Getting into NYU

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I have a 3.96/4.0 unweighted GPA and a 2070 SAT, with 730 W, 690 M, 650 CR. I just retook the SAT though and have hopefully scored 2200+, though. I want to go there for political science or international relations, but I haven’t decided because I’m a junior in high school.

So far I have taken all honors and AP courses (aside from extracurriculars that are only offered at the CP level) except for one CP Western Civilization class that was my only option, simply because I came into school in the middle of the year and the honors class teacher said that she didn’t think I’d be able to catch up.

I am in Model UN, QuizBowl, Drama, Spanish Club, Civil Rights Team, and Student Council, and hopefully I’ll be starting a charity garden in the spring.

Do you think this is enough to get me into NYU?

(Also, while we’re at this, my safety schools are Boston University, Rutgers University, and American University. My reach schools are Georgetown and Columbia, but I am pretty certain I won’t get into those. Do you think I have any chance with those?)

2

Bump.

3

I think your stats are pretty good. For NYU, at least, you should be a competitive applicant so long as you’re not applying to Stern. Your EC’s show concentrated focus and moderate depth, which shows that you know what you want to do. I think you shouldn’t have too many issues with BU or NYU.

If you get good subject test grades for Georgetown (750~), I think you’ll be able to overcome your meh SAT score as well.

Also, remember, that no one can give you a good chance of your admission but the officers themselves. Don’t let what people say here discourage you.

Also, you said you just retook the SAT. First, if you did score 2200+, I think you’d make a good applicant for Columbia and Georgetown. Secondly, haven’t all October SAT results come out yet?

4

Hey! Yeah, I posted this before they came out. I ended up only scoring ten points higher in my composite (now a measly 2080), because I stayed the same in CR, decreased in Writing, and increased in Math. I now have a 650 CR, 690 Writing, and 740 Math, but my super score is 2120. I know now that Columbia and Georgetown are huge reaches, but that’s okay. NYU has been my first choice for a long time, anyway.

I forgot to include that, though I don’t have my class rank because I’ve just transferred schools at the beginning of this year, my GPA more than likely puts me in the top three students in my class. My advisor has said that I’m probably number 1, but won’t get recognition as valedictorian because I haven’t attended the school for 3+ years. Sucks, but at least it shows that I score in the top percentile.

Thoughts?

5

Pretty much what I said before. Are you taking any IB or AP classes? Have you really pushed yourself? In the end, your SAT right now WILL get you through the first door, there’s no question about that. But, because of your SAT, you’re running the race with a bad leg. If you can overcome that in your essays and your HS workload, and come across as a student that always pushing herself, I don’t think you’ll have any issues.

I know people who got into Columbia with 2010 SAT scores and these were internationals. In the end, it comes down to how eloquently you can show yourself in your essays. Also, what the hell are you doing! Go and relax, it’s your junior year. Don’t get all hung up on college now and burn yourself out.

Also, if you get the chance, try to take the SAT again. NYU allows you to superscore, but either way, three SAT attempts will not kill you. As of now, you’ll make it into the academically qualified pool (which over 50% do), but escaping the “Essays and ECs” purge will be tough if you don’t come across amazing.

Also, if you have the time, chance me back: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18900587#Comment_18900587

6

@marvelqueen
I think you have a good chance at NYU, Above average sat and GPA are very good. Columbia would be a reach but certainly not impossible. Georgetown would be tough. Your strongest section was writing, which georgetown doesn’t consider so your SAT would be below average for Georgetown. However if you took the ACT and improved your SAT you could have a good chance there. Also, do well in junior and senior year and you should be fine. Good luck

7

Yeah, I’m taking AP US History and plan on taking AP Lit and AP Microeconomics next semester. I’m also self-studying AP Human Geography. I’m pretty into the whole International Law/International Relations spectrum, which might be kind of competitive but I have high hopes. I’m going to see about taking the SAT II’s for Literature, World History, Mathematics 1, and US History. Probably not all, but a couple.

