I Need Advice...Please?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>During my junior year, my classes dropped a little. My plan was to maybe get into a school to mainly focus on Acting/Drama/Theatre and possibly minor in writing in order to focus on a career in those fields. I was thinking wither NYU, SUNY Purchase, Columbia U, etc. But, based on my grades I don't think I can get into them. I feel stupid because I could've tried harder and that I might have to go to an in-state college and then transfer (Georgia). </p>

<p>I have been in FBLA (9th~short though), Softball (10th), Latin Club (10th), High School Play (11th~was one of the leads and went to a competition and won best technical performance [as a whole])</p>

<p>I am currently a senior and my classes aren't that rigorous and my counselor won't let me change them again (1st time I changed it I wanted another science and my theatre class was conflicting with another class). I want to take another AP like Psychology and/or Human Geography but I might have to study on my own. I plan on doing environmental, tutoring kids, international, madrigal dinner (dinner show), possible joining the national thespian society, book, and another play for clubs this year. Plus, I'm trying to join the National Honor Society this year and Honor French Society.</p>

<p>Here are my grades:
9th(1st sem/2nd sem):
~Mixed Chorus - 97/99
~Honor English I - 100/93
~Algebra I - 86/88
~Biology - 85/80
~World History - 100/100</p>

<p>10th:
~Mixed Chorus III - 99/100
~Honor English II - 80/92
~Geometry - 70/88
~Physical Science - 78/78
~AP Government & Politics - 83/80
~French I - 89/88</p>

<p>----------I moved to a new county-----------</p>

<p>11th:
~Adv. Ensemble - 96/100
~French II - 87/79
~AP Lang & Comp - 94/87
~Algebra II - 70/76
~Chemistry - 77/ 74
~AP US History - 70/75
~Theatre I - 87/83 [Previous School didn't have Theatre]</p>

<p>12th (Now):
~Adv.Theatre II
~Honor French III
~Study Skills
~AP English
~Human Anatomy
~Current Events
~Algebra III</p>

<p>AP Scores are ranging from 1-2 ( GoPo [1], Lit [2], USH [1])
My SAT Score is 1330 (430 Reading,400 Math, 500 Writing) and plan on taking it and the ACT again in October and again in November.
My rank 107/367 (was last year), </p>

<p>My dad wants me to apply to the colleges I want anyway, but I don't want to do that with the heightened possibility of me being rejected. Plus, he constantly tells me to make all A's this year in order to get a scholarship, because he and my mother are broke. Not to mention I have a sister (she's in the 10th now) who's right behind me along with 2 other siblings (12, 3). I would like to add that my parents are both divorced.</p>

<p>What do I do? How do I get on track? Is it still possible to get into the colleges I want? Do I make a whole new college list? I really don't know where to start...</p>

2

<p>Your grades and test scores put you out of the running for Columbia and NYU. </p>

<p>Here are the statistics for Columbia. Note that the median SAT was 2100-2330 and 97% were in the top 10th of their class:
[Admission</a> Statistics | Columbia University Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/stats.php]Admission”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/stats.php)</p>

<p>Stats for NYU :
Average High School GPA: 3.63
SAT Critical Reading Score Range (middle 50%): 630 - 730
SAT Math Score Range (middle 50%): 650 - 750
ACT Score Range (middle 50%): 29 - 31
Ranked in Top 10% of High School Class: 69.7%
[Just</a> the Facts](<a href=“http://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/is-nyu-right-for-you/faqs.html]Just”>http://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/is-nyu-right-for-you/faqs.html)</p>

<p>Needing a lot of financial aid means that NYU and out-of-state publics like SUNY-Purchase are probably not good options. (And Columbia doesn’t offer merit scholarships, just financial aid.) Note that Purchase wants a combined CR+Math of 1100 and you have an 830. I don’t know how far your talent will carry you at Purchase, but I think money will make it out of reach.</p>

<p>Generally, successful applicants have earned a high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a combined Critical Reading and Math SAT score of at least 1100 or better. Students that do not meet these exact requirements, but that demonstrate an impressive academic history or, in the case of our professional training programs in the visual and performing arts, exceptionally strong artistic talent may still be considered for admission. </p>

<p><a href=“Search results for  • Purchase College”>Search results for  • Purchase College;

<p>The truth is that there are local private and public schools out there that will accept you but not with scholarship money. Most kids with your grades and test scores will attend instate public schools. </p>

<p>Regarding your questions: It is not possible to get into the colleges on your current list with scholarship money. Senior year grades are unlikely to ‘save’ you. You need a new list.</p>

3

<p>You need to make a new college list. Columbia and NYU are out of your reach.</p>

<p>Your low SAT score (Math/CR) is going to make it difficult to gain acceptance into many 4-year colleges. Scores of 1 and 2 on your AP tests also suggest that you may not be ready right now for the academics at a typical 4-year college. Have you considered starting out at a Community College? You’ll save a lot of money by completing your general ed’s at a community college. In addition, if you can achieve a strong GPA at the community college level, you’ll have more college options later on as a transfer applicant.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.newpaltz.edu/oir/cds_c.pdf[/url]”>http://www.newpaltz.edu/oir/cds_c.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
^Here’s the Common Data Set for SUNY New Paltz.</p>

