My Chances to these Universities???

<p>Firstly, what are my chances at University of Florida, Florida State University, and Northeastern University.</p>

<p>Secondly, particularly if the schools above are no match, what schools should I apply to. I’m looking for a strong business school and my intended major is accounting.</p>

<p>Note: I have an awkward high school record considering how my grades plummeted in junior year and for the one year gap between high school graduation and entrance to college. This will clearly negatively affect my admission, but I have made an attempt to explain the reason behind it on a personal statement. </p>

<p>My High School record is as follow:</p>

<p>Hispanic Male</p>

<p>Scanned Picture of my Transcript:
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/vmg2003/scan.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/vmg2003/scan.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>GPA: 3.32</p>

<p>SAT: This I believe will be the biggest factor. I will be re-taking it on November 6 and I’m hoping for a 1200. Being a bit skeptical, I will say 1150 for now. As you see, I blotted out the score on my transcript since it was so bad. Also, I will be taking the December ACT and hoping for a 24.</p>

<p>EC’s:
JV Football and Track
National Spanish Honor Society 9-12
Employment during junior year
Co-op Program in senior year</p>

<p>Letter of Recommendation:<a href="using%20John%20Smith%20in%20place%20of%20my%20real%20name">i</a>*
This letter was written for my UF application. He has agreed to use the same layout for all my other schools of choice

[quote]

Dear Admissions Committee:</p>

<p>I am very pleased to recommend Mr. John Smith for admittance to your undergraduate program at the University of Florida. I have known Mr. Smith for two years. I served as his supervisor when he was a member of the Clear Creek High School Office Education Program, a cooperative program with the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL). The Office Education Program is reserved for outstanding high school students who have achieved academic excellence. In his position at UHCL, he handled admirably the various job assignments that required independent and cooperative work styles, analytical thinking, organization, and technology skills.</p>

<p>Mr. Smith has the energy and commitment to undertake this undergraduate study. He is a self-starter and a leader who takes the initiative in completing projects. He demonstrates a professional demeanor among colleagues, exercising genuine respect and appreciation for them. He works well both independently and in collaboration with others. He would gain extensive knowledge from your prestigious University, and at the same time he would contribute to the educational process, bringing his academic strengths and workplace experience to the classroom.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>-His Name-.
Associate Professor & Coordinator
Educational Management Program
University of -

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Personal Letter to Admission committee explaining why my grades dropped and for my delay in the application process for college. (Please feel free to offer suggestions on ways to change it)</p>

<p>
[quote]

Because of the awkward conditions of my application, I felt it was essential to include a letter of explanation in why my grades descended towards my last two years of high school, and for the period of time spent after graduation before my final decision to apply for college.</p>

<p>When, five years ago, my father merged his small distribution business with a local competitor's, the new business partner quickly began to commit fraudulent acts with the intent of forcing my father out of the company and becoming the sole manager. In November of 2002, after having begun a legal battle with his partner, my father was attacked by three assailants outside his office. Fearing for our safety, I-then a senior in high school-and my mother moved to Miami where many of our relatives lived, while my father stayed in Houston to run the business and continue the legal fight. </p>

<p>This upheaval seriously put my college plans in jeopardy. No longer in Houston, I was forced to complete my studies through the Texas Technical High School's extended studies program. By that time, my father was in immense financial debts due to legal fees and, to help support my household, I began holding a full-time job. I used what little free time I had to send my completed assignments back to Texas by mail. Although it was delayed for a year due to my job and the stresses of the past events, I earned my diploma in July of 2004. </p>

<p>Applying to college became a very complicated decision. My father recommended that I join the military, which, through the GI Bill, would pay for college tuition. This meant, though, that my enrollment would be delayed for four years. Community college was also out of the question because of the transportation expenses; my family could no longer afford car insurance, and I was worried that holding a job as a full-time student would negatively impact my education. I decided that attending a college where I could live on campus was my best option. I would be fully independent from my parents and, through grants and student loans, it wouldn't be a financial burden. By that point, I had unfortunately already missed the application deadlines and would have to wait till 2005 to enroll.</p>

