Desperate for opinions :)!

Applying to College
1

<p>I posted this in chances forum, not a huge response. Figured I'll try my chances here. </p>

<p>--</p>

<p>Desperate for opinions, haha - I posted two threads a few days ago in different forum sections but really only needed one, so I'm combining the info from both into this one. I really appreciate the input I get here. Also, if you want a chance back, let me know!</p>

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<p>After my dad died in my eighth grade year, I opened a business. I was a straight A student before then and learned a lot from my father, as he had a PhD in mathematics. I opened a company because my mother went into depression and I felt responsible. My company grew slowly, and I made some - low five figure range yearly - but I learned a lot. Now, in 2011, I'm a senior. I own the company still, which is a registered C Corp. I do my own taxes on the 1120, manage my technical company, build the brand, and I have established solid business credit to the point where I can secure 50-100K+ in credit lines if I need it.</p>

<p>BUT..(there's always that)</p>

<p>I have a bad GPA. It's only a 86.5 weighted, roughy, not including my now really good grades. I'm not skimping on courseload either, I'm taking two college science lab classes, AP Chem, AP Gov, and Physics. I also am taking Calculus II and planning to potentially take Differentials in my summer '12.</p>

<p>My SATs are decent, with a 2100. SATIIs are fine too, 750 math II, 700 Chem.</p>

<p>Classes I took:</p>

<p>At this time, NYU Stern is my top choice. My SAT falls in approx. their mid 50 range. My GPA is low, but I have the situation described above. I am thinking of appyling ED. I am not sure if I should apply ED to CMU instead, I like NYU more but if I have a much better chance of ED CMU then I'll go that route. Also, is ED 1 better than ED 2? I ask because if I do ED 2 my HS will show my updated senior grades.</p>

<p>Here are the AP/college level classes I have taken:</p>

<p>AP Statistics / 5 on exam
AP Comp Sci / 5 on exam
AP Chemistry / Currently Enrolled
AP US Government / Currently Enrolled
Biotechnology (highly selective, not AP, it is a dual enrollment college course that requires teacher recs, transcript, etc - I do have a letter from the professor, she worked at MIT and the letter states that we were highly selected for this program - about 5 students per school. It is basically AP Bio + rigorous lab activities)
Calculus I & Analytic Geometry (evening college class, finished with a 96.9 UW)
Calculus II & Analytic Geometry (currently enrolled - evening college class)</p>

<p>Less APs due to low GPA in freshman year..bad course</p>

<p>I have also taken the following honors classes in my school - not weighed:</p>

<p>Honors English (9th - 12th)
Honors Chemistry (11th)
Honors Biology (10th)
H Calculus (Contemporary/Economic)
Honors Earth Science
Honors US History
Honors World History
Honors European History
Honors Algebra II
Honors Physics</p>

<p>The following academic classes:</p>

<p>Academic Pre-Calc in 10th grade - I know - I did bad in 10th grade HAlgII but now I'm back in CalcII at a college
French (I-IV)</p>

<p>Electives:</p>

<p>Java programming
Visual basic programming
Flash Animation/programming AS
A couple more, can't think of them. Compsci and Stat are also electives at my school.</p>

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<p>Senior grades are currently high A's, and they're going to stay that way, or so I am trying. So far looking very good. I had a 80% GPA in 9th grade and a 3-4% improvement per year unweighted. But I am scared to apply ED1 because they won't show my first marking period final grades...or class rank. 2 AP and 1 college level weighting this year will help a lot. (The calc classes I take are not affiliated with my school, I cannot fit them into my schedule but I cannot stop taking math - so I am taking them evenings M/W)</p>

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<p>This company is my main EC. My grades have steadily gone up 1-2%. Other ECs include tennis, my other job (done for experience) which is tutoring and data entry for a franchise, and studying for my RHCE.</p>

<p>I sold the majority of my clients because my hosting business was taking upwards of 40 hours a week to manage. I'm fine now and money is no issue. I am working on developing a patent pending web application for my company.</p>

<p>How much does this help? I'm not aiming for Wharton, I have no chance with my grades. Looking at NYU Stern, CMU Tepper, Northwestern, and Emory as my "dream schools." What do you guys think?</p>

<p>Also, my essay describes the basic situation and what I learned as said in the beginning of this long post.</p>

<p>Sorry for the ramble, and thanks! Your opinions really matter!</p>

2

<p>I think there are a couple ways you could play this. First and foremost, you need a rock solid, compelling essay. This should be one of your main areas of focus (in addition to keeping your grades up). </p>

