<p>HIGHSCHOOL
GPA: 3.7
ACT: 29
College classes taken while in highschool (33 hours) GPA: 3.2</p>
<p>COLLEGE:
35 hours GPA: 2.59
(Sob story) 2 weeks into my freshman year Sept 11 happened. It affected me to say the least. I lost any motivation. College work felt so unfulfilling. I was pretty depressed and just plain lost. Luckily I realized I needed to do something to make a difference in the world. I walked into an Air Force recruiting office and 3 weeks later I was in basic training.</p>
<p>MILITARY:
Defense Language Institute (45 hours in Arabic) GPA: 4.0
Graduated with a 3/3/2 as scored by the DLPT (Reading/Listening/Speaking)
4 years Airborne Arabic Cryptologic Linguist
Topsecret Security Clearance
I have been deployed and flown combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan
I have recieved many top honors and medals</p>
<p>I know that my highschool and college "stats" are nowhere near the Georgetown standards. It is hard to explain how impressive a 4.0 at DLI is. It is pretty unheard of. The washout rate was around 30-40%. And, the intensive cousework was coupled with the many military obligations. I worked really hard. But, I also really loved learning the Arabic language and still do. That is why I want to study at the best Arabic department in the country. I guess other than that, I didn't really know that much more about Georgetown. I came here and have been looking through some other "what are my chances" posts, and I am seeing these outstanding kids and THEY are worried. So now, I am thinking that my dream of learning at Georgetown is going to be harder to realize than I thought.</p>
<p>My real question is is there an X-factor when it comes to Georgetown Applicants? I know in other institutions there can be but, is Georgetown better than that? If there is an X-factor could I have it?
Thankyou, Sara</p>
<p>I think you definitely have a chance. There was another thread in here somewhere about former military personnel applying, and the general concensus was that the experiences you have in the military are worth more than any SAT score can show. Many hope a degree from the SFS will get them a career into intelligence; you did that one without one. </p>
<p>
[quote]
4 years Airborne Arabic Cryptologic Linguist
[/quote]
If they just look at these words, they'll probably accept you. I was frightened when I read them; it sounds very formidable. Haha. ;-)</p>
<p>I know I already posted, but I had one more thought. Haha.
[quote]
Defense Language Institute (45 hours in Arabic) GPA: 4.0
Graduated with a 3/3/2 as scored by the DLPT (Reading/Listening/Speaking)
[/quote]
Make sure you stress somewhere on your application how good those scores are; most people don't know anything about the Defense Language Proficiency Test. Just mention how rare a 4.0 is (but don't sound conceited) and explain the DLPT goes from 0+ to 3 (and thus, you got top scores); the IAR defines a 3 as "able to use the language to satisfy professional needs in a wide range of sophisticated and demanding tasks."</p>
<p>Georgetown likes interesting stories and yours definitely fits. If you can allay any fears they may have about being able to perform college level work in a variety of subjects, you should be set.</p>
<p>I do know of a few prior service guys at Georgetown, including one who was a Marine scout sniper, although it's not quite as prevalent as at other places for obvious reasons (People who can afford/would choose to go to Georgetown usually don't elist).</p>
<p>Do you have any suggestions on what I can do between now and application time (When exactly is that for fall07?) to make myself look better? Also, I am deploying in a week. I can CLEP some classes over there. There is actually a litte down time. I just dont know if it is worth it.</p>
<p>If you can, get recommendations from your superiors in the field -- those would be very impressive.</p>
<p>CLEP classes if you can, and send those in (even if you complete them after application time, just send them in. There's months between when you turn in your application and when you get your letter, and you're encouraged to send material like that in if you have it).</p>
<p>Schedule an interview, if possible; there are Georgetown alumni in every corner of the globe. </p>
<p>Start asking the DLI and military to fax the necessary transcripts, info, etc as soon as possible (because this <em>is</em> the federal government we're talking about). </p>
<p>And if you want to be very clever, stamp a big red "CLASSIFIED" on your application envelope. Haha.</p>
<p>Good luck. Make sure you stay active on CC until you recieve your letter -- because I'm curious. Haha. </p>
<p>I posted this in the financial aid thread as well. But, since I already have your attention....</p>
<p>I am planning on going back to college in fall07. I will be a veteran so does that mean I will be considered an independant for FAFSA? </p>
