Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

<p>The people who posted their scores, activities and ranks in this forum have no worries getting into Emory. Mine is nothing compared to yours. However, I still want to give it a go and apply ED to Emory this fall, so realistically, what are my chances? </p>

<p>I'm an African American female.
State: Georgia </p>

<p>My SATs aren't the greatest in the world. I got a 530 in Math, 510 in Writing, 520 in Critical Reading, and a 22 on my ACT. I rarely do well in standardized tests, however as of now I have a 4.0 GPA (weighted) and ranked 24th in my class out of 445 students.</p>

<p>I didn't do much extra curriculer activities, but I did do Yearbook for my sophomore and junior year, (and currently this year) as Section Editor/Webmaster and came up with the covers as well as design concept for this year's yearbook, so I can mention that in the application. </p>

<p>I volunteered over 200+ hours in the hospital in the past two years. I've volunteered by tutoring elementary school kids in math, spelling, and reading in the past 2 years. I've been in the Asian Culture Club for two years as an active member and Webmaster. I've attended a Computer Science program in Kennesaw University this past summer. I can't think of anything else that I did consistently. I was in the Orchestra in 9th grade and Band in the 10th, but I'm not too sure if I should mention that. However, I've been playing the flute for 7 years, and I don't want to let that go either. Should I say I played the flute for 7 years even though I've only taken 3 semester of a music course in high school? (due to not having enough space in my schedule to fit band nor orchestra). </p>

<p>I'm in the magnet program for Mathematics and Medical Science since the start of high school, and I'm a mentor for new-coming freshmen. </p>

<p>I freelance as a "part-time job" making and coding custom website layouts, creating banners, icons, and other graphic designs. </p>

<p>I'm going to Intern for Wellstar Hospital next semester. How should I mention that in the extra-curriculer section since I haven't interned yet? </p>

<p>I've never taken an on level course except for electives. Academically, it's always been honors/AP. By the time I've graduate, I would have taken 5 AP classes: AP Analysis, AP Lit., AP Internship, AP Stats, AP Science Research and AP Bio.</p>

<p>I'm thinking of majoring in Computer Science (BS or BA) and Emory looks like a great start. However, do you think I have a chance of getting accepted? I'm sure you noticed I didn't do anything "national" or have much leadership going on.</p>

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<p>Hmm. Anyone?</p>

3

<p>Greetings Mika08,</p>

<p>Most of the above looks really good. But, your SAT scores are significantly lower than that of the applicant pool which one can assume would definitely hurt you. </p>

<p>Although your are an URM, I am not sure if that will compensate for the test scores. On the other hand, everything else looks good.</p>

<p>If I was you, I would contact Emory's Undergraduate Admissions office and speak to an advisor there who will better steer you and be able to advise you better.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the help! What is an URM by the way? (If anyone else want to chance me, please do!)</p>

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<p>URM= under represented minority</p>

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<p>You should talk with your high school counselor asap (hopfully, you will have someone good to advise you). </p>

<p>Because you are an URM, I think that if you package your application right, you may still have a chance, even if your SAT is low. The SAT is the problem. </p>

<p>Your application should show a strong focus - like you are passionate about something in particular and that Emory is the place that will help you blossom in that field. Group your activities together to show a focus. </p>

<p>Don't leave out anything. All your music involvements should be included. </p>

<p>What will you be doing at Wellstar? And what did you did as a hospital volunteer? Anything at all related to the computer?? or in the dept of public relations? </p>

<p>When I look at your accomplishments, I see a possible focus on computer/web design/ graphic design/ marketing/ business</p>

<p>I get this from 1. your freelance work (a very strong EC if you write it up well), 2. Computer Science program at Kennasaw, 3. Year book - can you make this sound as if you used your computer skills, webdesign to help with layout, etc???? 4. Your tutoring - by any chance did any of that tutoring involve helping the kids on a computer??? 5. Webmaster for Asian culture club, </p>

