My Internal Strife.

Applying to College
1

A conflict we all are bound to face, or currently facing. A war in itself, a merciless and a bitter process.

College Admissions!

Onward with thy sword, and conquer the admissions office!

Lend me your ears! And help me slay the “manaical beast.”

The Question:

<li>Which college should I consider EA, and top priority?</li>

Note: I am at a financial disadvantaged, and my GPA suffered tremendiously. Sure, I am to blame for the lack of work in my GPA. But, I have learned this lesson to late, for I am a Junior.

Have you heard of any financial programs for which I could apply? A program which loosens the virtual rope around my neck. A “rope” tightened by my low GPA.

Since you are all dying to know my GPA… 85 (unweighted) – 88 (weighted)
I worked at a law firm for 3 years to help my mom. I participate in mock trials, and I have a strong talent, and passion for arguing and the Law.
I have other activities, such as Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook for next year, football team, tennis, swimming, key club, ARISTA society, and I recieved an award from frosh year competing in a science competition. Etc, etc. (A few more I cannot recall – i have a list somewhere)

My SAT grades, however, are currently decent. As per my practice tests. 650V 650M ??W (<–low 600s) – I will improve, of course.

Bearing all of this in mind, let’s press on to the weaponary station!

Let us bear arms:
“You there, take the pen!”
“Young lad in the silver, Yea’ you! Get the application, quickly boy!”
::Creek, creek:::

The timid boy returns, empty handed…
“WHAT!?”
“B-but, my Lord, I do-don’t know what to cho-choo-AH- CHOO!”
“…”
The boy continues, “Ah-Chooose – Choose!”
…

Can you help him?

A peek into the inventory:

-Boston University
-New York University*
-Northwestern University*
-Stanford (I wish, perhaps Stanford Law School… one day! If you have any information on either undergrad or law school… I would put it to good use).
-Georgetown University
-University of Chicago
-University of Penn. (Both, Upenn and cornell, were my aspirations since freshmen year – Stanford mainly derives from its Law School)
-Cornell University

  • in addition to the aforementioned, recommendations would be enlightening.

Note: I am aware that the aforementioned schools, including NYU are quite costly. But bear in mind that I live in NY, and I have relatives residing in NYC, and Chicago. I live in New York. And me, and my mother saved up money for college. So for undergrad, I should be fine with a job, especially.

And now, what is the BATTLE plan?!

-Which college should I consider EA, and top priority?
-Have you heard of any financial programs – that I could apply to, for College Admissions – that place me in a different catagory. A catagory which calls for a lenent review, due to my disadvantage.

Thank you,

Kyle

P.S. The stared colleges are my favorites, come to think of it. I will not bother with star-ing stanford, unless you convince me otherwise. Is it really a long-shot?

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<p>Since I -- apparently -- can not edit the original text, the following is an augment to the college list. </p>

<p>-George Washington University (in the District of Columbia)</p>

<p>Note: I stress, if you have any additional suggests please post it. "What college are you going to? What is your favorite?" -- an example of picking a recommended college for me, and other readers of this post in a similar circumstance.</p>

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<p>That was a quirky post; if you can get the quirkiness across in your essays, it can prove beneficial.</p>

<p>Don't rule Georgetown out. I earned a 600 M 670 V in one sitting and was admitted to Gerogetown during EA this year; one of the things that helped me were my EC's and the fact that I took college courses at UCLA. Georgetown has an Early Assurance Program that provides GUARENTEED admission to Georgetown Law Center (which is one of the best in the nation) if you do well at the Hilltop for the first two years. It offers a great education.</p>

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<p>eiffelguy87:</p>

<p>Thanks. I will improve on that style for the college essays. In fact, I have an excellent topic in mind. However, I will not disclose it openly. The reasons are evident.</p>

<p>Congrats on your acceptance! I would love to go there. GU is an excellent school for aspiring politicans, lawyers, journalists, etc. </p>

<p>Are you suggesting that I should apply under EA for GU?</p>

<p>I also hear from graduating friends, and my college advisor that Northwestern excells in Pre-professional studies and programs (PRE-LAW, and PRE-MED to be specific)</p>

<p>But then again, Georgetown is nationally recognized on a higher level -- in comparison to Northwestern, I assert.</p>

<p>Northwestern University, and Georgetown University are the top canidates for students who desire to become a lawyer. I, coincidentally , fall into that category of students.</p>

<p>However, as I researched both schools. Georgetown's Mock Trial team only competes in the District of Columbia. However, Northwestern competes Nationwide. The Mock Trial experience offered at Northwestern will prove to be invaluabe to me. </p>

<p>But then again, Georgetown's enviornment -- surrounded by Capitol Hill. The smell of an internship floats about in the air!</p>

<p>(Northwestern is near Chicago. There -- in Chicago -- lays opportunities for interships at a law firm, as well)</p>

<p>It's a tough choice.</p>

<p>P.S. Let's also consider the other candiates on my list, too.</p>

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<p>I'm also an aspiring law student. </p>

<p>Do not rule out Stanford as an option; I am currently a waitlist applicant (which, given my SAT scores, a waitlist is a miracle). Stanford offers many opportunities and San Francisco is great with Western law firms based there. </p>

<p>To be on the safe side, I would apply to one "safety" just in case something should happen with admissions.</p>

