HS Sophomore...chances at NYU Stern?

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>Ok so I am a sophomore planning on doing either mathematics with a view into economics or business at a hardcore school like uPenn Wharton or NYU Stern (I like Stern better).</p>

<p>Since I am a sophomore, I know my transcript is not complete but I will write basic info here and post a link to more detailed stuff.</p>

<p>Weighted GPA - 4.2
Rank 5-10 out of 300
Taking all honors with AP Calculus AB (taking BC test in May)</p>

<p>0 Volunteer hours :(, excluding several charity drives
work at Kumon Learning Center as tutor 6-8hr a week.</p>

<p>Soccer JV and Tennis JV, can probably get them to Varsity by Senior year</p>

<p>Plethora of extracurriculars : Richard</a> Liu Resume Middle School Sports: Tennis</p>

<p>what should I do to maximize my chances, especially for ED?</p>

<p>Thanks,
Richard Liu</p>

2

<p>Richard,</p>

<p>Your resume and ECs actually look good for a sophomore, especially your involvement in math leagues and competitions. you have been consistent with your math and music involvement, with some science and community, school events thrown in. There is actually no need to under-estimate your paid experiences. those can be as valid if not more so than volunteer experiences. Some students have to help out with family finances or they are expected to make money and learn to budget for their own needs.</p>

<p>You have a head start with the advanced math classes, like Cal AB and you are taking the AP Calc BC exam in May, is that right? That is very good for a sophomore. especially if you can get a high 4 or 5 on the AP exam. It appears Stern likes students with high math scores, either grade wise, level of math classes taken, standardized scores achieved via SATs, ACTs, and AP exams.</p>

<p>A question I have, your weighted gap is rather low, 3.2, yet your ranking is up there in your class. Do you attend a very competitive and demanding school?</p>

<p>If that is the case, you might very well be a good fit for Stern, especially if you can now focus on getting as strong grades as possible and studying as much as you can to get top standardized test scores, in all the different sections, say, of the SAT I and II, or ACT.</p>

<p>You are also thinking about ED, which means there is a smaller pool and greater probability of being accepted. Work on your test scores, GPA, and write a decent essay.</p>

<p>Unless the GPA is not as solid as it would appear from your rank, you should be on track. Your guidance counselor should comment on the difficulty of your school, if it is not common knowledge to NYU, though I suspect if it is a strong high school in the NE, NYU should know of it’s reputation.</p>

<p>GLTY. Your profile and record appear good to me, from what I can interpret.</p>

3

<p>Sorry, I misread your GPA (weighted) as 3.2. Oops, it is 4.2, which is why your rank is high. Will you be able to take more APs, if they are offered in the junior and senior years? If you have to be early in your academic achievement, it is good that it is in Math, that is AP Calc AB. curious hownis it that you are taking the BC exam, if you are taking AB? Are you self- studying?</p>

4

<p>Thanks a bunch for your response, evolving. Really appreciate it.</p>

<p>To clarify, yes I am self-studying for the BC test and will talk it over with my counselor, but he should have no problem since many people take this route.</p>

<p>I shall take more AP’s in my junior and senior year (about 4 in each year) . However, sine Stern is a business school and I am very fond of business and want to take business classes, I may have to drop Physics Honors and therefore be ineligible for AP Physics. How badly will this affect my chances of getting into UPENN, NYU, etc?</p>

5

<p>also, I guess i forgot to include</p>

<p>ethnicity - asian, chinese
gender M</p>

<p>SATII’s
Math IIx - 800
Bio E - 700</p>

6

<p>Richard,</p>

<p>You have excellent SAT II scores. Please check on what Stern requires in terms of standardized scores. NYU changed policies so you do not have to take all the standardized tests like before. Here is the info from NYU Undergrad Admissions:</p>

<p>"NYU has changed its policies on standardized tests to provide applicants with more flexibility to demonstrate their talents and mastery of subject matter. So long as they comply with the minimum requirements specified here, an applicant should feel comfortable presenting material which presents him or her in the best light. No preferential treatment is given to any one of the following standardized test options in our admission process. Applicants for admission to NYU’s New York City campus are required to submit one of the following:</p>

<p>The SAT Reasoning Test or;
The ACT (with Writing Test) or;
Three SAT Subject Test scores (one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one non-language test of the student’s choice) or;
Three AP exam scores earned prior to senior year (one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one non-language of the student’s choice)
Note: Applicants to the Stern School of Business who choose to submit SAT Subject Tests or AP Exam scores must provide a score from a mathematics examination.</p>

<p>Students who can demonstrate evidence of an extraordinary accomplishment outside of normal classroom or scholastic activity, such as a major publication in a national or international journal, a published book, a film or other outstanding visual or performing artistic accomplishment, a scientific or other remarkable discovery, winning a national competition, or the equivalent can substitute that accomplishment for one SAT Subject test or one AP Exam if approved by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in New York City."</p>

<p>It appears that you need only submit one more SAT II score in the humanities or in literature to fulfill the standardized testing requirements. So focus on getting at least a 700 on your third SAT II test.</p>

<p>Moreover, you should write the best essay you can, to portray who you are as a person and individual and what you can bring to the community at STERN, perhaps highlighting one or more of the more meaningful activities you have been involved in, as well as making it clear why you are so focused on business as a profession (what drives you and your motivation). Make sure to get the best recommendation letters you can. And then I would say you have a solid chance of being considered.</p>