4

<p>If you really want to be in NY, SUNY’s or CUNY’s are your best option, cheaper as a whole but still not going to shell out aid. However, there are more options and better aid in your home state. Your scores as they stand really limit your options, so look into community colleges as well. To name some colleges to consider…Truett-McConnell, Macon State, Art Institute of Atlanta. If you are African-American, there are many HBCUs</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>I agree with the previous advice. Make a new list, realistically matching your stats to the schools you’re considering. Especially with your interests in drama, theater, and writing, it makes a lot of sense to consider 2 years of Community College to get the Gen Eds out of the way, build up a strong GPA, and save money.</p>

6

<p>The original post sounds ■■■■■-ish to me. Those SAT scores will not get her into UGA. No way. That would leave <em>maybe</em> Suny Purchase-- and how did that school hit the radar screen?? </p>

<p>Three sibs, very low SATs and AP’s, 3.1 or 3.2 GPA (reported in another thread), parents with no money (and NYU is notorious for not meeting demonstrated need), wants to “join” NHS (you get nominated and elected, you don’t join)-- this just doesn’t pass the smell test. Unless she is a URM with a major hook, none of this is even close to realistic.</p>

7

<p>I apologize for putting the wrong SUNY link in my earlier post (Post #3).</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.purchase.edu/sharedmedia/departments/institutionalresearch/2009/cds_fall2009.pdf[/url]”>https://www.purchase.edu/sharedmedia/departments/institutionalresearch/2009/cds_fall2009.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
^Here is the correct Common Data Set for SUNY Purchase</p>

<p>----------------------------------------25th Percentile--------- 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading--------------------- 510------------------ 630
SAT Math ---------------------------------490------------------ 580</p>

<p>Start out at Community College. If you succeed at that level, then consider transferring to a 4-year college.</p>

8

<p>Is it hard to transfer in from OOS, nysmile? What would be the cost for an OOS student? Does SUNY Purchase have a strong music/theater program…</p>

<p>And to clarify, the OP could get into some state of GA schools (maybe Ga College and State, West GA, Armstrong Atlantic, Kennesaw, N. Ga college, etc ) but not UGA and probably not Ga Southern, maybe not Ga State.</p>

<p>For GA college and state in Milledgeville:

</p>

<p>Good resource for Ga colleges:
<a href=“https://secure.gacollege411.org/default.aspx[/url]”>https://secure.gacollege411.org/default.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>Found an interesting table (though 2 yrs out of date) on Ga Southern’s website:
It doesnt copy well-- so heres the link-- its composite (V/M) SAT scores at the GA schools from 1998-2008: See pg 24</p>

<p><a href=“http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/osra/fb/fb0809_web.pdf[/url]”>http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/osra/fb/fb0809_web.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Georgia Institute of Technology 1295 1303 1329 1321 1325 1325 1323 1328 1329 1333 1335
University of Georgia 1186 1190 1198 1201 1211 1209 1230 1237 1222 1225 1229
Georgia College & State University 992 1027 1049 1055 1062 1088 1116 1120 1124 1128 1129
Southern Polytechnic State University 1053 1067 1074 1094 1094 1105 1119 1124 1113 1106 1112
Georgia Southern University 983 987 1008 1028 1052 1056 1080 1098 1104 1108 1111
North Ga. College & State University 1072 1061 1065 1061 1069 1074 1080 1079 1082 1079 1088
Georgia State University 1048 1050 1045 1063 1066 1080 1088 1085 1086 1084 1077
Kennesaw State University 1021 1024 1034 1022 1032 1047 1069 1067 1071 1066 1077
University of West Georgia 952 964 980 1000 1008 1009 1006 1021 1012 1013 1013
Valdosta State University 993 1001 1012 1020 1020 1017 1025 1028 1026 1009 1013
Armstrong Atlantic State University 946 962 1003 1018 1010 1024 1027 1020 1011 1012 1011
Georgia Southwestern State University 967 986 1001 999 1005 999 986 996 991 983 988
Augusta State University 964 981 980 979 984 978 975 978 970 991 980
Columbus State University 951 969 960 970 970 973 989 1003 990 992 978
Clayton State University 943 988 984 1006 993 1002 992 984 997 974 967
Fort Valley State University 857 867 894 878 893 897 913 902 898 884 882
Albany State University 830 837 830 908 926 905 934 915 902 910 881
Savannah State University 844 868 881 892 887 886 902 876 882 867 850</p>

10

<p>To the OP…when you look at colleges, you have to examine the “stats” of admitted students to that college and compare yours to that…average GPA of admitted students, percentage of accepted students in the top 10%, top 25%, and top 50% of their high school class, mid SAT (or ACT) score ranges, and also the overall acceptance rate. The schools you mentioned are not remotely in your range. </p>

<p>You may also wish to look into schools that are Test Optional as your SAT scores alone put you out of range for many colleges. One example is to look at Rollins College which is SAT optional and has good theater. </p>

