I'm a published author, will that boost my admissions chances?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm interested in going to a private or selective public school. 3.5UW GPA and 1700 on the SAT with no prep.( I enrolled in a course, expecting around a 2000 next time). Those stats don't really set me apart from other applicants, however, I have essays and poetry published in two separate books. Will this set me apart from students applying to schools like Northwestern, Boston University, or USC? Or public schools like the University of Florida or UT- Austin? Or is being published more common than I think? I also have stellar leadership experience and extracurricular actives. I also have around 300 community service hours.</p>

2

<p>It totally depends what you were published in and what you published. However, your SAT may hurt you quite a bit…</p>

3

<p>@chickenfiesta‌ I published an essay and a collection of poems. What do you mean what I was published in? I don’t mean the school paper lol. I mean I was published in 2 books that you can go into Barnes and Nobles and purchase.</p>

4

<p>It’s a nice accomplishment and might help your admission chances. It won’t have a speck of help gaining you money to pay for attending college.</p>

5

<p>It is super, but I’m guessing many schools will view it as a very successful extra-curricular activity. Many of the large state schools made decision primarily on GPA/SAT as there are so many applicants to process. If you are applying for a writing program at a small school, it may prove to be more helpful. Also, unless your SAT goes up you may want to consider some test optional colleges.
<a href=“ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest”>http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>Yes, that could boost your chances. But usually your stats still have to be within range. It won’t get you financial aid if your parents can afford school, but it could help with merit money. My son’s friend is a published author too He graduated from Goucher–they did give him some money. But he also had the test scores and grades so that he was an attractive candidate there, also being male and URM to boot That was his best offer some years ago. Did well there. Loved it. It’s a great school But look up the amounts of merit scholarships it has to give out vs cost.</p>