<p>Otherwise, I turn 24 in April07, and will be getting married in April07 as well. I am supposed to fill out FAFSA as soon as possible, right? If so, I can't wait till April07. Will my financial aid be calculated according to my status the day I fill out the form, or would they want me to tell them when I got married so they can change the numbers?</p>
<p>I am thinking all of these factors will greatly change my financial aid, although I don't realize how yet.</p>
<p>Also, I have one last question for now. I will qualify for the Mongomery GI bill. Is that calculated before or after FAFSA. For example, if FAFSA says I should have to pay 10,000 a year, is that before or after MGIB. I think MGIB pays out w little over 6,000 for two full semesters (although this is all really confusing, too). So, of course I am really hoping MGIB has nothing to do with FAFSA and would be considered my own financial input. </p>
<p>This is really confusing. You are awesome if you have any answers. Thanks, Sara</p>
<p>Yes, you are considered an independent due to your service in the armed forces.</p>
<p>Your financial status will be calculated once your 1040, W-2s and etc. have all been processed by the financial aid office.</p>
<p>In addition to the FAFSA, you must also submit the CSS Profile, which is a more detailed, institutionalized (College-Board) version of the FAFSA. If you are unsatisfied with your aid package, you can always appeal to the financial aid office, especially in light of the fact that you are planning on getting married and that significantly changes finances.</p>
<p>Don't quote me on this, but I believe the GI Bill will probably kick in after EFC et al., have been calculated. That means, once Georgetown calculates your financial aid based on income and a number of other factors, your EFC (expected financial contribution) will be kicked down a couple of notches by the GI Bill. But you may want to ask a financial aid specialist about that.</p>
<p>I just wanted to let you know (for encouragement) that I am an army sergeant who was accepted for fall semester even though my GPA was dismal (around 3.2). I believe that the strong military cooperation and respect for the armed services helped me when I would have otherwise failed to gain acceptance.</p>
<p>sara321, you've got greate chances of getting into GU. i'm also a DLI grad, Korean, and will be attending GU this fall. you're essay is going to be extremely important as well as your letters of rec. </p>
<p>GU requires SAT scores for transfers; since you've will have been in the military for 4 years after 2 years of college, check with GU if you can use your old scores or will they require you to retake the tests. </p>
<p>you will be considered an independent for finaid due to veteran status; your GI bill will be combined with your EFC.</p>
<p>Instead of creating a new thread I will just piggyback off my original again. Also. I saw a similar post from a very similar prospective student, so these older posts might help her out.</p>
<p>Here is my new question. I just took the SAT. I took the ACT 5 years ago, so I thought some colleges might want something more up to date. I had never taken the SAT before. I scored a 1360 and a 2020. I am proud, but they are not that great for Georgetown, right? </p>
<p>Would it serve me to submit this score to Georgetown? Would it hurt me?</p>
<p>I should add that I dont have to send anything according to the website.</p>
<p>From Georgetown website--
"Transfer applicants who have been out of high school for 5 years or longer do not have to submit SAT/ACT scores."</p>
<p>That would apply to me. However, I took the SAT because I felt that I have been out of the classroom for so long that they might worry I had forgotten how to do basic math and read. So, in that case would a 1360 help me? Or, is a 1360 so bad that it would actually hurt more to send than to not send anything?</p>
<p>I'm so glad I found this thread! Sara, I saw your thread on nspeds Georgetown thread in Transfer Students. </p>
<p>I wish that I had found this thread prior to turning my application in though. There are a lot of things I might have changed. </p>
<p>I imagine that you've already applied but it would be really cool to talk to you about specifics. Send me a PM!</p>
<p>It's great to hear that so many non-traditional military people from DLI got into Georgetown. It renews my hope but I'm still completely scared that my less than 4.0 will keep me out. </p>
<p>hi smiledarling!
It is nice to know there are others like us out there. It was really hard to figure a lot of this stuff out. This forum helps. I searched and searched for anything close to my situation before posting this thread. It was my hope that it could help someone else out.</p>
<p>Are you applying to SFS or college? I am applying to the college as an Arabic major.</p>
<p>I'm applying to SFS as a culture and politics major. Even if I wanted to continue my language (Pashto) they don't offer it at Georgetown so that's a moot point. </p>
<p>Where else are you applying to? I'm assuming you've already turned your application in. What did you learn through it? I know I've learned a lot.</p>