NYU alum discussing school/admissions

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
61

<p>jwblue,
what do you think about my chances at stern ED? thanks</p>

<p>unweighted 3.65
weighted 3.85
school does not give rank, but very competitive</p>

<p>sat 1320 (740M 580V)
670 sat ii chem
660 sat ii ic
650 sat ii writing
excellent counselor rec, good teacher rec
pretty good essay (talk about business experience)</p>

<p>ec (only major ones)
columbia summer program 2 years (1 year took business course)
national youth leadership forum
sport captain
research class 4 years
music</p>

<p>awards (major ones only)
poem published/invited to FL to read poem and receive award
1st place spanish competitions (3)
national spanish honor society
record placed on national honor roll
1st place music competitions</p>

62

<p>jwblue - please read your private messages</p>

63

<p>JWblue:</p>

<p>Can you tell me anything regarding your experience with the history dept, your experience with the accessibility of the history professors at NYU, as well as the writing intensity of the courses you undertook? Secondly, can you tell me anything regarding TA's and upper level seminars? Also, regarding admissions, I applied to NYU last semester as a transfer and was offered a small trustee scholarship but had to turn them down for a variety of reasons. I am reapplying for the spring and have spoken to a counselor in CAS who stated that my readmittance was likely, but I would have to be compared to the pool. I have a low SAT score, but very high college grades, and great recommendations. Any thoughts? </p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

64

<p>Tell me what you think of my chances jwblue. Thanks</p>

<p>SAT: 780 Math 720 Verbal (1500); highest of 3 times( got mid 1400's in others)
SAT II: 750 math IIC; 700 WRiting, 700 Biology-E; 730 History
AP: 5 AP Lang/Composition; 4 US History</p>

<p>GPA: weighted(5.2)
unweighted(3.75)
Rank: unknown( at least top 10%) My high school J.P. Stevens is one of the top public schools in NJ.</p>

<p>Extracurricular/Honors:
2005 National Merit Seminfinalist(227 score) will found out later if im a finalist.
BRIDGES(tutoring program)- head tutor all 4 years.
UNITY- secretary for 3 years; raised money for abortion causes
Key Club- member for 3 years
Volunteered at the Veterans Home for nearly 300 hours
Volunteered at JFK Hospital for nearly 150 hours
Editor in chief of Veterans HOme Newspaper for 3 years
Staff writer....for 3 years
Spanish Honors Society
Stock Club( all 4 years)
Morgan Stanley Scholarship award winner
Morgan Stanley internship for nearly 2 years</p>

<p>Thats about it....these are the activities most important to me. My recs. should be good and my essay reveals something about me that wasnt in the app( how my dad and I do handiwork "prjects" together; we built an extension to our house, etc...) I would really appreciate it if you tell me of my chances at ED at NYU Stern. Thanks alot.</p>

65

<p>I have a question for jwblue. What specifically do you think sets NYU apart from other similar schools? Obviously the academics are great and the location can't be beat, but what else is there that makes NYU distinctive from other similar institutions in the northeast?</p>

66

<p>thank you sooo much!!!</p>

67

<p>Johnst,</p>

<p>Your SATs are litte on the low side, but its good you are applying early. </p>

<p>Your ECs look good, and I think you have a decent shot.</p>

68

<p>Politics,</p>

<p>I only minored in history (didn't major in it). I took some really great classes though, and generally had good experience with the profs. One really cool course was on the Russian Empire (taught by the then president of NYU-LJ Oliva-who'd even meet with students personally to discuss term papers or just about anything else). I also took a great class on the Federalist papers, taught by a prof. very reknowned in American History. Another interesting class was on Cold War espionage. These courses all seemed very research and writing intensive, and some even a had just a final paper instead of an exam. </p>

<p>Most profs hold office hours, and are pretty accessible, especially if you make even a slight effort to catch them. I didn't really have any TA's in upper level courses, though I'm some may teach such (remember I was only a history minor, and hence took less classes than the majors). </p>