<p>In another thread here, it was noted that around 60+% of students at Stern are Asians. So you are in the racial/ ethnic group that is favored more than other groups, probably because of the higher math and other test scores. Stern considers test scores and GPA, etc. more than other schools in NYU. So you have the advantage of fitting the “profile” of the most selected group. However, you need to make yourself stand out just a little bit because the group is one that tends to do well in grades, advanced course work, and standardized tests. So, that is why it is particularly important to focus on your essay and interweaving of your ECs (the more meaningful ones) into the writing, as well as who you are as a person and what your motivations/ aspirations are. Have your recommenders support your strengths and uniqueness as an applicant.</p>

<p>In terms of not taking Honors Physics and subsequently no AP Physics, your reason for doing so should not handicap you for application into Stern, because you are forgoing the Physics to concentrate on business which is your real “love and interest.” It just shows you are a good fit for a business program like Stern. You have proven that you can do well with science by achieving the 700 in Biology E. But do focus on doing as well as you can on your third and perhaps most difficult SAT II (humanities or literature). Then your scores will be uniformly strong and that is a big factor for Stern.</p>

<p>The good thing is you have an early start in solid ECs, paid work, standardized scores and math classes. You actually have the luxury of refining or putting more effort/ time into the portions of the application that you may not have started, e.g., essays, finding the best recommenders you can. Also, make sure you keep your grades and rank up as you start the more advanced level AP classes.</p>

<p>You seem to be a very solid candidate who actually has a head start in the NYU Stern application process. I wish you the best and I believe with your early preparation and love of business, it would not be surprising to have you come back in a couple of years to let us know you have been accepted at Stern or even Wharton (sorry I am not familiar with the latter’s admissions process what UPenn considers as more important).</p>

7

<p>Richard,</p>

<p>You have excellent SAT II scores. Please check on what Stern requires in terms of standardized scores. NYU changed policies so you do not have to take all the standardized tests like before. Here is the info from NYU Undergrad Admissions:</p>

<p>"NYU has changed its policies on standardized tests to provide applicants with more flexibility to demonstrate their talents and mastery of subject matter. So long as they comply with the minimum requirements specified here, an applicant should feel comfortable presenting material which presents him or her in the best light. No preferential treatment is given to any one of the following standardized test options in our admission process. Applicants for admission to NYU’s New York City campus are required to submit one of the following:</p>

<p>The SAT Reasoning Test or;
The ACT (with Writing Test) or;
Three SAT Subject Test scores (one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one non-language test of the student’s choice) or;
Three AP exam scores earned prior to senior year (one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one non-language of the student’s choice)
Note: Applicants to the Stern School of Business who choose to submit SAT Subject Tests or AP Exam scores must provide a score from a mathematics examination.</p>

<p>Students who can demonstrate evidence of an extraordinary accomplishment outside of normal classroom or scholastic activity, such as a major publication in a national or international journal, a published book, a film or other outstanding visual or performing artistic accomplishment, a scientific or other remarkable discovery, winning a national competition, or the equivalent can substitute that accomplishment for one SAT Subject test or one AP Exam if approved by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in New York City."</p>

<p>It appears that you need only submit one more SAT II score in the humanities or in literature to fulfill the standardized testing requirements. So focus on getting at least a 700 on your third SAT II test.</p>

<p>Moreover, you should write the best essay you can, to portray who you are as a person and individual and what you can bring to the community at STERN, perhaps highlighting one or more of the more meaningful activities you have been involved in, as well as making it clear why you are so focused on business as a profession (what drives you and your motivation). Make sure to get the best recommendation letters you can. And then I would say you have a solid chance of being considered and accepted.</p>

<p>In another thread here, it was noted that around 60+% of students at Stern are Asians. So you are in the racial/ ethnic group that is favored more than other groups, probably because of the higher math and other test scores. Stern considers test scores and GPA, etc. more than other schools in NYU. So you have the advantage of fitting the “profile” of the most selected group. However, you need to make yourself stand out just a little bit because the group is one that tends to do well in grades, advanced course work, and standardized tests. So, that is why it is particularly important to focus on your essay and interweaving of your ECs (the more meaningful ones) into the writing, as well as who you are as a person and what your motivations/ aspirations are. Have your recommenders support your strengths and uniqueness as an applicant.</p>

<p>In terms of not taking Honors Physics and subsequently no AP Physics, your reason for doing so should not handicap you for application into Stern, because you are forgoing the Physics to concentrate on business which is your real “love and interest.” It just shows you are a good fit for a business program like Stern. You have proven that you can do well with science by achieving the 700 in Biology E. But do focus on doing as well as you can on your third and perhaps most difficult SAT II exam (humanities or literature), if you are not as strong in the humanities and English. Then your scores will be uniformly strong and that is a big factor for Stern.</p>

<p>The good thing is you have an early start in solid ECs, paid work, standardized scores and math classes. You actually have the luxury of refining or putting more effort/ time into the portions of the application that you may not have started, e.g., essays, finding the best recommenders you can, preparing for just one more SATII exam. Also, make sure you keep your grades and rank up as you start the more advanced level AP classes in your junior and senior years.</p>

<p>You seem to be a very solid candidate who actually has a head start in the NYU Stern application process. I wish you the best and I believe with your early preparation and love of business, it would not be surprising to have you come back in a couple of years to let us know you have been accepted at Stern or even Wharton (sorry I am not familiar with the latter’s admissions process and what UPenn considers as more important in acceptance to its business program).</p>

8

<p>Sorry, duplicate post, but there are corrections in the second of the two almost identical posts, so read the second post, #7.</p>