Chances GWU ED 2021

High School(prep school): 3.65 (W)
I am going test optional (ACT 26)

APS:
Junior: US History
This year: AP US GOV, AP COMP GOV, AP Environmental

EC: Model UN(president), Boy Scouts(Eagle candidate, former SPL), Debate, Asian Culture Club(VP), High School Service team (2 service trips in the past two summers)
Work Experience: Pharmacy Tech
Sports: XC

Undecided to the Elliott School for primary school
Political Science to college of arts and sciences as secondary school

I applied Early Decision.

Thanks, I appreciate any feedback.

@tomcawl
It is going to be tough, unless your essay stands out and you make your ECs stand out. ED is for the candidates with high test scores and GPA that the University wants to retain, so in some ways applying ED may work against a candidate if they are competing with much higher test score students. This ends up being a deferral to RD or denial, So going RD may be a better choice. Again no one can predict what is going to happen.

^ I think @tomcawl has already applied ED so he/she can’t change now. The Elliott School is a tough admit as in the RD pool lots of kids who are also applying to G’town’s SFS apply to GWU as a back-up plan. Therefore, ED for the Elliott School is a good strategy, although it is likely that you may end up in CAS as a Poly Sci major which is still a very good outcome.

I agree with @tamtiger that your probability of acceptance is below average. However, your “total package” could be completely different on the Common App vice what you’ve written here.

For example: how many hours have you worked as a pharm tech? I feel like working a lot of hours through HS can make your ECs more impressive. Plus, you were trying to better yourself (heck, maybe you were working to support your family, which would also be a plus on an app)

Also, are you a minority? Considering you listed ‘Asian Culture Club,’ I’d assume yes. I assume this is also a positive factor for you as I know GW prides itself on the diversity of its student body. I can’t say, though, how much it helps.

With all that said, I wouldn’t totally write-off any chance at getting in. I think you have a stronger chance at poli sci, but who knows. I think it will ultimately come down to your essay and how well you sold yourself to the Admissions panel. Good luck, and keep us posted!