Chances for: BU, Clark U, NYU, Cornell!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Man... I posted this in the College Admissions board by accident. D: Woops!
Anyways, yay right board.</p>

<p>I'm a junior right now, so I obviously have neither all my grades in, nor do I have my SAT's yet (I keep putting it off for some reason or another) but I'm really gun-ho about getting into Boston University or Clark University. New York University and Cornell University are second choices, and University of Vermont is my safety. Though obviously if I don't get into BU or Clark, I've got slim chances for NYU or Cornell. My high school is obnoxiously competitive, so all my college plans are being disrupted by just how competitive my HS is. My graduating class will have 70 kids, many of whom are hyperthyroid overachievers (myself included). I don't have a realistic view of college admissions because everything is in comparison to the person next to me. I was hoping you guys would be able to ground my ideas. xD Since I'm a junior, some of this will be based on my plans for the future. I'll keep it as accurate as possible, though.</p>

<p>STATS.
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Caucasian/African American
Freshman GPA: 3.73/4.0
Sophomore GPA: 3.67/4.0
Junior GPA: (estimated) ~3.9/4.0
Total GPA: (estimated) 3.8/4.0
SAT's: (haven't taken yet but I'll give an estimate based on PSAT's) 2100 out of 2400
Plan to take US History SATII, French SATII, and MathII SATII
AP scores:
US History (2009): 4
English Language (2009): 5
English Literature (2010): 5
Macroeconomics (2010): 4
Euro History (2010): 4
Psychology (2010): 4
Biology (2010): 4
US Gov & Pol (2010): 4
Microeconomics (2011, estimated): 5</p>

<p>Rigor of High School Classes:
4 years of English, 2 at AP level, 2 at Honors level
4 years of Math, 4 at Honors level
4 years of French, Honors level not offered
4+ years of Science, including Honors Chem, AP Bio, Honors Bio, Honors Physics, Java/CAD
4 years of History, 2 at Honors level, 2 at AP level
1 year of Art, honors not offered</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Speech and Debate, 9, 10, 11, 12
Karate, 9, 10
Historic Sword Guild, 11, 12
Assistant Music Director at my church, 9, 10, 11, 12
NHS, 11, 12
Piano lessons, 9, 10, 11, 12 (8 years, technically)</p>

<p>Awards:
AP National Scholar
AP Scholar with Distinction
Scholastic Art Award
Multiple speech and debate awards</p>

<p>Community Service:
Counselor-in-Training at YMCA
Volunteer position at local museum
Volunteer position at hospital
Church mission work
Freshman: 190 hours
Sophomore: 265 hours
Junior: (estimated) 400 hours
Senior: (estimated) 200 hours
Total: (estimated) 1055 hours</p>

<p>Work experience:
Internship at local museum
Science Department Teacher's Assistant</p>

<p>That's... about it. Since my school is so small, I'm close to a lot of teachers and faculty and I have gotten great letters of recommendation in the past; it won't be problem getting good ones again, I think. As for essays, I'm a strong writer. Aside from that, I've done a ton of independent study AP exams and lots of community service. My GPA slipped a bit in sophomore year because I took 7 AP's that year, on top of 8 classes at my HS. It's certainly not the lowest GPA out there, though. </p>

<p>If it matters, I plan to double major in History and Psychology and be in the Pre-Medicine program for Clark, NYU, or Cornell.
If I get into BU though, I plan to double major in Psychology and Costume Design and MMEDIC. I've won awards before for my costuming, so I'd say my portfolio will be pretty strong. (if you guys don't know) MMEDIC is a special Med program you apply for in sophomore year of college. So obviously, my first hurdle is to get into BU then worry about getting into MMEDIC. </p>

<p>Yeah, that's about it! Thanks guys! <em>thumbs up</em></p>

2

<p>You have a good shot at all those schools because of your community service and your Ec’s which you seem passionate about but none of that matters if your grades aren’t but as of right now they’re just estimates so only time will tell.</p>

<p>and do your SAT’s as soon as possible!</p>

3

<p>I plan to take the SATs in January!
And then retake in March and June as necessary. I only plan to take it twice though. Three only if I really bomb. For my SATII’s, I was thinking of taking two in May and one in June. The Microeconomics AP is technically a retake (I got a 2 last year) so I’m not too freaked out over it and don’t mind scheduling other tests in May.</p>

<p>BU and Clark U are really into community service so I hope they’re impressed and it helps… </p>

<p>(this is kinda a bump btw ;D )</p>

4

<p>Don’t put too much weight on my opinion, because I’m just a senior in the same boat you’re leaping into :)</p>

<p>Anyway, I think you’re especially strong in your AP scores and community service–good job! I would definitely prep for your SATs, not because your scores are bad–they aren’t–it just never hurts to gain some points when you’re talking Cornell. Just keep your grades up! But you seem to be doing that. I don’t want to give you official chances because I have no idea what I’m talking about, but keep up the good work and, most importantly, <b> have fun! </b></p>

5

<p>If you haven’t taken the SAT before junior year then you really need to prepare and make it count. Take 1 SAT just to see how you do and then take another after good preparation.</p>

<p>I think NYU really values standardized tests > GPA so make sure you do well on the tests</p>

6

<p>I certainly plan to do hardcore studying. I’m used to AP-style cramming, so SAT’s will be a breeze in comparison. I’m waiting for my PSAT scores from this year to come back before I choose a specific plan of attack. Right now I plan to start doing some practice tests beginning in the next two weeks. That’s about it before I find out my specific weaknesses.</p>

7

<p>Your community service is really impressive. If you can get all the projected stuff you have, and maybe like a 2150+ on the SAT, which I’m sure you can, I’d say you have a good shot at all those schools!</p>

8

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I realize I forgot a good chunk of my EC’s…</p>

<p>French Club: 10, 11, 12
Improv Club: 10, 11, 12
Drama Society: 10, 11, 12 </p>

<p>NHS Service Ambassador (it doesn’t have a specific title, basically I go around talking with different community service organizations to get them to participate in NHS things at my school so more kids get involved in service) </p>

<p>I have a question, btw… Does it look bad if I drop down a level in classes? I know GPA is one of the first requirements to pass, so at an easier class my GPA would be higher, but if the college finds out, does it look really bad? (at my school it just transfers over, the course doesn’t come up as “incomplete” or anything)</p>