Do I even have a prayer?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

<p>I'm a junior and I would really, really like to go to Georgetown in 2012. However, I'm afraid that my credentials aren't strong enough. However, my credentials aren't "weak" because of personal choice. When I was a freshman in high school, I was diagnosed with a very serious medical condition that required numerous hospital stays, surgeries, etc. This prevented me from going to school like a "normal" teen for about two years. I worked mostly from home and basically taught myself the lessons for most of my classes. Because of numerous hospital stays and such, I wasn't able to participate in as may ECs as many of my peers. (I've seen a few posts on the forum -- you guys, your extracurricular activities are insane! How do you handle it all?!) However, I kept up straight As in all of my classes and pursued my passions in both music and writing. Here are my credentials:</p>

<p>White, Female, VA Resident</p>

<p>In top 10% of my class
GPA (weighted): 4.23
SAT: 2130 (retaking in June)
I plan to take SAT IIs and the ACT in May/June.</p>

<p>9th Grade:
Geometry - A
English Honors - A
Biology Honors - A
World History Honors - A
Health/PE (required to take) - A
Spanish - A
Journalism - A</p>

<p>10th Grade:
Algebra II - A
Pre-AP English 10 - A
Chemistry Honors - A
AP World History (only AP available in 10th gr) - A (got a 5 on the exam)
Heath 10/PE (required) - A
Spanish - A
Yearbook - A</p>

<p>During the summer before my junior year, I rediscovered my passion for music, which is why I switched my elective "path" from being geared more toward journalism to being geared toward music.</p>

<p>The year hasn't ended yet (obviously), but I plan for my grades to turn out this way. I've kept up straight-As this entire year and I don't plan on slowing down, so...</p>

<p>11th Grade:
Precalculus/Trig - A
AP Biology - A
AP English Language/Comp - A
AP U.S. History - A
Spanish - A
Guitar Ensemble - A
Music Theory - A</p>

<p>I'm taking a physics class online over the summer, and next year, I plan on taking:</p>

<p>AP English Lit
AP Art History
AP Government
AP Calculus AB
AP Spanish Language
Guitar Ensemble</p>

<p>POSSIBLY AP Physics or AP Psychology. I know that Psych will be easier than Physics, but Physics might look better on a college application...? However, I'm far more interested in psychology than I am in science.</p>

<p>I consider my ECs the "weakest" part of my application. To be honest, I've become totally intimidated my some of the ECs of my peers - especially the kids looking to get into the top schools. It seems like everyone is the president of about three different clubs, the state champion in both debate and tennis, AND a star student. However, my passion for both writing and music has manifested itself in my ECs, as you can see...</p>

<p>NHS Member (plan on running for some sort of leadership position this year)
I give free weekly guitar lessons to underprivileged children
I plan on organizing a summer camp this year for ^ those children ^
Guitar Ensemble (at school)
Last year, I was an assistant teacher at my dance studio
I've also had some of my poetry published in my school's literary magazine</p>

<p>Should I even consider applying? I feel like my ECs are so weak that I shouldn't even look at schools like Georgetown, even though I think I have the test scores/grades!</p>

2

<p>Apply :slight_smile: !!!</p>

3

<p>Yes, of course apply. With grades like that, you definitely have a shot. </p>

<p>And for future reference, even though I know you’re not trying to be, you come off annoying asking if you “have a prayer” of getting in. There is a clear, understandable reason you don’t have an overload of ECs and colleges - even Ivys…shocking! - will get that.</p>

4

<p>^ yeah, it’s annoying to ask if you have a shot when you know you have the scores/grades. ECs won’t be what gets you rejected, that is as long as you demonstrate passion in your essays and get glowing letters of recommendation. But admissions is a crap shoot so my advice to everyone - always apply (if you get rejected it’s not like you have to go around telling everyone “hey I was rejected from x,y,z”)! APPLY (and duh you knew this, that’s why you’re on CC lol).</p>

5

<p>You should definitely apply. </p>

<p>And I honestly hope you don’t use that type of attitude when you’re talking to people with worse grades. Maybe you don’t notice, but other people will.</p>

6

<p>I have learned that extracurriculars don’t really mean very much in the college process. So you stand a good choice.</p>

7

<p>Reba, your EC’s seem to indicate what makes you Reba. You’re unique, and these are the activities you are passionate about. That will come through in your apps. Consistency in pursuing your interests can be key. An app that only shows participation senior year will not carry a lot of weight.</p>

<p>EC’s are a very critical part of the application. With GT receiving 20 - 25k applications, they help you stand out. </p>

<p>Good luck</p>

8

<p>Thanks for bringing me back down to earth, guys! I totally understand how whiny I must seem. I do “have a prayer”, and I plan on applying to Georgetown in my upcoming senior year. Thank you so much.</p>

9

<p>So weird…I was almost the exact same applicant as you, but for this year. Really high GPA, 2120 SAT, somewhat weak ECs, exact same APs except US instead of Art History. I got waitlisted. If it’s any reassurance try your best to have a good interview. I had a really really good alumni interview. My interviewer and I connected really well and I think that’s why I got waitlisted instead of rejected.</p>