<p>Now, I have lumped these all together from reading what you wrote, but when I first read your post, it didn't jump out at me at all. All I saw was a list of "stuff". The idea with your application is to make it sound "like a passion/ a focus" like "this kid knows what they want to do and they are going after it". </p>

<p>I hope this helps. Contact Emory and talk with them a little too. I think they might even have a department that works with minorities (did you know that they have a medical program in the summer for high school students that focuses on minority students? Do a web search if interested). </p>

<p>Emory likes to select applicants that show a strong interest in them - visit, call, request info. </p>

<p>And, also look at some other schools - you can accomplish your dream anywhere if you are determined- don't let anyone tell you that you can't.</p>

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<p>I don't plan on retaking my SATs, so hopefully everything else will help me out in the end.
Should I include a CD of myself playing the flute? I mean, I know I haven't attended band in school, except for a year or so, but I still play whenever I can at home. I want my music to show that. Is that too much?</p>

<p>I basically helped the nurse at Wellstar. Discharge and admit patients, transfer patients from one room to the other, paperwork, answer phones, errands, etc. I didn't do anything on the computer. </p>

<p>I'm not too sure what I will be doing as an Intern aside from shadowing a doctor, so yeah. I can't be specific about that right now.</p>

<p>I do plan on building another website as a portfolio of mine that will showcase all the sites/graphics I have done for the clients, the public, and myself. But how can I write that up in my application? There's a section in the apps. where you write down all your ECs, but I mean, I don't want to write: Freelance or something to that effect. Can I include in another piece of paper where I can get more in depth with my ECs? Do they expect me to do something like that? </p>

<p>I also plan on sending them the front and back covers of this year's yearbook that I created, and any other pages that are worth sending them. </p>

<p>As far as tutoring goes, I did help them learn how to use a search engine properly, but that was it. I mainly tutored them from their school books.</p>

<p>I forgot about the academic awards. I was awarded as being one of the top ten students in my class freshmen and sophomore year. Should I mention that? My grades obviously went down a bit so I wasn't given that award junior year. </p>

<p>And about Who's Who Among American High School Student? I heard from someone that it's a joke and you shouldn't even mention that in the apps. What do you think?</p>

<p>I did show that I am interested in them though. I did the campus tour, talked to a graduate student who majored in Computer Science, talked to the head professor of the Computer Science department as well as another professor about CS, requested a DVD, called the admissions office, I think 2 or 3 times, asking them questions about tours, applications and classes and etc., go to their website, got a letter from the Office of Admissions, and I'm going to attend Sunday @ Emory on Sept. 9th, so obviously they can see that I do want to go to Emory. </p>

<p>Relistically, do I really have a chance getting accepted? I want to apply ED, but so many people are applying for the school and it seems such a waste if all I'm going to get is a rejection letter.</p>

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<p>Have you thought about Emory at Oxford? That is another option for you. After two years there, you would transfer to main campus Emory. </p>

<p>List all accomplishments, ECs on your resume. A resume can be attached to your application and submitted with it. People do this all the time and it's a great way to lump all of your "computer" work together. </p>

<p>Not sure about the CD. I've read one book that discourages sending samples of creativity because the person who receives it may not be trained to realize what they have (and may not give credit where credit is due.) For instance, an award winning high school poet shouldn't send in samples because the admission rep might not know beans about poetry and may think that the work was over-rated. </p>

<p>For the tutoring I would recommend listing something like "computer and academic tutoring" - which is true. Or something along those lines. </p>

<p>Only apply ED if you can afford to go to Emory without the aid of a scholarship or grant money. If this is the case, by all means DO apply ED because you will have a better chance of being admitted.</p>

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<p>So I don't have to list anything in the application where it asks for the ECs? Just write something like, "look at the paper attached"? </p>

<p>I called the admissions office not too long ago and they said that you were right, however I can still apply for fiancial aid and scholarships and etc., but I might not be able to get what I want. I still want to apply ED even though I can't afford to go to the school. At least in ED, I'll have a chance. I'll just collect grants and aid, and whatever I can't afford, I'll pay it off by work study (is that what you call it?) or get a job or something. I really don't want to get a loan. </p>