<p>I would also consider Washington and Lee University; they have a law center as well and WLU is arguably one of the best LACs. They are also one of few universities to have a school of politics (Williams School of Business, Economics, and Politics).</p>

<p>I will be heading to UC Berkeley this fall (though I don't recommend it for your situation as their financial aid is targeted for in-state students). Berkeley's Mock Trial Team is pretty decent too, I think.</p>

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<p>Rule out Stanford?! I never will!. </p>

<p>I plan on moving to California acually, so most likely I will go to Stanford Law School. I will work efficently during my four years as an undergrad to gain acceptance there. Or I may transfer to Stanford for undergrad and work my way from there to Stanford Law School.</p>

<p>If I could go to any school I wanted, I would pick Stanford, hands down.</p>

<p>Unless I decide to live on the East Coast, then I would strive for Yale Law School.</p>

<p>What did you get on the SATs?
If you are waitlisted for Stanford, you must have a good High School background.</p>

<p>I would not mind sending in my app. to Stanford for EA. But, is it worth it?</p>

<p>Before this conversation, I planned to merely apply in the Regular pool without hope of recieving an acceptance letter. But I keep wondering... maybe I should risk it? I might regret trying. And then I begin to feel self-centered, and I think: They SHOULD accept me!</p>

<p>This whole process is very daunting. Either way I do it, I'm risking. Is this risk worth it? Perhaps I could get accepted, after all students with 500s on SATs were accepted. Maybe me with AVG SATs, and a low GPA... maybe I could be accepted. </p>

<p>It's a double-edged sword, to put it succiently.</p>

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<p>Stanford for EA is SCEA: Single Choice Early Action; it means that you will not be able to apply to other EA/ED programs.</p>

<p>Stanford also rejects 50% of SCEA applicants right off the back. SCEA pool is more competitive with higher SATs and GPAs.</p>

<p>Georgetown, on the other hand, does not reject any EA applicants, but defers them instead. So you get two shots at admissions. UChicago is another place where EA is provided, not SCEA. </p>

<p>As for my SATs:
1270 (one sitting; 600 M, 670 V)
1290 (taking scores from two highest: 620 M, 670 V)</p>

<p>You're on the new SATs though.</p>

<p>SAT IIs
720 US Hist
700 Writing
690 Math IC</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (uw), Valedictorian</p>

<p>I would encourage doing internships to help your app a bit because of the scores and your GPA. I interned at my Assemblymember's office (for the state legislature). I also had the opportunity to intern at a law office, but chose to go the political office instead.</p>

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<p>I took SAT II: US History, and Math IC today. However, I regret taking the Math IC today. I paced myself poorly. I've decided to retake that in November, or October. The highest grade will count. The US History, however, I'm pretty confident; for I took the US HISTORY AP test yesturday.</p>

<p>I interned at a Law Firm in the city, for three summers, two winter breaks, and one Regents week. </p>

<p>Okay, so I will apply with EA to Georgetown or UofC. And assumingly I get accepted. Imagine how I would feel if Stanford took me in! </p>

<p>Comparing GU, and UofChicago. UofChicago, I believe is a better choice. What's your opinion?</p>

<p>Impressive GPA. My freshman year average was a 78. I went through a lot growing up through college. Academically, domestically, and socially. I was very timid at that age, and I just took the "beatings" -- so to speak.</p>

<p>I am currently, crawling out of that stage. I boosted my overall average from a 78 to a 85(uw)/88(w) -- it's a start! And for that matter, I am taking all the hardest courses offered in my school. Excluding all science AP courses, with an exeception of Psychology. And physics class is weighing down my GPA, if I did not have that class -- my GPA would be in the low 90s(w)//high 80s perhaps a 90 (uw)</p>

<p>My rank isn't so low, though. I believe I am -- at least -- in the top 25% percent. Maybe, even, in the top 15% -- and 10% is possible.</p>

<p>Let me paint the picture for you, this years graduating class is 300 -- out of the 1100 freshmen.</p>

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<p>Goint to a non-competitive high school helps you tremendously.</p>

<p>Why are you taking the Math IC if you're taking the new SATs? It's almost the same material.</p>

<p>Your internships will look STELLAR on your app; keep those internships going.</p>

<p>Both UChgo and GU are great schools; UChgo is ranked higher than GU though. </p>

<p>Make sure you communicate the problems you've had so the college admissions committee has some concept of who you are.</p>

10

<p>I'm weak in Math, so I prefer 1C over IIC. I rather not take Math, at all. But, most colleges prefer Math as an SAT II. I believe UofChicago does not require SAT IIs.</p>

<p>I prefer going to UofChicago. Based on your opinion, what are my chances?</p>

<p>"Make sure you communicate the problems you've had so the college admissions committee has some concept of who you are." </p>

<p>Good point, I will make sure I will do that in the essay.</p>

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<p>I'm unsure of the admission statistics for the University of Chicago. Check out their website.</p>

12

<p>I was referring to your opinion, not statistics.</p>

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<p>KB88 - I will second the opinion of Eiffelguy about Washington & Lee - especially for your interests and experience - small school - fantastic LAC but seems to have alot along your lines of thinking and apparent uniqueness - at least take a gander at it.</p>

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<p>U of Chicago would be a difficult school for you to be admitted to because numbers wise, it doesn't work out too well; nonetheless, there are always exceptions to the rules.</p>