<p>Hey, I’m really interested in AU, specifically their school of International Service. I want to major in International Studies. I visited not too long ago and wanted to know what you guys thought of my chances:
3.57 UW (school does not weight or rank) at a competitive Jesuit high school in Philly
26 ACT, 5 on AP US (will not submit SAT, too low)
Courses: AP Eng, AP US, AP Euro, AP Psych, AP Gov’t; will take 4 years of German, 2 yrs of Latin, and 5 yrs history, 4 yrs eng, math, religion, 3 yrs sci.
Will have great recs
Activities: Model Un (member for 4 yrs and Pres for 2 yrs), member of school drama(4 yrs), History club (3 yrs), 80 hrs. service
Awards: Honorable mention and silver medal on national latin exams, award for national german exam, NHS
Will study in Germany for a month this summer (school and homestay)</p>
<p>Just wondering what you think my chances are for admission and possibly any scholarships or any merit money at all. Thanks.</p>
<p>I think you are a good candidate. Solid school record and good EC. Since you are a junior, there is room for improvement, especially regarding your test scores. I find it interesting that you took ACT. I thought PA was SAT dominant. If you bring your ACT to 30~32 range (which is very possible, speaking from personal experience), there is definite possibility you will be admitted to Honors Program (meaning you will receive 18~25K a year). You shouldn't have much problem admitted to the University. I would focus on improving test scores and shoot for the Honors program.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. My first SAT was 1060, so i thought it was better to use the ACT. Is it realistic to bring it up four more points to 30? I took it twice and 26 is my nigh so far. Thanks.</p>
<p>I took my first ACT when I was a freshman. Then I brought it up to 28 and ultimately got 31 (8 point jump). I didn't take any prep class (just one workshop) but just tried to improve each time I took the test. So I think you can definitely expect to score over 30 if you just work over the summer. </p>
<p>My biggest advice for you regarding ACT/SAT is to go in with a indifferent attitude (don't get over anxious) and just wing it. Screw the "pre-test rituals" (going to bed earlier than usual, eating better breakfast...etc) and just chillax when you take the test. You really don't have to anything out of ordinary (that is, assuming that you don't have crazy nightlife, lol). This way you 'll really be free of the test anxiety (which had haunted me for years). Most of the time good things happen when you don't care anyway. </p>
<p>It worked for me, but I don't know you so I'm not going to guarantee anything. But if you just chill and make the most of your ability (without trying to over do it) I really believe that you can score 30+.</p>
<p>FYI American Honors Program Average Stats are:</p>
<p>ACT 32
SAT 1440 (CR+M)</p>
<p>So I got in with below average ACT and slightly above average SAT (1460).</p>
<p>As far as I know, Honors Program Admission is mostly test score based. They just pick top 10% of the admitted students and put them into Honors Program. I really do wish you the best of luck. I know it sucks to have your test scores not represent your true ability; I felt the same way for a while. But you can definitely improve if you work at it and do your best. Best wishes.</p>
<p>Affirmative action only applies to under-represented minorities. Over-represented minorities (East Asians and East Indians) get beat out even more so than Caucasians.</p>
<p>I'd love some insight, too, if anyone doesn't mind, as to what I could improve in order to get into AU and possibly the honors program..</p>
<p>I'm currently a junior at a highly competitive public high school.
GPA: 3.95 unweighted
Class Rank: currently 36/520 (top 7-ish percent?)
PSAT: 209; recently received a National Merit commendation</p>
<p>I've received all As throughout high school, save for a B in Honors Algebra II my sophomore year. This year I took AP Language & Comp. and APUSH and received As in them. By the time I graduate, I will have taken French I-V and AP. </p>
<p>Extracurriculars include marching band as a colorguard member since 9th grade (hopefully captain this year!), winterguard since 9th grade, student newspaper (I'm copy editor/junior editor-in-chief this year and have been selected as editor-in-chief for next year), Model U.N. (founding member and vice president), student council since freshman year (class representative), Beta Club (9th & 10th) and Gay-Straight Alliance. I am very involved with the Relay for Life and am a Team Captain and Student Volunteer Coordinator for that event. Also, I am on the youth events planning committee for a brand-new public library in my area. This summer I plan to get a job (!!) and volunteer at my local YMCA as the keeper of the Christian library (kind of funny, since I'm definitely agnostic, and my dad's a Jew..).</p>
<p>Sorry, this was a little exhaustive, but I'm really interested in your feedback :)</p>
<p>Actually with that GPA and a decent score, you're pretty much guaranteed in. As someone said earlier, the scholarships and the honors program are very numbers based.</p>
<p>Haha scholarship would be the keyword there..I fell in love with American when I visited, but I didn't exactly love the price tag..especially coming from NC where state schools like UNC-CH are definitely on the same level and like $10,000 cheaper..AU's tuition is pretty nice, though, for a private school!</p>
<p>Do you think sending one of my National Merit commendation letters to American would have any pull?</p>
<p>you'll most likely recieve some form of national merit aid. I got a NMCommendation on my PSATs, did a bit worse on the actual SATs and got a deans scholarship (quarter tuition)</p>
<p>According to someone who did a work-study in the admissions office, the admissions staff takes your GPA and SAT and puts it on a chart. It really doesn't matter what clubs you did. Your essay just needs to be decent to not hurt you. Keep that GPA really high and get a good standardized test score. You'll be on your way to that Prez scholarship (25K). If you get that, I'd say AU should be a very competitive school for you to consider.</p>
<p>It's too bad that it's all about the numbers..yeah, evaluating personal stuff is obviously more effort, but I think that's what's most important.</p>
<p>The NM people will send two reference letters to colleges of my choice..can't decide where to send them, though, and I don't even know if they mean anything to admissions officers..I was thinking of Carolina and AU..</p>
<p>Yeah, I got a National Merit Letter of Commendation and had to do the same thing. I didn't send one to AU, but just mentioned it on my app and got a huge scholarship. The only potential advantage I could see from sending it out specifically would be to show interest, and I don't know if counselors really consider interest at either school. Of course, it can't hurt though.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm def. hoping to find somewhere that will pay me to go there :) and has a decent print journalism program..unfortunately, I don't think I'll be a NM semi-finalist, so that rules out a few scholarships, etc...I guess I'll send the letters to AU and Chapel Hill..I think those are my top two choices, anyway, and like you said, it can't hurt. haha</p>