<p>What are your advice about the essay? I can't think of anything to write for the essay topic to be honest. </p>

<p>You still haven't answered my question about the Who's Who Among American High School Student thing. To mention or not to mention?</p>

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<p>If anyone else want to answer my questions or chance me, go right ahead. :)</p>

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<p>I don't know if I should mention Who's Who Among American High School Student as an academic award. Thoughts? Comments?</p>

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<p>rofl...</p>

<p>"AP Analysis, AP Lit., AP Internship, AP Stats, AP Science Research and AP Bio"</p>

<p>-I've never heard of AP Analysis, AP Internship, or AP Science Research...</p>

<p>unless you retake the SAT or the ACT, you have a VERY slim chance at getting into Emory</p>

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<p>Greetings Mike08,</p>

<p>Like I said before, your SAT scores are signigicantly lower then the applicant pool. If you won't retake them, your chances of admittance is slim to none.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you raise them a notch I would say you might have a chance at Oxford; and after 2 years, you would be at Emory's main campus.</p>

<p>No, don't mention Who's Who.</p>

<p>I have never heard of AP Analysis, Internetship, etc.</p>

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<p>I'm not retaking the SATs. </p>

<p>And Analysis, Internship, and etc. is a 5.0 class (it's just as challenging as an AP class) so the school recognizes it as an AP course even though technically, it's not AP.</p>

<p>:/ </p>

<p>I'm a bit confused. I heard that the people who is in charge of admissions don't really look at the SATs. I mean, they look at it, but it's not the deciding factor. If that's the case, why should I be worked up about it? Just asking.</p>

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<p>Although they may say that, your SAT is a very important gauge of how well you will do and have done. Although, sometimes this is not the case.</p>

<p>Your combined SAT is 1560, and your CR+M is 1050. A 1050/1560 is too low (if you ask me) and will definitely stick out. </p>

<p>Had you had a 1250+, I would say things would look different. As a URM, a slightly lower SAT is okay. Had you not been a URM, Emory's range begins at minimum a 1300/1950. Either way, I still think you should apply and see what happens. </p>

<p>Also, why don't you give a call to Tolton Pace, Director/Dean of Mutilcultural recruitment? Maybe he can give you better advice and help guide you. Only he and the admission staff know what SAT score, etc. will help you get a letter of admission.</p>

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<p>In 2006 approx 2400 african americans applied to Emory with a 22% admit rate (a little over 540 accepted I believe). Of those admitted, only 114 enrolled. I would imagine about 55-60% of these would be female. While your SAT I scores are a couple hundred points above the median for AA, they are probably at the lower end for those vying for spots at Emory. If you are an Atlanta native that may be a slight plus, but given the competitiveness of recent pools, I would suggest you try to improve on your test scores. It will only improve your chances. If Emory is one of your top choices, this is what I would suggest.</p>

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<p>Schools are no longer allowed to give the "AP" designation to courses that have no AP exam and College Board is cracking down on that. If you list those three classes as AP's, it would look very weird because they aren't...</p>

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<p>i knew a URM with a 1200 and ended up at harvard. LOL</p>

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<p>guess he got lucky</p>

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<p>Mika08, if you cannot afford Emory don't apply ED because if you do, then you will be stuck with your fin aid package and not be able to compare packages of other schools. If money isn't an issue, then go ahead.</p>

<p>Also, try taking the SAT once more in Nov or Dec. You seem really smart (from the AP's you took and the fact that you are in a magnet school) and I think you can bring up your SAT's to 1200 or so with some studying or retake the ACT. </p>

<p>Lastly, don't list Analysis, Internship, or Science research as AP classes; maybe you can list them as honors.</p>

<p>And Good luck! I am also an African American female applying to Emory. I hope we both get in!</p>