My Chances at BU?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston University
1

<p>I will be applying to BU next year, trying to pursue a major is psychology. However, I think with my low SAT I numbers (by their standards), it’ll be a real push and shove process for me to get in. I’m hoping my extracurriculars and my other circumstances will help me, but other than that, any help and/or advice I can get will be incredibly appreciated. ^^</p>

<p>I know my SAT I numbers are quite low, but I am studying my butt off… and I hope that the next testing will be a big improvement.</p>

<p>Tests:
SAT I: M- 530; V- 600; W- 650
AP bio- 4; AP lang- 4; AP gov’t- 3</p>

<p>I’ll be taking the ACTs, SAT Is again, and SAT IIs (Spanish, Lit, and Biology) this coming school year.</p>

<p>Classes:
I take only the toughest (this year 3 APs… but considering my school’s size and location, it’s considered a loaded course), and I maintain a decent GPA (3.8 unweighted). Next year, I’m taking the toughest courses yet again (4 APs).</p>

<p>I’m sure I rank at least top 15% in my class (which is only about 70).</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (my strongest point, thank goodness):
I know where my passions lie, and they are in music. ^^
I am a jazz drummer, and I drum for my school’s jazz band (two years, as of next year)-- I also played bass the two years before that.
I also have been selected for numerous honor bands for percussion.
I have been studying classical piano for ten years now, and I occasionally teach novices.
I also play guitar somewhat proficiently.
I have won many awards at various musical festivals for performing solos.</p>

<p>Other than music, I have:
been student council executive secretary for two years;
been a student council delegate to an inter-school student council;
been on the school’s Model UN team for three years as of next year;
been a Sunday School teacher for two years as of next year;
been a published poet in a magazine twice;
been in the school’s NHS chapter for all years students are eligible (since tenth grade), and as of next year, I am historian;
been nationally recognized for my writing (NCTE).
I also volunteer at my church and at the local library a great deal, and I’m sure I’ve got at least 150 hours under my belt. </p>

<p>Other:
I’ve lived in Japan for the past ten years (but I’m not Japanese); my school is incredibly small (not to mention really underfunded and limited with its resources; sadly, my numbers are actually extremely high compared to my school’s average); and I am a military brat. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading this through! </p>

<p>-res</p>

2

<p>1st off-are you a japanese citizen? and 2nd-if you do up your SATs like you say you will, or i highly suggest the ACTs (a friend of mine got a 1260 on the SATs and then took the ACTs and got the equivalent of a 1350), then i dont see why you wouldnt have as good of a shot as anyone else. definately play up the music and student government thing to show passion and leadership in your essay. being a foreigner is also a HUGE advantage, if you are a citizen, and bilingual. BU loves international students. and you can also "fluff up" your application, like instead of 150 hours put like 250, which sounds nicer. what other schools are you looking at besides BU?</p>

3

<p>Oh no, I'm not a Japanese citizen. Definately American.
I am asian, or rather, pacific islander.
Not really bilingual, though... haha, unless you count the five years of spanish, maybe then.</p>

<p>I'm also looking at Wesleyan (that's my first choice, actually-- I'm applying first decision seeing as with my numbers, I'll need all the boosting I can get) and UC Davis (as it is where my residency is). </p>

<p>Unfortunately, the warm, fuzzy feeling of gratitude I have now for you can't be sent to you or anything, so I hope a simple "thanks" will do. ^^</p>

4

<p>hahah of course, im glad i could help! hope everything works out for you, and even though wesleyan is ur first choice, i will always be a BU fan! tufts was my first choice and i got rejected flat out, and BU was actually my 4th, and i fell in love!!</p>

5

<p>Hopefully you can bring up your SATs or do better on the ACT. Otherwise you are an excellent candidate, intriguing backgound and talents if you will, for any of the schools you mentioned but of course nothing is certain these days. Remember too there is always CGS.</p>