<p>I understand, however, that the challenges I've faced are not insurmountable. Most importantly, my family is safe and, as for myself, I am confident that I will be able to pursue my educational goals. Equally rewarding is my own personal development. I know what it's like to cope with disappointment and uncertainty. I understand how to be patient and wait for years to satisfy a desire. And, because of all the effort I've put in, I have no doubt that college is the right choice for me. I've been through a lot, but I can see my success in sight; nothing exceptional, I've learned, can be had without a challenge.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
John Smith

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I also want to add that I will be putting a lot of effort on the admission essays.</p>

<p>Thank you all!!</p>

<p>...bump...</p>

<p>Hi Excel04,</p>

<p>You will need to raise your SAT score above 1200 to have a decent chance of being admitted to Northeastern. The school is becoming increasingly competitive as the word spreads about all the upgrades to the campus, academics, and the strength of the co-op program. Last year NEU received 24,000 applications for 2800 spots and had an acceptance rate in the 40% range. But the adcom may find your story about how you overcame adversity to be compelling (I certainly do). As a suggestion, you may want to explain your reasons for studying accounting. For example, is your decision any way related to what your father experienced with his business partners? A good accountant can spot the fraudulent transactions. This would be very compelling and an interesting read given the recent media attention to corporate scandals like Enron etc.</p>

<p>Good luck! Northeastern is an awesome school.</p>

<p>It's hard for me to read your transcript. As far as UF is concerned...they like to see 4 or 5 AP classes on your transcript. Realistically, you need 1200 on your SATs....and it's much better to have 1300+....and your class rank needs to be near the top 10 percent. Your weighted GPA needs to approach 4.0 or more...</p>

<p>Your chances at FSU are a little better....but I think you need to add some more schools to your list. Just my 0.02. Good Luck...you sound like a good kid!</p>

<p>BTW...UF uses a "holistic" approach to admission...so I think your letter will carry some weight.</p>

<p>Excel04, my understanding about Florida State and U of FL admissions is that it is largely formula driven. Your SATs and grades will be crucial in the decision. Since you are no longer the "traditional student", perhaps your app will be personally evaluated. Since you have the gap years, you should perhaps send in a resume outlining what you have done in that time. </p>

<p>Unless you are married, have dependents, are age 23,are a veteran of the Armed Forces or have court papers, you cannot declare yourself independent. In order to get financial aid, you must submit FAFSA at the minimum with your FAMILY's income including your earnings. Though you will find that Northeastern's admissions process if far more holistic than the state schools, the cost of going there is sky high, and getting enough financial aid may be an issue in your case. </p>

<p>You have had some time to think about what you want to do during your hiatus from education, so I certainly am not going to suggest you do a turnabout. By all means, apply to the programs you want. However, be aware that the admissions and financial aid problems may well be there for you. In my experience, it is hard to get the adcom's attention at a large state school where often times the decision come out of the computer from the stats input. And Northeastern is not particularly generous with aid, though the cost can be somewhat mitagated with the co-op program. I would suggest looking at some local alternatives as well. You may need to put in a few years of community or local college with some good grades to show a major university that you are now ready to buckle down and do the work.</p>

<p>Yes the cost of Northeastern will definitely influence my decision.</p>

<p>My only real hope is a form that I was able to find for FSU and UF. The name varies from school to school, but basically, it’s a form you fill out with supporting documents to explain an unusual incidence that greatly impacted you or your family financially.</p>

<p>I believe it is mainly used to explain deaths of a family member and such extreme events, but I will attempt to explain my father’s case and hope it gets approved so that I could receive substantially more aid. (I will be posting a thorough thread about this in the Financial Aid forum soon)</p>

<p>And fortunately, I was recently accepted to my safety school Florida International University. It’s a rather good school and if worst comes to worst, I will be happy to attend there and later perhaps transfer to a better school after two years.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the help so far.</p>

<p>Any other comments/suggestions?</p>

<p>bu..bu..bum...mppp</p>