Is NYU truly holistic in their admit process and is there really academic diversity?

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
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<p>NYU is my number one school. I am applying EDII. I honestly would do EDI but I want them to see my first semester of senior year, since it is full of AP's and I am getting good grades.</p>

<p>I have done a lot, and I mean sort of an obsessive amount, of reading on NYU. I am very serious about getting into this school, and am well aware that NYU is becoming more and more selective each admissions year. So I guess I have a few questions...</p>

<p>With a competitive applicant pool, do you really think that NYU admits students who maybe don't have GPA's in the 75th percentile but had stellar extra curricular activities, a great essay and very positive recommendations to accrue a more academically diverse student body?</p>

<p>Which leads me to my next question... how much of NYU's applicant pool do you think is actually qualified? A great deal of NYU's applicants come from NY and NJ which I can see kids with 3.0's, mediocre test scores, little in the way of participation, applying just because they see it as another state school. Do you think this skews the admissions data at all?</p>

<p>While we're here, be kind and chance a sister. I am really passionate about this school and would like some outside opinions and unbiased evaluation. Also, I will chance you back so don't worry there's something in it for you...</p>

<p>GPA: 3.4 W. Weak, I know. My first semester of freshman year was terrible, 2.28, due to extenuating circumstances, but I have had a 3.57+, generally on the + side each semester since. It's just the cumulative that's bringing me down.</p>

<p>SAT: Haven't taken the official test yet... Nov 5 it is. My practice test is at about a 2050</p>

<p>ACT w/ Writing: 29 composite, still have another test date in the works </p>

<p>EC's... here's where I really shine you guys.</p>

<ul>
<li>EIC of newspaper, 1 yr, in newspaper for 3</li>
<li>Team captain of speech and debate team, qualified state 3 yrs, placed in state 3 yrs</li>
<li>Co-founder National Art Honor Society
-Painted school mural
-involved in elementary art enrichment programs, headed this up btw</li>
<li>Peer mentor and tutor, this has given me a decent amount of community service hours</li>
<li>Galleried artist </li>
</ul>

<p>I know I don't have THAT many EC's persay but I have put in a lot of hours and have achieved leadership positions in the ones that apply. Which I honestly think is more valuable than being involved in a million different things. You gotta have focus, right?</p>

<p>I also speak fluent French, and have taken a very rigorous course schedule throughout high school. My transcript shows growth. I have some great recommendations and my essay's seem to be working out pretty well also. </p>

<p>I have a chronic debilitating medical condition, don't know if this counts or not, debating on whether or not to mention it in my apps. </p>

<p>other schools I am applying to... Boston University, Syracuse University, University of Vermont, American University, UWash Seattle, maybe I'll tack on a few others if I feel the need but those are where my priorities lie.</p>

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<p>Bump! Come on people.</p>

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<p>What school in NYU are you applying for?</p>

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<p>I think it significantly depends on the program you’re applying to. As per your condition, if you feel it is an integral part of who you are or has contributed to your mental outlook, write about it. It’s that simple.</p>

<p>I’ll be frank right now and state that your GPA and SAT are quite below the median here, and the unfortunate reality is that practice scores are often higher than the actual one later. That being said, if you have a condition, you ought to be able to take the test untimed, which should heavily boost your score.</p>

<p>If you are applying to an arts program, I doubt the quantitative aspects of your application would be a big factor. It’s probably going to be more about your writing, extracurriculars, and portfolio.</p>

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<p>For Stern, but isn’t the mid 50 SAT overall like 1860 on the lower end and a 2000 approx in CAS?</p>

6

<p>I am either applying to Steinhardt or CAS. I want to do public health and policy or political science, and just found out there is a brand new department for public health with a major in Steinhardt.</p>

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<p>Oliviab,</p>

<p>First impressions:

  1. You are defintely on an upward curve since freshman year. In fact, your GPA since then appears to be in the NYU range; an upward trend is generally something that is a positive, esp. When the year you bombed was the first year of high school. Also, if the extenuating circumstances for freshman year are legit, that might also plant a more positive seed in the mind of the admissions reader of your app.</p>

<p>2) Your ACT score of 29 is in the NYU range of 29-31 (I believe that was
last year). You can just send your ACT score and if they improve in the
next taking of the test, all the better. But you are starting within the range for NYU. Or if your SAT scores turn out to be higher than your ACTs, the by all means send them.</p>

<p>3) You are right that there is merit in focus in doing a few or even one meaningful thing well over the years. So, you showmthat. What I am not sure about is where your public health and policy interests are evident in your ECs unless you can link art therapy to health? Or link it to your medical condition and what it has taughtnyou regarding the need for good health policy, etc.</p>

<p>4) Steinhardt appeared to have been the most “lax” of the schools when it comes to hard #s and maybe the applicant’s heart or fervor for the field will count more since it is the school with the “most heart.”</p>

