NYU Stern Questions

Applying to College
1

<p>I am currently a sophomore in the one of the most competitive private high schools in California, and have roughly a 3.8 GPA, unweighted. (I am currently enrolled in two honors classes: Algebra 2 Honors, and Biology Honors.) As a sophomore class, we took a PLAN test in October 2008, which is sort of a pre-ACT. I scored a 26, and it said by the time I take the ACT as a junior, my estimated score would be around a 30. Now, enough about my stats. I am taking Mandarin Chinese 2, and got a solid A first semester, and currently have an A this semester. I was highly recommended to take Mandarin 3 Honors next year, which I will, along with Precalc Honors. </p>

<p>So, my questions are: Does taking Chinese and showing skill and proficiency affect my chances of admission to an Undergraduate Business school, especially when the Chinese language is showing signs of becoming the language of the future?</p>

<p>And, I have been offered an opportunity to intern with Best Buy in Shanghai during the summer of entering my senior year, which I will probably take up. Would this affect my chances at Stern, by setting myself apart and showing an earnest passion in a particular area of interest?</p>

<p>Also: How important are sophomore year grades, compared to Junior and first-semester Senior grades? This year has not been my best, unfortunately, with a lot happening (which I know is no excuse, therefore I will not use it as such.)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>-kb</p>

2

<p>I would appreciate any response.</p>

3

<p>As long as neither of those come off as resume padding and you make it clear why you did them and that you were “passionate,” those should help you. As for grades, Junior and Senior are certainly more important than Sophomore grades.</p>

4

<p>Sophomore grades - important; can be a good buffer/foundation if anything bad happens in junior year.</p>

<p>Junior grades - believed to be most important(?), but many students see their grades drop this year since it’s generally when they are busy with tons of EC’s, AP/IB/honor classes, and, of course, studying for the SATs. </p>

<p>First term senior grades - don’t slack off and hold off senioritis till second term. All the colleges see these grades and many consider them during admissions. Unless you plan to do ED/EA and are certain that you’ll get accepted (don’t know why you would), you should continue working hard first term senior year.</p>

<p>Overseas internships will help definitely, as will other EC’s. You’ll need to show/explain this interest of yours in international business (I’m assuming) and how all that you did connect to this interest. But from my experience this year, I think gpa is quite an important factor for Stern admissions…though everything else need to be on par too.</p>