I was rejected from Boston University’s College of Communications, my top choice school yesterday. However, in the rejection letter, it said that if I did two semesters at another college, and kept a 3.0 GPA, I would be guaranteed acceptance into the September 2016 class. However, I really don’t like that option as it stands. I applied to three schools: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metro (on a full tuition scholarship), Northeastern (rejected) and BU. I visited all three (FDU twice) and I liked FDU the least. I’m thrilled that I could receive basically a free education, but I really didn’t like the campus or the students there. As I said, BU is my first choice. So, would it be worth it to try to appeal the decision and see if I can get in the fall of 2015? I forgot to mention on my application that I’m a member of the National Society of High School Scholars – I didn’t think it was a big deal. Second, one of my teachers nominated me to the United States Achievement Academy All-American Scholar Yearbook. I don’t know what it is, but if it will help me get into BU, I’ll put it in a letter of appeal. Plus, I could tie it back into my college application essay, which was about persistence after failing to get into my high school Jazz band twice. I also have applied to a Set/Props internship at a local theatre, which if I was hired, I could put in the letter of appeal as well. A final factor is that my family is not rich, and I would probably need to receive a significant amount of financial aid in order to attend. Would I receive any if I did appeal and get accepted? Would I have better luck with financial aid if I did well in the first two semesters at another college and then applied? I felt as though my stats were up to par:
1950 SuperScored SAT, 93 GPA
2 years as a drum major
4 lead theatre roles
member of Thespian society
4 years in audition-only Chamber Choir
2 years in audition-only Jazz Band
Why not take the full scholarship at FDU for your freshman year? Be sure to work hard to earn at least a 3.0. Use the money you save by going to school for free for one year to help pay for the remaining three years at BU. And then be thankful that they offered you a spot starting sophomore year, rather than rejecting you outright. You can also apply as a transfer to Northeastern during your freshman year if you decide BU is no longer your first choice at that point.
The National Society of High School Scholars is a meaningless moneymaking venture, like Who’s Who. We threw out the packet the day it arrived. I would not mention it on any college application.
@janjmom Thanks for the response. I am trilled about the full tuition scholarship at FDU, but I wasn’t thrilled with anything else about it. I didn’t like the campus or the students there that much. I really loved the atmosphere at BU and I loved how much of an emphasis they had on their communications program.
Congrats on the full tuition scholarship at FDU! I was tempted by that offer too but, like you, was turned off by the campus/college. However, the best bet is to go to FDU, work your butt off, and then transfer guaranteed to BU. Also, your tastes might change or your chances might boost and you might be able to transfer to Northeastern too.
don’t think an appeal is worthwhile. I agree with the others, go to FDU (or another school) with the scholarship and then you can move to BU. I would contact BU and see if they have a program set up for people who come in during their sophomore year to help make it an easy transition when you come sophomore year. You can also ask BU what kind of aid you can expect if/when you transfer in. My D had two friends who did a similar thing at Cornell (were accepted for sophomore year) and it worked out well – they roomed people who transferred in , the school had a special orientation etc. and it was fine.
The two additions you’d put on your appeal letter are both meaningless – both worthy of tossing in the bin like sltxdad did. You have a clear path set up to eventually attain BU. Feel fortunate.