I actually have had three SATs already, my first SAT scores were 630 M 630 CR and 650 W. I took that one in March, then the second in June, and the third in October. I might take them one more time when the new SAT is administered, but I’m not sure. What do you think?

Oh, and just for more description as to the classes I’ve taken:

Math: Honors Algebra I, Geometry online, Honors Algebra II, and Honors Precalculus

Social Studies: Comparative Religion (only offered at CP level), CP Western Civilization, AP US History, self-studied AP Human Geography. - -AP Microeconomics next year. Then Honors International Relations and Contemporary Global Issues (only offered at CP level, but will more than likely be credited as an Honors course)

Science: Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Human Physiology, and Honors Physics either next semester or next year.

English: Honors English I, II, and III- Planning on AP Lit Senior year.

Foreign Language: Honors Spanish I, II, III, and IV- possibly AP later on.

Arts: Drama for two years, Guitar and Piano.

8

@honorroll123 My highest section is now Math, with 740, so my combined CR and Math score is 1390. My superstore for all three sections is 2120. Does that change my chances at all?

9

Again, the thing colleges will love about you is that you’ve shown concentrated focus in your intended major throughout High School. Not to mention that, if my assessment of honors classes is right, you really have pushed yourself to your limits academically with your classes and your 3.96 GPA.

However, the one class I would really push you to take is calculus. Really, any calculus course will be a big equalizer on your admission forms. Mainly because there are a lot of kids who take calculus out there. Now, onto your SAT, if you’re hoping to get into NYU and no higher school, do not take it again. Your SAT is better than their average score, and you should have no problem being competitive with that score. A 2120 superscored is great for NYU.

However, if you really, really want to aim for Georgetown or Columbia, think of retaking the SAT. Right now, your SAT might let you into the “academically qualified” pool, but your essays better be amazing enough to make (insert famous writer) jealous to get you in. The person who I spoke of earlier had 110 less points than you on the SAT, and his EC’s weren’t great but, he made them seem incredible in his essays.

Using the admissions calculator available here (http://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/NYU-SAT-scores-GPA), you have over a 60% chance for being admitted into NYU. Those are stellar odds.

10

@Ahmad12345 Thank you so much for helping me out here. I know I’m kind of jumping into it early, but I’ve always been pretty preoccupied with college and I’m a firm believer that it’s never too early to think about my future. Call me uptight or whatever, but I’m pretty good at sticking to my principles.

I was thinking about taking calculus this year, it’s just a little bit intimidating. I might take it next year if it fits into my schedule and it doesn’t seem like too big a course load. I’d consider myself a pretty decent essay-writer, and I think I’ve got some good resources at school if I need help, so hopefully my application essays and my ECs are good enough to help me out.

Thank you so, so much, seriously. I feel like I just needed an unbiased opinion about my chances. It’s really appreciated. Best of luck in your applications.

11

While you have a good chance of getting into BU, I wouldn’t label it as a safety per se. More like a match. I got a 35 on the ACT and have a 4.0 UW GPA and I’m still freaking out about not getting into BU although that may just be because I’m a complete weirdo who likes to overthink everything.

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@marvelqueen
Yes I think Georgetown is definitely more possible as is columbia. I’d say that the SAT definitely improved your chances.

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@emilyskates , it’s probably because of the fact that BU knew there was no way in hell that you were going to attend. I’m fairly certain they realized that you were applying as a safety, and instead of giving you a seat they could only pray for you to accept, I think they just decided to reject you.

14

@emilyskates yeah, sometimes, like @Ahmad12345 mentioned, the school will waitlist or reject you because you’re overqualified. But don’t worry too much about it, I guarantee you’ll get in to one of your choices, especially if you applied ED or EA to BU. That way they know they’re not just a safety. It’s definitely a safety for me, though.