I’m not sure if anyone will see this, but if you do PLEASE try to give me some insight in where I stand in regard for admission.
Stats:
Applying for Junior transfer
GPA: 3.95
Major: History
Minor: Political Science
Current College: Caldwell University, small four-year school in New Jersey
HS GPA: 2.7
Extracurricular Activities:
-History Honor Society
-Tutor at Caldwell’s tutoring center for Sociology, Anthropology, and History
-Community Service Volunteer fraternity member
-One of two applicants accepted in to the Scholar’s Program at the end of my Freshman year
-Member of the Socio-Political Club
-Member of the Film Club
-Part-Time House Painter since the 7th grade
-Worked in a Turkish Kebab House as a busboy during this past summer
Recommendations:
-Very very strong recommendation from the Sociology Department Chairwomen
-Very very strong recommendation from the History/Political Science Department Chairmen
-Very very strong recommendation from a two semester long history professor
Essays:
-I have been told they are very strong by my English professor as well as friends and family. Not to to sound obnoxious or weird but I am a good writer.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
Got accepted to NYU with similar stats, in fact maybe less - plus I was a junior admit, so I think it’s definitely within reach for you.
Thanks for the comment @collegealpaca I really appreciate it! is there anymore tips you could add for me to take into consideration?? I’m really look for anything, what was your essay focused on? and did you like NYU?
@stephenvan Unfortunately, I wound up not accepting NYU’s offer of admission after visiting the campus. It was a wonderful campus, and I enjoyed it - but not to the extent of the price tag. Still, it’s a wonderful school for those who can afford it!
I’m not sure about tips at this point - unless you’re planning to apply next year! I didn’t do much, I actually got the submission date wrong and rushed everything two weeks in advance.
My “What can NYU offer you, and what can you offer NYU?” I started off very generic–how I’d always wanted to travel to New York. Then I transitioned into my experience in Prague, where I attended an awesome conference hosted by NYU. That more or less affected my major decision, as well as influenced my research presentation I eventually did two years later at a local conference that was based also in my family history (the Holocaust). It was a very personal essay that focused a lot on globalization and international relations, how NYU was particularly suited to such an international goal, and concluded with a list of my personal background, emphasizing how outgoing, daring, etc I am and just letting some flowery language go in advocacy of NYU! I think they liked that. Make it personal and passionate, and I think you’ll be golden. 
@collegealpaca I REALLY appreciate the insight. I’m going to tweak my essay a little more with your advice. Could you tell me specifically what your GPA was? and what kind of extra curricular activities you had? I’m just really curious on how I stand up haha. Also if you don’t mind saying where did you end up going?
@stephenvan It’s no problem! I’m happy to help, especially since I do love NYU. Haha, we’d be a great fit in another life.
My GPA is a 4.0. For EC’s, I did a lot of stuff very specific to me and my interests. It’s a hodgepodge of stuff…
- Academic Conference Presenter (3 Years); I won an award for my paper and presentation in the undergraduate category!
- Debate Team Captain (1 Semester); it's an intramural thing, but I was Captain, did win Best Speaker, and my team placed second overall.
- Assistant (2 Years); I'm a contract worker who gets hired by CEO's to start up's; so my duties have run the gamut.
- Mentor (2 Years); mentoring is basically tutoring about life skills (and sometimes actual tutoring).
- Retail (4 Years); I run a shopping service/import goods to sell that can't be found in the USA (or other markets), part-time.
- Service (Farm) (3 Years); I did farm work on weekdays and weekends, but also did a lot of farmers market work!
- Tax Assistant (1 Semester); meh. Prepared taxes for people who can't afford it; got training and everything. Could've excluded probably.
- Swim Volunteer (2 Years); I do pretty extensive hours once/twice a month at a beach helping disabled peoples--veterans, people with autism, etc--to swim. I have certification as a lifeguard and for CPR and first aid.
I also included in my activities section that I was a caretaker to some members of my family, to explain why I did a lot of remote work. As well as that one of my “fun” hobbies is learning design, graphic-making, code-writing, video-editing, etc.
I had a few other acceptances–none of which I accepted. I’ve filed for taking a year break, am applying and we’ll see in a few months!
You have a good shot, but do you have 70K and/or family in the city? As a transfer, you won’t get housing, and retnts can easily be $1,200 a month for a room in an apartment (and DO visit and check, since some walk in closets are rented as rooms, but have no window and only a bed and a desk!)
@MYOS1634 is that really true? I did research and say that other people posting on here got housing as transfers.
Yes. Unfortunately, it’s really true.
Freshmen get first pick. Then returning students. Then whatever’s left is for transfers. They renovated a building to create more dorm space but it’s still not sufficient and transfers still get last pick. In addition, unlike the $300 housing deposit elsewhere, your deposit will be $1,000.
@collegealpaca @MYOS1634 oh okay I’m going to still apply but I’m definitely going to have to take this into account if I do get in. Do you know anything about whether or not a school like NYU gives you any edge when applying to graduate school compared to a school like CUNY Hunter?
What is the probable graduate field of study?
@happymomof1 it would be law
For law school, your GPA, LSAT score, and letters of recommendation will matter a lot more than the place where you go to college. NYU won’t give you much of a boost (if any) over Hunter, and even if you aren’t a NY state resident, Hunter will be waaaaaaay cheaper than NYU. Save that money for law school.
I think you have a good chance. Are your parents fine with paying $70k per year?
@mom2collegekids that is 70k a year if I get literally no financial aid from NYU or the federal government. I’m okay with taking on debt to go to a top school considering I went to a cheaper and not as good school for two years in order to save money for a transfer. Do you think the connections, programs, and living in New York City is worth the price tag NYU has? Or would I be better off attending Hunter college or another CUNY? Thanks so much for your advice!