NYU ED II Steinhardt chances... will chance back!

<p>I am applying Early Decision II to Steinhardt for Public Health (a new program). Here are my stats...</p>

<p>GPA: 3.4 weighted. Incredibly low, I know, but some extenuating circumstances which will be explained in my common app and in counselor rec affected my first semester of freshman year very negatively. Without that first semester, it is about a 3.7 weighted cumulative. </p>

<p>ACT: 30
SAT: Haven't taken yet, expecting a 1900-2150 based on practice tests.</p>

<p>AP/Honors Courses:
-AP Human Geography - sophomore, B/A, 4 on test
-AP Literature - junior, B/C, 5 on test
-AP Psychology - A/A, 4 on test
-English I Honors - freshman, F/A (extenuating circumstances affected F)
-English II Honors - sophomore, B/A
-College Algebra and Trigonometry (dual enrollment course with local college) - senior
-AP Studio Art - senior
-AP Government - senior
-AP Language - senior
-AP Biology - senior </p>

<p>*my senior year courseload is ALL AP/Honors with the exception of newspaper, which I am the editor in chief of.</p>

<p>Extra Curricular: </p>

<ol>
<li>Editor-In-Chief of Newspaper, served on staff 3 years, leadership roles for 2.</li>
<li>Team captain of Speech and Debate, 3 years, leadership roles for 2. Qualified for state all years applicable, and placed the last (junior year). </li>
<li>Link Crew Leader/Peer Mentor, 2 years</li>
<li>National Art Honor Society, 2 years. Organized several community service projects for this surrounding serving children through our art. </li>
<li>Worked with local district's water conservation education initiative and traveled to elementary schools educating fourth graders about how our water cycle works and how we can conserve using child friendly presentations. </li>
<li>Organized hygiene drive to serve metro area domestic violence shelter.</li>
<li>Volunteered with local Democrat organization. Canvassed, make phone calls, mail things, etc.</li>
<li>Work a part-time job as a waitress at about 15 hours a week. </li>
<li>Shadowed a lobbyist </li>
</ol>

<p>Awards:
National AP Scholar </p>

<p>*not much in the way of awards to be honest. i'd have to think about this one a little longer. my school isn't big on awards outside of sports.</p>

<p>School: Good public school in the middle of suburbia. 75% move on to a four year institution, with the majority matriculating to state schools. Occasional kid goes on to a top school (USC, U Chicago, Barnard, NYU, just to name the ones from the class of 2011).</p>

<p>Class profile: Most kids are not very smart. I am above average in my class even with that GPA, and my ACT is through the roof compared to my peers. My school offers a decent amount of AP's and I have taken most of them. </p>

<p>Recommendations: Counselor's should be good and teacher recs should be excellent. I have a lot of teachers I have gotten to know very well that appreciate my work ethic and have a lot to say about how I've matured. </p>

<p>Essay: I can write an incredible essay, not gonna lie. Writing is easily my greatest strength and I am very, VERY clear on why I am choosing NYU and why I'm applying to public health. I think this should help me.</p>

<p>Financial Aid: My parents can shoulder about 60% of the burden. I am applying</p>

<p>White and female. </p>

<p>We are all stressed about apps right now. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and give me honest feedback. I will do the same for your post. I am also applying to BU, American, University of Vermont, George Washington, Syracuse, U Wash in Seattle, and CU Boulder (state school).</p>

<p>Clearly you really know why you want to go NYU Steinhardt, which you will show through essay. Honestly, I think having good english writing skill is such an amazing benefit when applying for Unis. Ur ACT is def. great for Steinhardt, and good course rigor, and ECs.
GPA is a bit low but you have a reason, but since u are doing ED II, u have tons of time to show improvement. Definitely a great shot. Good luck! :)</p>

<p>BU might be a low reach coz of GPA.</p>

<p>Really? I thought BU would be an automatic in for me. It’s less selective than NYU.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback though. I appreciate it! Would you say that Steinhardt is less selective, or rather, more holistic in their application review?</p>

<p>Well if you compare Steinhardt with CAS, Tisch , or Stern, it’s def. less selective. Only because they receive a bit less applicants than the others, hence higher acceptance rate and slightly lower standards. I think you’re rly good for Steinhardt but again, I dont know too much about Steinhardt. I am sure someone else on this forum can confirm. =)</p>

<p>several of my friends have gotten in through RD with stats not as strong as yours, I say you have fair shot, as long as your circumstances can very well explain your GPA.</p>

<p>I think you have a good shot. Rock the essay, make sure the reason for your grades 1st semester freshmen year comes across, and you’ll be competitive.</p>