<p>Second, you’ve got a case that is interesting to schools. Plead your case. If you’ve got a list of “dream schools,” go and visit them. Stay in touch with them. Reach out in a very un-annoying way that says “I’m really interested, I’m doing the best I can to be a competitive applicant, and here’s why you should take a risk on me!” As a former admissions associate, nothing makes stories/situations like yours stand out like being able to tie a face/conversation to the applicant. Show up to all your calls/meetings/interviews on time and look your best. Practice. </p>

<p>In terms of content, be sure to highlight in a clear and concise way what you’ve described above (I state this only because your story is long and complicated- you don’t want to lose AdCom). Outline the various ways in which you’ve learned from your experiences and are working to overcome your known deficiencies in your application (college classes to make up for a crappy year of math, for example).</p>

<p>Depending on what you really want (and also depending on your financial situation) you may want to think about spending a year in state school (I’m not sure what state you’re in), then apply to transfer to Wharton or Northwestern or NYU or Emory with your stellar freshman GPA. Or, do the community college route.</p>

<p>If you do NOT want to transfer and are looking to attend for four years the best school you can get into now, I’d encourage you to think about applying ED to CMU as your GPA will be very hard to overcome. At the same time, check out the schools. Talk to adcom. They love to hear from interested (but not obnoxious, relentless or pushy) and thoughtful students.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your thoughtful input. I will be able to attend these schools on a financial side. As far as interviews, I will request them as far as I can.</p>

<p>That being said, my essay is about my love of technology from a young age (around 11) and how I took a negative situation (fathers death, mother going into severe depression) and turned it into a positive, life learning event. I go on to mention my ups and downs of my “career” but moreover the life lessons I learned with my company as a whole. I am meeting with a retired English teacher and former adcom to edit my essay as best as it can. I’m also working on my supplements, and explaining why the atmosphere of X college fits me but also what I can bring them.</p>

<p>What do you think about EDII at NYU Stern? I will have a 4.0 UW GPA this marking period that will show on my transcript, along with the tougher 4 APs and the college Calc class I’m taking. </p>

<p>Basically, my grades went from 80-84-86/87 over 3 years and a projected 95 this year, unweighted.</p>

<p>Thanks for your input :)</p>

4

<p>You have a compelling and interesting life story, a ton of initiative, excellent test results, rigorous coursework, and grades on an upward trajectory. Compared with the generic 4.0 applicant with a menu of standard high school ECs, you are a standout. If you can describe your motivation well in your essay, frankly you have the kind of overcoming-major-obstacles narrative that admissions officers simply love. </p>

<p>My only advice is not to aim too low.</p>

5

<p>Thanks a lot - I appreciate it. I think NYU Stern is a pretty high reach school for me. Any more opinions are appreciated as always.</p>

6

<p>Bump! :slight_smile: 10 char.</p>

7

<p>Bump! 10 char</p>

8

<p>Apply to stern but also apply broadly. </p>

<p>How much can you afford to pay for school. </p>

<p>NYU is lousy with aid. </p>

<p>And since you, the student, earn a deceent amount you may not qualify for much aid. </p>

<p>Do you know what your EFC is</p>

9

<p>My EFC is high. I am fine with paying the cost of NYU. It’s like 40K using the IM methodology that NYU uses.</p>

<p>I’m just looking for chances to Stern and Tepper. Very nervous :(.</p>

10

<p>Bump:( ////</p>

11

<p>To the top!</p>

12

<p>Bump:) ^^^^</p>

13

<p>Bump!(nervous).</p>

14

<p>Well, as long as you’re willing to pay for NYU, then apply.</p>

<p>Be aware that NYU doesn’t meet need so you may end up paying ALL costs.</p>

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<p>I know you like Stern, but honestly, your profile has Babson written all over it. I think that you could be very happy there. Read about it at [Babson</a> College](<a href=“http://www.babson.edu/Pages/default.aspx]Babson”>Best College For Entrepreneurship | Babson College)</p>

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<p>Hah, I want to go to a school which has a nice ranked program. I also like large cities like NYC.</p>

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<p>Look at George Washington. I didn’t have stellar stats but I had studied abroad, and got in. Best of luck!</p>

18

<p>Thanks. Really, NYU and CMU are top 10 schools. </p>

<p>The others are Wharton (no chance), MIT (same thing), and a bunch of state schools that are very hard OOS. I figured NYU and CMU are my best top 10 bets.</p>