<p>Good luck in the application process.</p>

69

<p>Kingz,</p>

<p>You have a really good chance....you're all around competitive. I reallly can't see any weakness on you app, great grades and scores, and deep ECs (a lot of volunteer work!). </p>

<p>If you get in, I suggest you pick Hayden as your freshmen dorm (ED people have a choice)...its the best one.</p>

70

<p>CEM,</p>

<p>NYU combines great academics and facilities in a location that rivals just about any. Yeah Columbia has that too, but its in Harlem...hehe. That being said, what really makes NYU distinctive I say, was that it was such a fun place for 4 years of college. The kids and profs are super smart, but the atmosphere is so laid back (I partied my a$$ off and still got okay grades). </p>

<p>Something else that makes NYU very distinctive is that is prepares one for the real world in a way few if any, other colleges can. When you're living in a way that blends you to a place like NY, it forces you to be independent, aggressive, and builds character. You'll learn both in and outside of the classroom...and that really enhances your college experience in my opinion.</p>

71

<p>Hello jwblue,</p>

<p>Please tell me what you think of my chances!
Scale (0-100%)</p>

<p>Early Decision Applicant: Gallatin School of Individualized Study</p>

<p>attending a public high school in New Jersey
although, it's not the best (by the way, Tenafly High School is #1 in N.J. and our school is near Tenafly; i think our school was ranked 6th in the state) it's one of the best high schools in the state.
pretty competitive</p>

<p>G.P.A.: 3.2
it is a low G.P.A. however i went from a failing student to an all A student. a BIG improvement. </p>

<p>Freshman: 2.6
Sophomore: 3
Junior: 3.6-3.7
Senior year: well i am applying early so...does it matter?</p>

<p>However, only 3 AP classes though...my counselor FORCED me to drop two AP classes i do not know why but i trust her so...</p>

<p>SAT1:
verbal: 620
math: 680
composite: 1300 (low...)</p>

<p>SATII:
this is yet another problem...
i have taken only one SATII which was Math I C: 720
will be taking Writing in Nov</p>

<p>E.C.:
Volunteered at a prison in Ayacucho, Peru (South America) through C.S.S. program
Founded a counseling organization which helps North Korean refugees in China
Volunteered in China helping North Korean refugees with a Japanese N.G.O.
Volunteered at local hospital for over 150 hours (emergency room)
Kendo (Japanese martial arts): black-belt and won several nationals ex. E. U.S. championships
and i am also an instructor of beginner Kendo classes</p>

<p>Work experience
Worked as an intern for Excelite Inc. in Ohio
Worked as a (humble lol) factory worker in Guangzhou, China</p>

<p>I took Business Calculus at New York University last summer and received an A-</p>

<p>An excellent counselor rec (this i guarantee)
A decent teacher rec from my Japanese class teacher
and an excellent teacher rec from my former NYU class instructor (does this help?)</p>

<p>Most important part of my app...the essay!
I wrote an amazing essay about the experiences while in China helping North Korean refugees often risking my life</p>

<p>My possible concentration(s): well i stated that i would want to major in Social Work, a foreign language (possibly Russian), and economics etc..but i think social work is the one that i really want to major in.</p>

<p>do i have any chance to Gallatin?...</p>

<p>how difficult is Gallatin anyway?</p>

<p>i already submitted so...hoping for the best...</p>

72

<p>Hey jwblue thanks for all your insights..
i'm an international student and want to apply to Stern..hope u can share some of your thoughts.</p>

<p>Here are my stats..
I'm from Indonesia, but am a German citizen coz i was born there.
Effectively quad-lingual. Take Chinese and English courses in school, speak Indonesian at home. Took German for my SATII.</p>

<p>School system: studying under the British A Level system
Course Load: taking English, Economics, Math and History
Class rank: Not available. But school is top ranked nationally, students are within the top 5% of the national level.
Grades: I haven't taken the A Level exams yet, teachers predicting As for all my subjects though. Already took the Chinese exam and got an A.
For my O Level (10th Grade) exams, I had 8As and 1B</p>

