<p>I am probably applying to Fordham (Lincoln Center campus), George Washington, NYU Loyola Chicago, Georgetown (SFS), Eugene Lang, Franklin College Switzerland, and CUNY Hunter College (Macaulay Honors College). (Almost 100% certain of all of those, but have a couple others I might tack on). I want to double major in International Relations and Spanish (and, yes, I know that is not exactly possible at Lang). </p>
<p>I am a little worried about my extra-curriculars in particular, and I'm curious to know if anyone has specific knowledge of these schools and might be able to help me with my chances, and/or help me with anything that I should particularly emphasize on the applications. I was hoping not just for my chances of admission, but my chances of getting merit money, because that's the only way I can attend most of these! One of my concerns is that I don't have enough volunteer work. There is some, but not an exceptional amount, and I think that some of the schools I am applying to really like volunteer work. I'm open to any type of suggestions, really! I hope I haven't included too much information, but I tried to include what seemed helpful.</p>
<p>I'm a white female in North Carolina. A high school senior.</p>
<p>My GPA is a 4.0 unweighted (on a 4.0 scale), 4.88 weighted (by my school's system--I don't really understand how else to do this?), at a mediocre public high school. This puts me at 3/ ~330. I have taken all honors and AP classes when offered and fitting my schedule. The difference between myself and the first two students in the class is that my classes have been focused on foreign languages (Spanish and French) and social sciences, and they have focused on math and science, which have more advanced class offerings at my school. I have had to take some of my higher-level social sciences online, and I hope that my guidance counselor recommendation will emphasize that I have gone above and beyond the regular school curriculum to pursue my interests.</p>
<p>My superscored SATs:
Math: 700
Critical Reading: 780
Writing: 740
(Total 2220 or 1480)
(Highest single-sitting is the same except 730 on the writing)</p>
<p>AP tests and subject tests:
US History Subject Test: 770
AP US History: 4
AP World History: 5
AP US Government: 5
I am signed up for three more subject tests (World History, Spanish, and Literature), and I'm taking at least 4 more AP tests at the end of this year (Spanish language, Human Geography, Psychology, and Statistics). </p>
<p>Most important activities:
Spanish Club (9-12) Secretary/Treasurer (12)
Art Club (9-12) President (12)
Science Olympiad (7-12)
I write a popular blog about young adult books (unique, if nothing else), about 12,000 hits per month. I also write book reviews for other online publications. My reviews have been used on book press releases and on books themselves.
I have been on the nominating panels for a pretty major book award run by the book blogging community (called the Cybils) twice, one of the only teens (I know of three others) to do this.
Twice published in books by major publishing houses (a contributor, not an author by myself).
I have been employed, at various jobs, for most of high school. Right now I'm working 15-20 hours per week, plus I babysit almost every day after school.
Foreign language tutor (Spanish and French)
Attended North Carolina Governor's School in Spanish
Gov. School Newspaper Staff (Writing, editing, printing and distribution)
Volunteer with Kids Voting (precinct captain). This is an organization that encourages political education and civic participation in children. We have Kids Voting booths at different election precincts where kids can fill out a ballot & we emphasize the importance of voting.</p>
<p>Awards/Honors:
National Merit Semifinalist
National Honor Society
School prizes in French, Spanish, and Earth Science
Junior Marshall</p>
<p>My recommendations will be good individually, however my two recs are both from history teachers (as those are the yearlong AP classes that sophomores and juniors take, so these teachers know me best), and maybe one from a Spanish teacher. I do not have polished essays yet, but I expect them to be good as well. </p>
<p>I've read the thread about what to put in chances threads, and I suppose that if I have a talent, it would be as a writer. My personal qualities, as I've tried to express them in the essays I've been working on, are my curiosity, sense of adventure, willingness to try new things, passion, and creativity. I am trying to express interest in all of these schools (trying to visit when possible).</p>