GallatinQ's-Chance, Experience, etc?

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
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<p>I'll ask for forgiveness in advance if this post has no set point. I really just want to know all about gallatin. If you don't want to chance me or here me rant just skip to the last paragraph: the questions I really want answered are down there. </p>

<p>So, I said this in another post on here...
NYU is far more than my dream school. I really really want to get in. At first I thought I wanted to go to tisch (for television writing) but I realized that Gallatin was the right choice for me (far less restricting). </p>

<p>I'm the type of person who enjoys learning for learning's sake; not just to get a certification or a degree. I'm just now starting to get serious about my grades. I plan on getting at least a 3.8 unweighted. At first glance my grades are painfully average (I'm a rising junior), which means A's, B's, and a few C's sprinkled (sparsely :D) in there. </p>

<p>my academic profile basically looks like this:</p>

<p>African American Female
3.48 weighted (I know, weak :()
Military dependant (currently stationed in colorado)</p>

<p>Freshmen Year:
Honors English 9
Honors History 9
Physics Applications
Geometry (considered advanced)
AVID (college prep)
Cosmetology (semester)
JROTC (Semester)
P.E.</p>

<p>I got all A's and B's except for C's in Phys Apps and P.E. (its a long story. My twin sister had mono D:)</p>

<p>Sophomore Year (I switched schools [military] so I had to do a few freshmen courses for grad requirements)</p>

<p>Honors Biology
Honors English 10
Algebra 2
Spanish 1
Geography 9 (1st semester)
Social Studies 9 (2nd semester)
Library Science (1st semester)
Journalism(2nd semester)
Study Hall (1st semester)
Drawing and Painting (2nd semester)</p>

<p>I got all A's and B's first semester but second semester I finished with 2 C's in English and Algebra 2. </p>

<p>Next Year my schedule is as follows (it will probably be changed because I'm meeting with my guidance counselor in August)</p>

<p>Geology (I will probably end up doing chemistry and taking geo online)
Honors English 11
College Algebra (I'm going to do individual study and take the AP test for this)
AP American History
No classes for a period (suggestions ???)
Spanish 2
Journalism</p>

<p>I'm sort of having a hard time deciding on what classes to keep or change.Is gallatin looking for a strong foundation in Math and Science? Should I fill my empty period with another AP english or history? </p>

<p>Also my EC's:</p>

<p>I sing in my church choir as a lead(when I graduate it will have been for 3 years)
I'm in Book Club (no leadership positions are available)
I was a Varsity Cheerleader for all seasons last year, and also for one season freshmen year (I'm thinking about quiting to focus on my studies. Suggestions?)
I help produce the school newspaper (small group with selective entrance) and by senior year I will be editor in chief.
I plan on starting a writing club (of which I will be president), planning a talent show (the cogs are already in motion), and also joining forensics and debate (in the drama part).
I plan on volunteering with set production of school plays. </p>

<p>If I do all of the improvements to my grades and EC's that I mentioned above and finish the year with at least a 3.8 unweighted, what are my chances of getting in ED? </p>

<p>Also, I've takend the PSAT and the PLAN and scored far above average on each, if that's any indicator of the type of scores I'll get on my SAT and ACT. </p>

<p>Also, does anyone know of the specific admission rate of Gallatin? Are most people in Gallatin like minded? What are the interning and study abroad programs like? Also, if it doesn't look like I'm a fit for Gallatin, do you think General Studies or LSP will take me? </p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>Are you a Sophomore (rising Junior, I mean)? It’s a bit difficult to chance a Sophomore, as you still have a year to improve your GPA and have yet to take SATs or ACTs. I would recommend that you focus on keeping your grades up this year, and take a SAT and/or ACT prep class. You might look up the profile of the colleges you’re interested in on college confidential to see what kind of scores you’re aiming for. Also, take as challenging of a schedule as you can handle. NYU will want to see foreign language, a lab science (physics, chemistry, biology), math, English, and a social science. AP classes are always good.</p>

<p>That’s for academics. As for the rest: focus on ECs that mean something to you personally. Something you’re passionate about. You don’t need to do <em>everything</em> but it’s good to be deeply involved in a few things. Obtain leadership positions, and put time and effort into them.</p>

<p>Gallatin looks for highly motivated students who will be able to handle designing their own courses of study, which means that you essays and short answers on your application will be REALLY important. You don’t have to worry about that for a while if you’re a Sophomore, but when the time comes you should work hard to craft a really good essay.</p>

<p>If it makes you feel any better, I got into Gallatin with 3.3 UW GPA. :)</p>

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<p>^ Actually it does.
Thanks for your help! I was planning on focusing on writing as far as EC’s go.</p>

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<p>My son got into Gallitan with a 3.8 GPA and 30 ACT but after attending the “accepted students day” and my son’s experience at Orientation it seems that while high stats are important, they are looking for a particular type of student - self-motivated, quirky with diverse interests. They REALLY stress writing and you have to take several freshman writing courses (which are unusual and interesting) and although my son doesn’t love writing, he did write an amazing essay and answered the supplemental questions well. So when the time comes - send a lot of time on the application! Good luck.</p>

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<p>Glad to help. Good luck!</p>

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<p>@enpurpose,
would it be weird if I asked to see your son’s essay? Everybody says that for gallatin it has to be amazing, but that can be a million different things in 12 different directions lol.</p>

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<p>ashley - there is the general college essay that you send to all the schools and then the supplementals for NYU. There is a question, if I remember correctly, about why you are choosing the particular school you are applying to. You can likely find last years supplemental on line to get an idea of the question. The application says not to send any other supporting infomation but I was told by an admission counselor that for Gallitan you can expand on the reasons you are applying in a longer essay. Read Gallitan’s description of the type of student they are looking for and write an essay that clearly elaborates on how you are a match to those particular characteristics. In terms of the general essay, my sons was very personal and funny. He has always been very wise and mature but he is really small- he wrote about what it was like for him to be trapped inside a body that does not fit his personality. I think that matched the kind of unusual thoughtful kid they are looking for. He is away for the summer and I am not very computer savy so I have no idea how to find his essay - sorry!</p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

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<p>^^Thanks!
It did a lot.</p>