<p>I want to study international relations for my undergrad
Can I get in with a 3.37 gpa unweighted?
ACT 25 but i am still going to take it again as well as the SAT
Summer abroad for two weeks with a branch of the peace corps
A running start women’s political leader’s program in D.C. that’s coincidentally held at AU
Vice president of my schools fighting hunger club
Treasurer of Club Pink which is for women’s issues worldwide
Working at a summer camp as a counslor in training
Taught English as a second language for elementary school kids in Mexico
I am volunteering at a local nonprofit organization
200+ community service hours
And I’m Mexican and Indian
I am also fluent in Spanish
This is my dream school and I’m a junior right now and planning on applying early decision, I know i have a low gpa but I want to know if I even have a chance
Thanks!</p>
<p>You sound like a really solid applicant except that ACT score needs to be brought up, you can however always apply test optional and not send your test scores. Very solid candidate, wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>What exactly is test optional? Does AU like that? I am going to keep taking the ACT untill i get at least a 28 but i am also going to take the SAT</p>
<p>Test optional is submitting your whole application but without any test scores.its fairly new so idk too much but AU says they don’t see it as a bad thing, it’s just for good students with strong ECs who maybe struggle with test taking for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Halfthesky, here are a couple of useful links. There’s information about test-optional aplications to American here:</p>
<p>[Test-Optional</a>, Undergraduate Admissions, American University](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/admissions/testoptional.cfm]Test-Optional”>http://www.american.edu/admissions/testoptional.cfm).</p>
<p>You can find information about the applicant pool, the successful applicants, and the students who actually enrolled at AU, from the 2011 admissions pool here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.american.edu/provost/oira/upload/41st-Ed-ADRB.pdf[/url]”>http://www.american.edu/provost/oira/upload/41st-Ed-ADRB.pdf</a>.</p>
<p>With that reference book, American actually makes it easier to “chance” yourself than any other college or university that I know of.</p>
<p>Thanks so much guys! So AU would rather see Test Optional than actual test scores which arent the best of the best, but arent bad either?</p>
<p>I’m not sure what the answer to that question is but I think it’s so that applicants can feel more comfortable about applying in general of that’s something that holds you back.</p>
<p>I think the answer to your question is not that the school doesn’t care about tests but will not hold it against you if you choose not to send your examination. I personally applied test optional this year so one think I would like to warn you is that test optional applications must have your application in by November 1st not January. If something is missing the school will help you after the date to complete the application though. I wish you good luck!</p>
<p>Halfthesky, here’s what I’d suggest: ask them.</p>
<p>Go to [Contact</a> Undergraduate Admissions Staff, Undergraduate Admissions, American University](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/admissions/contactadmissions.cfm]Contact”>http://www.american.edu/admissions/contactadmissions.cfm) and find the representative for your geographic area. These people want you to apply, and they want to admit applicants who want to go to American. Explain your situation, including the part where American is your dream school, and ask whether you’d look like a stronger candidate to them if you apply test-optional or with an ACT of 25.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, although many colleges and universities don’t give a hoot about an applicant’s demonstrated interest, American does. A lot. And you are clearly demonstrating interest if you contact the admissions representative and say, “This is who I am. I really want to go to American. Which of these options presents a better picture of myself?”</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone for the advice! I am going to contact the representative asap</p>