<p>5) While there are obviously students with B averages who apply to NYU, the fact is NYU has been a very popular school, in fact, the “dream school” for many a few years back, according tot he Princeton Review. Its location right in the heart of one of the best neighborhoods in NYC will likely continue to allowmthe school to draw from a very talented and academically strong applicant pool. Yes, in fact, the admissions stats show that each year, NYU becomes more and more selective. This
means they do have enough students from the topmbrackets when it comes to grades, test scores, and, yes, money, to apply and be considered for NYU, as well as have the ability to attend NYU.</p>

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<p>Sorry, my Ipad keeps adding letters when they are not called for despite my attempts to change the settings. I could not catch all the additional letters added and it is too time consuming.</p>

<p>The other matter: If you are applying to a new undergrad program at Steinhardt and you show your knowledge of what the program is intended to accomplish and your fit for the program is shown through your essay or recs, you can very well have a higher chance as an applicant ina new program. Generally, new programs are hungrynfor good students , especially solid ones, and this is likely to be a good year for you to apply if youmpresent yourself in the right manner. The best to you!</p>

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<p>Thanks evolving, for the detailed response. My extenuating circumstances were that I dealt with a lot of bullying my freshman year. So much that I considered transferring high schools. I had a very difficult time adjusting. My student body isn’t exactly the most accepting bunch… basically I am very agnostic and liberal and those sorts of interests don’t really mesh well with my conservative and catholic peers. You would think I would have just had a harder time making friends but I was hazed to a pretty extreme extent. Of course this fizzled out and I was able to find my place in high school by joining my ec’s, etc. </p>

<p>Not sure if they would buy it as an explanation, but other than that my family circumstances changed a lot that semester and I also was not diagnosed with ADHD until the second semester of that year. Hence the major improvement in my grades. </p>

<p>I also have chronic migraine syndrome, but I’m not sure if admissions counselors consider medical conditions and how they may have affected your academic experience. </p>

<p>My reasoning for going into Public Health is very specific and I think well thought out so I am not concerned about my essay. I actually considered applying to Gallatin prior to learning about the Public Health major because I am so clear in what I want to do. Lucky me right? </p>

<p>Would it be out of line to contact the dean of Steinhardt via letter, email, whatever to get more information about it?</p>

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<p>Oliviab,
The additional info you provided paints a picture of a very successful student who has overcome multiple serious medical conditions. Bullying is a major hazard to a person’s psychological health and physical condition. ADHD is also another very serious medical condition requiring tx, support, guidance and professional assistance, as well as positive personal characteristics to offset the negatives of this condition. Real, diagnosed migraine conditions are also of a very serious nature with the need to address the cause of the recurring condition, management of stress, adequate sleep and rest, as well as recogition of triggering events by the individual afflicted with this medical condition. Professional help is also necessary to address this condition, as well as the two previous cconditions. All are serious medical/ psychological/ social problems not to be dismissed lightly. Yet you made an amazing comeback by sophomore year. I see yournachievements as reallynimpressive in light of the additional hx you provided.</p>

<p>Yes, to your question. I would send an email to the Dean of Steinhardt. I met her and she is a graceful and nice woman who seemed to care about her students. Though she is very busy, of course. If she cannot respond directly, I am sure she will refer you to the right person for info on the new Steinhardt program. this is the time when NYu wants to publicize the new offering and get thosenstudents who fit well with the mission and objectives of the program.</p>

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<p>I’m just trying to find a way to explain it so that it doesn’t seem like I’m making excuses, but rather just trying to explain that I am not in fact apathetic about my studies I have just had some troubles.</p>

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<p>These are not excuses. I think you are not letting yourself see the full extent of what you have had and have to overcome. It is a defense mechanism, otherwise you may very well feel overwhelmed by what you have (had) to deal with. I am speaking now with my psychologist hat on. True, I am a licensed psychologist, besides being a retired faculty of a SUNY school. :)</p>

<p>You should claim some of the victory you have experienced since freshman year. This is separate from getting into NYU Steinhardt, though that would be nice too! :)</p>

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<p>I definitely do think that my issues early on in high school and later on in junior year with illness were legitimate… but I can’t see through a guidance counselors eyes so I have no idea.</p>

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<p>You have to see your problems as what they are, fully legit issues that can and do interfere withnanperson’s functioning. Once you are certain of that AND portray them as such, you will have a better chance of convincing admissions counselors who might miss the legitimacy of your issues if they are not portrayed in the right and most forceful manner (without thinking you are using “excuses”) to them. Especially since they are inundated with application readings and have onlynso much time to read or scan through materials submitted. And thefact that therenare people who do use excuses that really are misrepresentations or exaggerations. In your case, this is not true. You have struggled and overcome. Actually, I see you really working with your limitations, e.g.
Your ECs initially appeared “skimpy/ not heavily padded” until I read again and saw the kind of commitment you have shown (depth instead of breadth). In your case, that works and is the right way to go because of the ADHD condition. you are working within your problem areas by not making problems worse. you stay focused and do well with the “few” rather than the “many.”</p>

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<p>I have some other community service things that I didn’t add in there that show a lot of dedication to public health/serving the greater good, etc. </p>

<p>I think my app will be strong because I am very very clear on what I want to do in my future and I can pretty much make the distinction where my interest started and how my ec activities contributed to the interest.</p>