won't even get into the schools that you would be "ashamed" to attend. </p>

<p>Looks pretty dismal, but good luck anyways.</p>

6

<p>Are you guys looking past ethnicity, first generation, and the upwards trend? I have hooks and I'm certain I can write a strong essay.</p>

<p>Rather than saying, "No chance at all", etc. why not point out specific details and not do so in a 'cocky' manner?</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

7

<p>I believe it's pretty difficult to do an "internal transfer" into the business school. You would have to apply to the business school after freshman year and have a GPA over 3.5 to be eligible to do so. There is a summer program available for students who want to minor in business, but I am not sure exactly how that works.</p>

<p>Last year we were told you need something like a 3.75 HS GPA for the Business School, but it's certainly worth a try. Things have changed drastically since your friend applied to Villanova in 2004. Retake your ACTs and see if you can bring them up and keep working hard this year and next.</p>

<p>Villanova does consider all of those factors in making a decision, unfortunately they put more emphasis on your GPA and test scores. You do have diversity in your favor, but I don't know if it would be enough to compensate. Is your GPA weighted or non weighted? I think your class rank, if your school ranks, is important as well. If you are in the top 10-15% that would help you.</p>

<p>Also, at most schools you are not considered a legacy unless a parent, grandparent or sibling attended. Good luck to you!</p>

8

<p>Hi twokidsatvu,
Thanks for the in-depth explanation from your perspective. I am not applying to the business school, but I was talking about Villanova University itself. I've clarified for the reasons of my GPA. Colleges like to see an upwards trend and I have certainly been able to do that. And yes, the GPA is weighted. I will be sure to discuss the reasons for the GPA in my college essay and/or interview. I believe that I will be able to write an excellent essay that entails the many life lessons that I have learned and gone through trials with the world around me. I agree with ethnicity coming into my terms, considering that Villanova has one of the most homogeneous student body in the nation. As for the SAT/ACT, I will work on preparing.</p>

9

<p>Apply to the business school ONLY if you are sure that is absolutely what you want to do and that you're willing to give up Nova if you don't get in. Internal transfers are near-impossible once in A&S.</p>

<p>That being said, Villanova is quite a reach. Work on your test scores significantly.</p>

10

<p>nova doesnt do interviews fyi, and whats better then an upwards trend...being consistent all of hs</p>

11

<p>Easiest to transfer out of of business, engineering or nursing into A&S......hard to do it the other way.</p>

12

<p>I'm leaning more towards biology over business.</p>

13

<p>I think your misinformed in believing that asian will help at Villanova, best case it won't hurt but no way its an advantage</p>

14

<p>hr35hrn,
In no specific sentence do I proclaim that I believe that being Asian will greatly help my chances at Villanova University. I'm only listing factors that can be used to provide more details and an improve in chance.</p>

15

<p>"Are you guys looking past ethnicity..."
definitely no mention of race</p>

16

<p>The slightest of any details are what I take into account.</p>

17

<p>yea well the only details nova cares about are SAT's and GPA and both yours arent looking too hot</p>

18

<p>Cast, if you ask for our opinions, then don't complain after we give them. We are trying to be honest. If you don't like what we have to say, you should have never started the thread. There is no need to be hostile. </p>

<p>And as for ethnicity, I suggest you start looking for another hook because that will not do anything. Trust me. The fact that you are Asian does not make you more competitive nor more desirable. </p>

<p>You certainly have your work cut out for you and I would explore schools that are more of a "match." Nonetheless, good luck.</p>

19

<p>I think you have a chance, if you raise your ACT scores immensely.</p>

20

<p>dino09, his gpa is good
idk what you are talking about.
if he raises his sat, he's set</p>