Hello! I am a current high school senior in the process of working on my NYU application for the Music Business program at Steinhardt. I am filling it out to apply early decision. My only problem is I don’t know whether I should do ED I or II. I am afraid if I apply ED I my stats will fall too short, but I am also afraid that if I apply ED II, there will be more applicants that I am compared to, my first semester grades will go down, and that I won’t look as committed as a ED I applicant. NYU has been my dream school since freshmen year, and I would do anything to get in.
Here are my stats:
ACT Composite: 29
English: 34
Reading: 30
Math: 24
Science: 26
Essay: 7
I took it once before the scores above and had a higher essay score of an 8 and a higher math score of 25.
Just last week I took the September ACT and am awaiting my score but am afraid I will not improve. I had issues with the supervisor at my test center and was unable to focus how I hoped to. After taking multiple practice tests I was predicted to fall somewhere between a 30-33. Because of my bad ACT test experience, I think 29 will be my highest score if I apply ED I.
As for the SAT my score was:
Composite: 1330
Reading and Writing: 690
Math: 640
Reading: 36
Writing: 33
Math: 32
Essay: 13 (On the SAT previous to this I also got a higher score of 17)
As for my academics I have a 3.6 unweighted gpa, multiple dual-credit classes (my school doesn’t offer aps or honors), principles honor roll, multiple leadership positions, and something notable is that I attended the NYU Music Business summer program for 2 weeks this summer.
So those are roughly the stats that would be submitted if I do ED I but if I do ED II I predict I’ll get around a 32 on my ACT, my first semester grades and classes will be seen, and if my grades continue the way they are, my gpa will be higher by ED II.
Should I go ahead and hope that my current stats will get me in ED I or should I wait it out and retake my ACT and apply ED II?
I would advise you to send in all test scores that show your highest math scores, even if your cumulative score is lower. So it looks like you should send in both ACT scores. You definitely should send in your SAT score because your 640 in math is equivalent to a 27 or 28 ACT, which is much higher.
Since Music Business students take a decent number of Stern classes, they want to see strong math students who can compete well enough in Stern classes that tend to be math and analytics heavy.
Good luck!