I am currently enrolled at the Penn State University Lehigh Valley Campus in PA
I’ve spent so much time researching schools, but Villanova, Lehigh, and Lafayette are by far my top choices.
My high school GPA was absolutely heinous, landing somewhere around a 3.1 unweighted and 3.4 cumulative.
In 9th grade I was in a horrible place due to external factors going on at the time and my GPA was below a 3.0
After 9th grade I moved to PA, from NY, and started doing very well in school. I took all academic courses 10th grade, and moved up to a 3.8-4.0 weighted with all honors and AP courses for my last two years.
I took >7 honors/AP courses (no AP credits, never took any tests… sadly)
My current GPA at Penn State is will be around a 3.8-4.0 at the end of this semester (depending on finals coming up)
I would hope that the “growth” factor could somehow help my odds
Intended major: Global Interdisciplinary Studies / International Relations / International Affairs
SAT score = 1900
but i am going to take them again to reach for a 2000 (which I think I have a very good chance at)
My letters of rec. choices include (I’m not entirely sure how to measure the value of these)
History prof. (completed his graduate program @ Villanova) at Penn. State Lehigh Valley
- I will be filming a presentation I gave during his course(for official penn. state university use in class)
- Excellent personal relationship.
- Actually brought up the idea and advised me to apply to Villanova. (saying he would be very happy if he could write my
recommendation) - Conducted multiple academic presentations and projects at his request(not required) for benefit of the class and campus
- Perfect grade in his history course
Family friend and mentor
- Advised me in my choice of majors
- Intends to attempt the acquirement of an internship for me at the United Nations
- Published author, works regarded international history
- Spent the majority of his life employed at the United Nations
- Has known me since I was a child, excellent relationship
Family friend and mentor
- Retired head of arts department at Virginia Tech.
- Mentored me in the fine arts (heavily into the arts my entire life)
- Was my father’s professor in college. (close family friend, excellent relationship)
- Published author, works regarding the creation and collection of art
Interests/Extra Curricular/Skills/Traits
- I've been heavily interested in the arts my whole life, though its a passionate hobby and I have no awards/recognitions to shower for it
- I travel 2-3 times a year (internationally) and this I would have to consider this my primary "extra curricular"
- I've traveled to China over 40 times in my life
- I volunteered 60 hours at a local organization for underprivileged children in PA
- I volunteered four months, over two summers, at a kindergarten in Shanghai, China
- I have experience volunteering at a local museum in PA
- I have work experience as a part time photographer in NYC @ an auction house
- I've done a lot of traveling, especially into rural areas (Xinjiang, Cambodia, and many…many others i won't bore you with)
- I speak a moderate level of Chinese
- I speak a moderate level of French
- I am half Chinese and half Caucasian
On a side note, I am not applying until the coming SPRING semester
During the summer I am looking to take on summer courses, as well as an internship
Also, if the odds aren’t in my favor, would another semester (FALL) here at Penn State with a 3.8-4.0 GPA possibly make the difference?
Thanks in advance for any, and all, responses! 