<p>You also need to understand the differences between BFA and BA degree programs for theater. NYU and SUNY Purchase are BFA programs, for example, which require auditions to get in and are extremely competitive with very low acceptance rates into their programs (much lower than the published acceptance rate to the university itself). Based on your background of merely being in the school play and you don’t mention any acting training, you should seek out BA programs, not BFAs. </p>

<p>Jym, the reason that SUNY Purchase was likely on the OPs radar is that SUNY Purchase is one of the top BFA in Acting programs in the country and extremely competitive, as well as requires an audition. The stats that people are posting about it don’t tell the whole story. The OP doesn’t sound at all competitive for SUNY Purchase. You can be one of the most talented teenage actors in the country and still be denied there.</p>

11

<p>Also, your GC is right in not letting you enroll in more AP courses. Other than in English, your grades in previous AP courses and on the AP exams do not indicate that AP is the right track/level for you. In most high schools, you have to do well enough in some courses to be allowed to sign up for the highest level track in that subject the following year.</p>

12

<p>Thanks for clarifying, soozie. I am not familiar with all the BFA schools. OP said elsewhere she wanted to major in theater/drama. </p>

<p>Agree that SAT optional schools are a good way to go. OP said she had a few C’s/D’s on her transcript. There needs to be a strong upward trend on the transcript too to be competitive for most of the schools on her list.</p>

13

<p>Well, the schools on her list are OUT of the question, no matter what. </p>

<p>I don’t see any Ds on her transcript she listed in the first post. A much less selective school that also is test optional may be an option.</p>

14

<p>From another thread…

Maybe a 70 is a D in her school. That is not uncommon.</p>

<p>and as for

I agree-- was just a little less blunt :D</p>

15

<p>jym,
Yes, now I see in her posting history her mention of 2 D’s but in that same post on another thread, she gives a hypothetical that said student has high test scores, but she doesn’t. </p>

<p>She is looking at schools OUT OF HER RANGE academically speaking. Further, I have no idea if she has researched BFAs or understands the difference between BA and BFAs (Columbia is a BA and NYU and Purchase are BFAs for example) or if she knows how extremely competitive BFA programs are generally speaking (many have single digit acceptance rates, such as Purchase) or that they require auditions (she should be prepping audition materials by now if she is going that route) or that she should have acting training, not just a school play. </p>

<p>Her college list does not match her academic or artistic qualifications. I have no trouble being blunt. :smiley: By applying to schools that are OUT OF REACH, she will get in nowhere.</p>

<p>to the OP,
Just to give you my perspective here, besides being a parent, I advise students applying to college and work with many who are seeking college theater programs. I also have a daughter of my own who is a recent graduate of NYU/Tisch and have a nephew about to enter SUNY Purchase in another field of the arts and I advised him on his entire college admissions process. I have had many students get into Tisch at NYU and you are not remotely in the ballpark for admissions there.</p>

16

<p>I took her hypothetical to mean she was hoping to get the SATs up when she retakes in Oct and Nov</p>

17

<p>OP,</p>

<p>Here’s the theater board on CC. You may want to read up on that major. </p>

<p>[Theater/Drama</a> Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/]Theater/Drama”>Theater/Drama Majors - College Confidential Forums)</p>

<p>I do think you need to figure out money though. Like I said, there are schools that would accept you-- especially if you are talented in acting-- but not with tons of scholarship money. (Often, at many schools, students will receive a scholarship or financial aid that will bring down costs but still be left with a bill to pay $20 or $30K or more.) So somewhere in this equation, you need to figure out what your parents can pay or you will just as easily end up with a bunch of unaffordable options.</p>

18

<p>Here is what she wrote on another thread…</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>jym, (re: your post 16)
*I *take that hypothetical to say “has a very high SAT/ACT score”. Now, the OP currently has a CR/M score on the SAT of 830. I understand she is hpoing to get the SATs up this fall. But it is UNREALISTIC that her SATs will be “a very high score.” Now, many define “very high score” differently of course. But “very high” often means over 1400 (not to mention to some CCers it means over 1500!). But OK, let’s say “very high” is simply over 1200. It is unrealistic that in a couple of months that a student will go from 830 to 1200 (or even 1100). So, her hypothetical doesn’t match reality. She might have said, “what if a student has 1000 on the SATs” which is a score she MIGHT be able to attain with lots of prep. </p>

<p>I work with students who are retaking their SATs in October. I give their odds at colleges with their current profile (and suggest they pick colleges based on facts in hand) and then I provide a projected “chances” if their SATs go up a certain amount within realistic reason and suggest some schools to have on standby in case that happens. But my projected possible scores for the fall do not jump hundreds of points. :)</p>

19

<p>I repeat-- the thread has that eau de ■■■■■ aroma wafting about it as well…</p>

20

<p>I don’t think this is a ■■■■■. I run across many people in my line of work who are very very very unrealistic about their odds at colleges and/or just not that knowledgeable about the whole process. They often pick out colleges they like or have heard of or that offer their field of study with no regard to the qualifications necessary to be admitted or even considered by those colleges.</p>