My grades suck: Do I have a chance

Colleges and Universities A-Z Case Western Reserve University
1

<p>GPA: 3.0 Unweighted. School only offers one set of classes. No Ap’s or honors
Freshman year messed me up!!! But did great sophmore and junior year.
SAT’s: Math: 680 Reading: 650 Writing: 620
Will take SAT 2’s in physics and math 1C
Will take ACT
My school doesn't rank
Race and Gender: African American (my dad is Nigerian) and Male
Im from Boston,MA
Main EC’s (I have more but not important):</p>

<p>Theater Work Fall of 2005- Spring 2007
-was featured in The raisin in the sun and took part of the Shakespeare competition. Also was an actor in our own school plays such as Injustices in our world and I dwell in possibility.</p>

<p>BU U-design Summer of 2005
-Made robots using the Lego mindstorm kit.
-We programmed our robots to do challenges such as sumo wrestling and a maze.</p>

<p>President and Co-Chair Fall 0f 2006-Spring of 2008
- Being President of class, I made sure that the Class of 2009 and the faculty kept a good relationship.
- I made sure that our class was being heard and we had somewhat of a say how the school ran.
-I helped with fundraising as well.</p>

<p>MIT SEED Academy Fall of 2005- Spring 2008
- A Saturday Engineering Enrichment Discovery ( that’s what SEED stands for by the way), we would learn engineering disciplines such as aerospace and civil engineering every Saturday and make a final presentation at the end of the semester. </p>

<p>CITYterm Spring of 2008
- Founded by David Dunbar (editor of Empire City), it is a semester boarding school in Dobbs Ferry that engages it students in the history, literature and culture of New York City.
- Projects that we have done so far is make homes for an issue that should be addressed (my group did health) and make a presentation of the Brooklyn bridge, but had to have somewhat of an abstract component ( I made a physical representation of the bridge, but I had famous Brooklynites on it such as Woody Allen and Jay Z).
-For more info, please go to cityterm.com</p>

<p>BU Professor Fall of 2008-
-Every time I get a chance, I discuss and engage in an engineering topic. We previously have done circuits and now we just finished our fuel and solar cell car.</p>

<p>Founder of Alegbra project
-High performing math students help freshman with math.</p>

<p>Cross Country 2 years</p>

<p>Applying to:</p>

<p>BU
WPI
Union
Howard
Flordia A&M
UMASS amherest (spelling error....probaly)
Rowan
U pitt
Va tech
Case western
Drexel
Northeastern</p>

<p>And remember to be NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

2

<p>*Amherst.</p>

<p>I have the same questions as you. (bad grades)</p>

3

<p>I think your overall GPA might be a bit low for Case. Is there a reason why your freshman yr grades were low (death in family, illness, etc.)? If so, you might want to explain that on your application. Considering that your grades went up soph and junior, the admissions committee might take your GPA in a more favorable light. Plus, junior year is the most important year that colleges look at. If I were you, I would still apply. You have a lot of ECs and your SAT scores are definitely in the range of your typical Case applicant. Plus, Case doesn't have a lot of African American students (I say this as an alumni who just finished her BA) so that will help you as well. So my advice is play up your good qualities and get good recs. Also, would it be possible to take a college course at your local CC or study on your own and take an AP test or two? You said that your school doesn't offer AP classes so taking a college course or AP test might show that you're really prepared for college work. If not, don't sweat it. There are plenty of students at Case who didn't take AP classes.</p>

<p>Before I end, I just wanted to say that your stats are actually good for most of the colleges you want to apply to. I think your stats could easily get you into FAMU, Drexel, Northeastern, Rowan, Pitt, and probably Howard too.</p>

4

<p>modern_muslimah - </p>

<p>Wow! There are students at Case that have not taken AP's?</p>

<p>I feel better now :) Overall, I am a hardworking and active hs student but I was worrying that I couldn't get in because I got a D in alegbra 2/ Trig Honors the second semester. (family issues took over me) <em>sigh...</em> JUnior year should be better. I really like Case.</p>

5

<p>Oh yeah, definitely. There are students who come from schools that don't offer them and admission committees don't hold that against those students. Explain why you got the D in a letter or maybe you can even make a personal statement about your family issues and how you overcame them.</p>

6

<p>you're in. you got high enough SAT scores.</p>