So, here’s the deal, I’m currently a junior wanting to attend to a school with a good International Relations/Economic/Public Policy program, the only problem is how to get in. I’d love to attend Georgetown (School of Foreign Service) or Princeton. I’m also interested in attending NYU Abu Dhabi in order to receive my undergraduate education as well. I plan to dual major in International Relations and Business/Economics with a minor in Arabic. My hope is to get a job in Foreign Service or National Security. Here are my stats:
Current Course Load: Honors Physics, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, Honors Pre-Calculus, Government, Latin III.
Unweighted GPA: 3.81
Weighted GPA: 4.33
ACT Score: 30 (This was my first try, I plan on taking it again)
Class Rank: Top 10%-- 60/720, but that is subject to change of course
Extracurriculars: Varsity Football, Varsity Track, Officer in School Cultural Club, Tutor at local elementary school, Self taught in Arabic (hope to study abroad in Oman this summer via scholarship), work around 20 hours a week at Old Navy.
It might be helpful to note that I am a African American male, and that I am a quadruplet as well, which is something that is good essay fodder–if you catch my drift. Any estimation of my chances of getting into the three schools I listed or even suggestions for other schools would be greatly appreciated.
Your academics and ACT score are really good, and your extracurricular activities are pretty good too. I can see, based on your CV, you are a diligent student with a broad range of interest. But the universities you are applying to are one of the best in the world (I don’t know about Georgetown though). It really depends on your essay.
NYU AD’s acceptance rate is only 4% (lowest in the WORLD), and students reject Harvard to go there. As for Princeton, it is an Ivy League, for one, and it is an undergraduate-centric university so you can assume that its the best among the Ivy League in undergraduate program, or even the world.
Remember, the admission officer is going to judge based on your CV and essay, so you must put a lot of effort and thought to it. Avoid cliche topics, and focus on how you developed, and your personality. Don’t focus too much on your anecdote (if you do insert one), unless it is really really REALLY unique and interesting.
Being a URM helps, and the quadruplet thing is pretty snazzy, but you need to raise your ACT to at least a 32…maybe a 33-34 to have a good chance at these schools. If you’re a recruited athlete, that would increase your chances too, so email the coaches, and try to set up an overnight visit sometime next fall. If you’re interested in IR, also try looking into JHU; they have one of the best programs in the country. good luck mate!
I agree with u/fortuitous about the ACT score. You have absolutely no chance at Princeton and Georgetown is an extremely high reach. I have no clue about NYU Abu Dhabi, but if it is more competitive than the NYU in NYC then I don’t think your chances are particularly good either. I think you’d have a decent shot with your current stats at the main NYU campus and at schools such as GWU (which happens be very good in the programs you’re interested in). If you raised your ACT to a 33+ (which is pretty much the golden number for top schools), I think you’d have a reasonable shot at Georgetown. Princeton will always be a reach because it’s Princeton, but a 33 would give you at a least a shot, especially as an URM.
idk if this is true, but i’ve heard some people say georgetown isn’t financially worth it for the amount a student can learn… look into it though. my cousin went there and seemed to be fine, and now he’s studying law in nyc
Btw, have you heard of the US Youth Senate Program? You seem like you’d be interested in that if you’re thinking IR/Public Policy. Plus, you would know of your acceptance into the program before applying for colleges. I’m doing it this year and am super excited!
