Chances for Whitman/Newhouse Dual Degree?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Syracuse University
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<p>Caucasian male, suburb of Buffalo NY
3.67 UW
8 AP's: Euro 3, US History 4, Language 5, others pending
All honors/AP besides electives (Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir)
13/271 public school (Top 5%)</p>

<p>SAT: 690 M, 690 CR, 650 W (1380/1600, 2030/2400)</p>

<p>Grades: Mostly A+, A, A-, a few B's and lots of C's in Math through HS (killed my GPA).</p>

<p>EC's: Jazz Ensemble (lead trumpet) 9-12, Madrigals (select singing group)10-12, School Musical (lead this year) 9-12, Wind Ensemble (one of best in NYS) 9-12, Concert Choir 10-12, Mock Trial 12, DECA 12</p>

<p>Sports: Varsity Volleyball (Captain, League Champions) 11-12, Varsity Tennis (Captain) 10-12</p>

<p>Awards: National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Academic Letter + Pin, Corporate Bowl Second Place (school academic bowl), Area All-State Chorus 11-12, Area All-State Band 11, All-County Chorus 11-12, All-County Band 9</p>

<p>Volunteer: Over 200 hours easily, volunteer at library every summer in a program called "Battle of the Books", other smaller things as well</p>

<p>Jobs: Soccer Referee 9-12 during summer, NeXt Correspondent (Teen Voice section) 11-12 for The Buffalo News (hopefully my Newhouse hook!)</p>

<p>I'm not sure if they take a set number for the dual degree program every year or just whoever would be accepted into both schools.</p>

<p>If I got into this program, I'd definitely consider it at par with my reaches (Georgetown, BC). For the record, I'm going to either get my MBA or JD after undergrad.</p>

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<p>Bump, anyone?</p>

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<p>Overall, there are a little over 100 students who are in this dual-degree program. Your only weakness is your GPA but you have many strengths. Your low math grades may hurt at Whitman which is fairly math intensive- although your SAT math score helps. Did you have an interview? That would really help.</p>

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<p>just to let you know…if you are only admitted into one of the schools (I’m assuming Newhouse given your EC’s for example) you can just decide to double during your first year…if you are just admitted to Whitman (which is an easier admit), you have to apply for the double in Newhouse…</p>

<p>also agree with twoparent: interview would really help but I think you are a very strong candidate…</p>

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<p>Thanks for the input!</p>

<p>I’m actually planning a day trip to Syracuse for sometime early next week. I plan on touring the campus and interviewing at one of the two schools at that time, possibly both if it’s a generic interview.</p>

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<p>I think that the interviews are through general admissions…since they are the ones who decide on you app…good luck though…</p>

<p>btw, make sure you check with admissions; they may suspend tours/ etc. early next week…last day of classes is the 14th</p>

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<p>I’m going to call them tomorrow afternoon. And I’ll see if you interview directly with the school or not, you’re probably right.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help!</p>

<p>One other quick question: a friend of mine is also applying to Newhouse. She has a higher UW GPA, very slightly lower rank, lower SAT’s. She said she’s putting together a portfolio. Should I put one together as well?</p>

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<p>Newhouse and Whitman both have a staff member who will talk to prospective students at their buildings, but the scheduled interview is with general admissions, who makes the decisions.
When you are there, you could ask about a portfolio. I’d be surprised if they want it (unless its for some specific major) since admissions makes the decisions.</p>

<p>Good luck with your visit.</p>

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<p>I agree with Twoparent, your extra-curriculars leapt out at me and said “this is a good candidate”. I think they read so well because your interest in music is the theme. Good job and good luck.</p>

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<p>Thanks Pea, I really love music, and I’ve literally taken as many EC’s as possible while committing to each one 100% (I’m in school from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM most days!). I talk about it in my humorous Additional Info essay.</p>

<p>Anyways, update: toured/interviewed and loved it. I thought the interview went pretty well, I emailed a thank-you to the admissions counselor afterward. She was really nice and gave me a heartfelt response, I don’t think she gets thank-you’s often.</p>

<p>Bump for more chances? Thanks!</p>

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<p>Bump, anyone?</p>

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<p>I am a freshman in the Newhouse/Whitman dual. I think you have a strong chance, and the interview would really help you.<br>
If this helps, my stats were:
GPA:4.3 (weighted)
Top 5% of my class
SAT: 1260 (M/CR)
ECs: At the end of my senior year I won an award for having the best comm service…</p>

<p>And there are about 25/30 students per class in the dual</p>

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<p>You can easily get in the dual. I’m in it now and it seems like with your resume you should be fine. And with all your APs, the dual shouldnt be that difficult to complete either.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>Thanks for the responses! :)</p>

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<p>You might have a good shot for Whitman. Your stats are ok. But as for Newhouse, nothing screams Journalism/Communications and they look highly upon that. Your CR & W scores are good but I cannot necessarily tell you your chances because I’m not sure how duals work in admissions.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the feedback. I know my EC’s haven’t been communications-focused, but there really aren’t any opportunities at my high school.</p>

<p>The tech office just launched a new TV program sort of thing, and I’m going to be an anchor. Should I put this on my application?</p>