Chances/Is It Right For Me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z George Washington University
1

<p>Hello everyone, I am a rising junior in an extremely competetive private school in LI, and I am looking for some ideas about how and where to apply. I am an Israeli-American, and I am the youngest of 4 brothers and sisters (BU, Harvard, McGill). My family is a very ambitious one, and they have long pushed me towards top colleges (I have already visited a couple), but I am nervous as to whether I am good enough. For the record, it should be noted that my strongest application creds would come in interview, essay, and recs. I know I am not as flashy on paper, which worries me. I have yet to take the SAT, those those are a projection based on previous practice tests and PSAT. I would really appreciate some opinion and suggestion on adding something, improving something, etc.</p>

<p>I dont' know much of GW, except that it's big on politics and it's in DC which I like. Would I get in/Is it right for me? Also, is it a safety/middle/match/reaach for me?
I will chance back if a link is given. Thanks!!!</p>

<p>Student:</p>

<p>User Name: hopeandambition
Gender: M
Location: Long Island, NY
College Class Year: 2015
High School: Private
High School Type: sends many grads to top schools</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: low 90's (bad freshman year, rising curve)
GPA - Weighted: no AP's or Honors (classes supposed to be just as hard, though I am taking classes outside of school next year)
Class Rank: top 25% (as in 6th)
Class Size: 30</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 640 (hoping to raise that)
SAT I Critical Reading: 750
SAT I Writing: 740
SAT II U.S. History: 800
SAT II World History: 750
SAT II Spanish with Listening: 650 (hoping to raise)
(might take Hebrew)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: Head Delegate, Model UN for 4 years
Founder/Editor in Chief, Carmonreport.com (blog I have been running since 9th grade)
Piano, 11 years
School Newspaper, head political columnist</p>

<p>Leadership positions:
President of Freshman Year
President of Sophomore Year
Student Body President (youngest in school history!)
Founder/Moderator of Politics and Debate Club
HOBY Ambassador--future HOBY JC</p>

<p>Athletic Status - list sport and your level:
Varsity Soccer, 4 years--(league champions, some awards).
Varsity Baseball 4 years (awards)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
Intern, Eric Gioia for Public Advocate (NYC)
DFO, Obama campaign
Volunteer, Community Service Club (mannny hours)
Volunteer, Waldorf Choral Society
National Voice for Reason
School Ambassador</p>

<p>Honors and Awards:
Soccer and Baseball distinctions.
Otherwise school doesn't give awards until junior and senior year.</p>

<p>Location type: Urban
Size: Medium (5,000 - 10,000), Large (10,000 - 18,000), Very Large (Over 18,000)</p>

<p>Area: East Coast
Importance of cost: Secondary </p>

<p>EDIT: I should also mention that I am almost tri-lingual.
(spanish, hebrew, english).
I have also extensively traveled around the world.
Thanks in advance!!</p>

2

<p>Sounds good! I’d certainly ask in another year, as then you can be more certain. Good luck! =)</p>

3

<p>I’d say GWU is match with those scores and extracurriculars, although if you increase those scores it could be potentially be a safety. It might depend on what school you’re interested in too…</p>

<p>I got into the School of Business, which may be easier to get into, with a 3.5, 1950, couple of mediocre recs and ec’s.</p>

<p>The major thing that will help you is just showing GW that you wanna go there, by emphasizing your passion for the school in your “Why GW?” essay. Also, try to schedule some visits/tours there, schools (in general) will know which students have actually visited the campus and its good if the school thinks you’ll enroll if you get in. </p>

<p>And if you’re 100% deadset on going to GWU, then apply ED 1 or ED 2. GW gets 50% of its freshman applicants through the ED’s and they get first pick for housing (>.>). Although your stats are more than fine for RD, its still an option.</p>

<p>As far as “Is it right for you?”… can’t say that I am any help, since it’ll be my first time being at GWU for the fall semester. It seems like you have a passion for politics (as I’ve glimpsed from your blog), and from what I’ve heard… GWU is a good place for it. </p>

<p>Some other random bits of information:
GWU is maddddddd expensive. Upwards of 55,000$ per year.
GWU has a fixed tuition plan, so the price of schooling never changes from year to year (this is good).
GWU gives the highest (I’m almost positive) need based aid in the country, so if you come from a poor socioeconomic background, you pretty much get a full ride ( I have to pay 100$ per year for GWU :D) But if you’re rich, which I feel like you are, then the cost might be a little much.
GWU is definately urban, but it has a very “traditional campus” that you can live on called Mount Vernon.
There are roughly 13,000 undergrads, and there is a lot of diversity…(so collegeboard tells me)
Really good political internships, being right there on Capitol Hill has its perks.
All D1 sports, if you’re into that kind of stuff. </p>

<p>Okay, I’m done. Hopefully that information was helpful… and good luck applying next year!.. (and yes, I had this much free time on my hands…)</p>

4

<p>The tuition plan means that tuition doesn’t go up; that doesn’t mean housing doesn’t go up & it can go up by alot from year to year.</p>

5

<p>thanks swl2009, very useful info.
But man that 55,000 tuition is KILLER. I’m not poor, but it’s tough times and I don’t think my parents would be crazy about paying for that.</p>

<p>And thanks for looking at the blog!</p>

6

<p>I say that you have an excellent shot at being accepted by GWU. Here is GWU’s breakdown for the cost of attendance:</p>

<p>Budget Component<br>
Books and Supplies<br>
$1,200.00
Fees<br>
$295.00
Personal Expenses<br>
$1,800.00
Room and Board<br>
$10,120.00
Tuition And Fees<br>
$41,610.00
Transportation Allowance<br>
$1,000.00</p>

<p>Total:<br>
$56,025.00</p>

<p>$56,000 is an absolute killer price for a single year of college. However, like mentioned above, their need-based aid is unparalleled. I’ll be attending for less than half the cost of a state school, essentially nothing relative to GWU’s quoted price above.</p>