Hello all,
It’s always been my dream to get into NYU, and now that I am a senior and approaching admissions, I would sincerely like to ask you all whether or not I have a shot.
Specs:
Single SAT: 1790 ( M660, W610, R520)
Combined SAT w/writing :1810 (M660, W630, R520) >>> Need to improve that reading!!! >_<
Weighted GPA: 4.2
Unweighted GPA: 3.99
No SAT II’s
Race: Egyptian (I guess you can say Arab?.. idk there aren’t many of my kind where I live LOL)
Extracurricular’s: 4 years of Soccer (1 Year of Freshman, 3 years of Varsity) 2 Years of Track (1 year varsity, 1 year JV), President of Asian American Club (2 years), Varsity Debate (1 year), about 80 hours of Volunteer.
Other Stuff: Involved with National Honor Society (NHS) for a year so far (not even sure if they have that program for 12th grade). I’m taking AP Bio, AP Lang and Comp, and AP German in 12th grade, and I am subject to get those college credits depending on how well I do on the AP exams!
The thing is, I already know for a fact that my SAT is nowhere nearly as sufficient as it needs to be for a college like NYU, which according to my research usually needs approximately a 1900 for one to have a good shot, but do you guys think that my high GPA will somehow increase my chances? I’ve always been an excellent student, and I’ve literally gotten A’s/ A+'s in all classes I’ve taken thus far (with occasional A-'s to be dead honest!). Also, should I consider taking the SAT once more as a senior, in hopes of improves it by at least 50 points, or should I just say screw it, and just accept this low SAT? Thanks!
If you already know your SAT isn’t sufficient, why wouldn’t you try to raise it? You still have a good bit of time before applications are due to study and work to raise those SATs, don’t just say screw it!
Thanks for the responses guys! I do have one question though: If I do get at least a 1900 the next time I take the test, and amazing recommendations, and I write a great essay, with my other already mentioned information, would I have a much greater chance of getting into the college? Is it absolutely impossible to get into the college with my current specs? Thanks again! ^:)^
It’s difficult to evaluate your grades without you providing a class rank. High schools have vastly different GPA scales. I think how high you need to aim on your SATs will depend largely on your class rank. If you had to estimate it, what is your class rank in terms of a percentage?
I think obviously the SAT is the biggest weakness, as others have mentioned. Chances are low that you’d get in now, but any increase will help. 2000 would be a good goal. 1900 would help over a 1790 for sure.
Just out of curiosity, though, why is NYU your dream school? I feel like NYU is a very common “dream school”. Is it the city locale, NYC in particular, or the big name? Or is there something actually NYU specific for you? Consider that NYU is one of the very tippy top most expensive schools in the nation. There are a number of respectable schools in NYC that would be cheaper.
My high school is kinda gay (although it is competitive!) and doesn’t give class ranks for some reason, but I did ask and pretty much beg my guidance counselor in private for that information, and he told me that I was in the top 10%.
I love NYU for multiple reasons; I visited the college just a month ago (and admired the atmosphere profoundly!) ; I love the people there ( which in itself is really important to me for pragmatic reasons); I love the location as you mentioned; I love the big name as well, and every time I look at the NYU icon… that symbolic and subtle torch… I simply feel compelled to admire the college for what it is, and what it stands for.
Given your solid class rank, you’ll likely need a 2000, and some stellar essays. Proposed major? If you’re applying to Stern, you’ll need closer to a 2100. Where is your high school located? For a school like NYU, geographic location can be an important factor.
My high school is located at NJ; I want to do pre-med as an undergraduate (although I’m still considering Bio), then do medicine right after! (pretty much want to be an MD one day… even though that is broad). Although I have a burning passion for NYU, can you think of other colleges in NY that I can get admitted to? Thanks!
If med school is your goal, the two most important factors will be your undergrad GPA and MCAT score. Have you considered the cost of going to school? You said NJ, so there’s perhaps a good chance you’re from an affluent famlily. But going to med school will set you back 50k per year, and if you go to NYU, you’re talking an additional 50k x 4 undergrad loans. 200k is a lot of debt to have before med school.
When you say colleges in NY, you mean NYC? If so, you’ve got great chances at the CUNY schools, and if you bump your SAT 50 points, a 50/50 at Fordham (though Fordham’s perhaps not in the borough you’re seeking).
So my questions: is money any object, or are your parents making a lot of money and willing to fully cover your school? And NY schools or just NYC schools?
Well, you are actually right about the money. NJ is filled with rich people, but surprisingly enough, my parents aren’t so affluent (I’d say middle class, and not upper!), and that in itself is another reason that would prevent me from even going to NYU, although I would still want to go anyways. I’m more concerned about the college itself to be honest, and colleges in NYC would be great, although I would love to hear other colleges that you think are a great fit for me. Thanks!
Look into the City University of New York Schools for sure. Besides NYU, Columbia, Fordham and others I won’t mention because they’re too expensive to be worth it, there aren’t really a ton of NYC options.
Because you’re in New Jersey, I’ll suggest The College of New Jersey. Have you looked there? Also, it gets a lot of criticism but Rutgers is a very good option, especially considering in-state tuition.
Thank you so much for that response! My parents want me to stay at the east, and I’ll definitely look into those colleges (especially TCNJ!). It’s actually funny that you mention Rutgers, because my brother went to New Brunswick and just finished recently with a low amount of debt (compared to what his debt would have been if he went to any out of state college) and was satisfied. I don’t really have anything against the college, but the criticism does get to me at times. Nevertheless, I’m definitely going to apply there! Thanks again!