Low stats, BU as a reach. Chance me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston University
1

<p>I’m currently a junior and I don’t have the best stats. BU is definitely a reach for me, here it goes:</p>

<p>GPA UW: 3.4 or 3.5;
3.7W
SAT: 1650 on my first try, expecting to bring it up to 1800.
All honors throughout HS except History and Math
Expecting to graduate with 5 APs, 1 college-level class: (Language, Psych, Lit, Environmental, GOPO Comparative, and college-level French)</p>

<p>Senior Courseload: AP Lit, Environmental, GOPO Comp, College French, ASL, Intro to Sociology, Treble Choir (one of the advanced choirs)</p>

<p>3 Community Theatre musicals (9, two leads in 10)
Drama Club (9, 10)
GSA (10)
Literary Magazine (10)
French Club (9, 10, 11, 12)
Music Council (9, 10, 11, 12)
Tri-M Music Honor Society (11, 12)
Part-time job (11, 12)
Writing Center Tutor (11, 12) (will probably have leadership position next year)</p>

<p>I’ll be volunteering at a hospital over the summer and throughout next year, hopefully by the time I apply EA I’ll have around 100 hours of community service between tutoring and volunteering. I stopped doing as many ECs in 11th grade due to having a job.</p>

<p>My essay is going to be about my battle with PTSD and how I came to my major based on the intellectualization of my illness and the subsequent recovery, how I used to host a very popular advice website, etc. I’m expecting very good recs from AP Lang and AP Psych teachers, and I’ll be re-taking the SAT twice and taking the ACT in June.</p>

2

<p>One of the best things about BU is that they take the lengthy amount of time to thoroughly read and assess the entirety of an applicant’s application before making their decisions. Your stats aren’t too ridiculously far off, but I’ll admit they’re not exactly in the target range. However the leadership that you have in community service, volunteering, and in school organizations really can cause you to stand out. When I applied ED, I really honestly had no confidence at all that I’d be accepted. My GPA was a little low compared to the average. The essay does matter a lot when applying to BU and I’d recommend spending adequate amounts of time on it. Also, applying Early Decision really is the way to go if BU is your first choice. Before I was accepted I had been to numerous seminars and visits to campus. They take your visits, attendance at seminars near your area, and the dedication to apply early very seriously and in consideration when making decisions. I’m nearly certain that applying early made all the difference for me.</p>

3

<p>Dude, CGS is the way to go for you. You do two years in CGS, then, continue onto one of the schools at BU. In most majors you will still be able to graduate in four years, however, some work intensive majors may require a fifth year. </p>

<p>From the BU website: Details of CGS entering class credentials:Avg. Class Rank: Top 21%</p>

<p>Avg. GPA: 3.3 (predominantly B+)</p>

<p>SAT Composite: Middle 50%; 1710–1860 (avg. 1785)</p>

<p>■Critical Reading: Middle 50%; 550–620 (avg. 587)
■Math: Middle 50%; 560 – 630 (avg. 595)
■Writing: Middle 50%; 560–640 (avg. 603)
SAT Subject Tests: Middle 50%; 520–630 (avg. 581)</p>

<p>ACT: Middle 50%; 24–27 (avg. 26)</p>

4

<p>[Frequently</a> Asked Questions about CGS » General Studies | Boston University](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/cgs/about/faq/]Frequently”>Frequently Asked Questions | General Studies)</p>

5

<p>FYI…BU CGS never required or recommended subject tests and now, BU doesn’t require them at all for the 2013 application cycle…(unless you are applying for combined programs in MD etc)</p>