<p>SAT Verbal: 760
SAT Math: 710
SATII Writing: 730
SATII German: 770
SATII Math IC: 760
SATII Math IIC: 720 </p>

<p>EC:
I'm no jack of all trades, spent almost all my time training martial arts competitively.
I also breakdance in my free time, and performed in 2 public performances this year.</p>

<p>Achievements:
Won the national championships with my school team twice, placed 3rd twice.
Won gold individually twice, this year and last year, in a competition which saw competitors from around 10 countries taking part.
Obtained medals in various other competitions</p>

<p>Leadership positions:
Chairman of my tutorial class
Manager for my school's junior team</p>

<p>Volunteer work/Internships:
Almost none.. bits of volunteer work. Kinda too caught up with studying and training.</p>

<p>So what do you think?
thanks for your time..</p>

73

<p>KJayson,</p>

<p>Your grades and SAT are on the low side, but this doesn't have to be fatal. The upward trend in your grades is a great sign and should be a focus in your app. Applying early was also a smart move.</p>

<p>You have some ivery nteresting activities and what appears to be stong reccs (esp. from the NYU prof., that can certainly help), so theses do work out in your favor. All in all, you've got a decent shot despite the academic record; be sure to write a great essay.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

74

<p>Ath,</p>

<p>You've got some steller stats and a great chance I think. </p>

<p>There are many international students at NYU, and you seem to be the type of international student that NYU seeks..someone who'd be a future leader. </p>

<p>The martial arts thing might be your niche...I think NYU has a martial arts team that competes against other colleges, call the school to inquire about this if its something you are intersted in.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

75

<p>I called the admissions office and they told me that it is possible to change my anticipated school from Gallatin to Social Work...now I don't know what to do...should i just apply to Gallatin or Social Work?...jwblue said that i have a decent shot despite my low scores...</p>

<p>ok seriously, do i have better chance to Social Work or Gallatin? you told me that Stern/CAS are equally competitive...but never mentioned about Gallatin and Social Work. because i can take social work courses at either college, i want to apply to the one that is bit easier than the other.</p>

<p>thank you...i am so confused now</p>

<p>oh jwblue. i also practiced Japanese martial arts (Kendo) since i was 10 and won several nationals in Korea, Japan, and the U.S. if this is a plus...how can i highlight it? i know martial arts isn't like football...but if there is a martial arts club at NYU can i contact them?</p>

76

<p>KJ,</p>

<p>I am of the opinion you made the correct decision in applying to Gallatin. A person with your background and varied interests is of the type that Gallatin seeks. Gallatin is basically tailored to people like you want to study who a number of different disciplines and it will allow you design your own concentration to fit your needs and preferences. </p>

<p>I can't say which you'd have a better shot at, they are probably both equally competitive. Also, the School of Social Work at NYU is very small and a very niche school. In my 4 years at NYU, I don't think I ever met anyone who attended the School of Social Work...I'm being very serious, its a niche school that really seems to be separated from the rest of the undergrad. Gallatin will afford you a better opportunity to persue your varied interests. I think you made the right decision as to where to apply and should not second guess yourself, but thats just me. </p>

<p>Contact the school regarding the martial arts..and you'll want to highlight that if you hadn't done so on the app.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

77

<p>i know NYU doesn't want mid-year reports.....do they call for first-quarter grades?
thanks</p>

78

<p>i would guess that depends on when the quarter ends at your high school</p>

79

<p>thanks for replying, btw i also have a few questions regarding international applicants..
1)are our applications evaluated together with other applicants' from the same country and high school?
2)does NYU have an unofficial quota per country or school?
3)if NYU does group applicants into their respective countries, are students grouped according to the country from where they permanently reside in or the country where they are schooling in? Cos my family stays in Indonesia while i'm studying in Singapore, and i'd like to know how this will affect my application.
thanks again for your help! =)</p>

80

<p>Wait, NYU doesn't want Midyear reports? That's part of the Commonapp, should I just not submit it then?</p>