Please chance me for American University

Colleges and Universities A-Z American University
1

Applying: ED

Sex: M

Ethnicity: Hispanic

Race: White

State: Texas

Socioeconomic background: Lower middle class/working class

Other: Gay, Bilingual, and Roman Catholic

SAT (Take 1): 1200

SAT (Take 2): TBD

High School: Early College HS with College Curriculum integrated in order to receive an AA with our local community college upon HS graduation.

Letters of Recommendation (Undecided on Finalized ones):

-Government Professor (Tx Gov, Fed Gov, Intro to PolySci, and Mex-Am Politics)

-Old Chemistry Teacher and Student Council Advisor

-Old World History Teacher and MUN Advisor/Mock Trial Coach/Junior Politicians Advisor

-Guidance Counselor

-Community College General Counsel (Yale/Stanford Law Alum)

-Local State Representative (For whom I work for as a Legislative Aide)

Displayed Interests:
I have called their offices and have an admission Interview scheduled. I have also participated in a webinar and attended a Regional Informational Session.

Positive Transcript Trend

Rank: 12/93 (13th Percentile) (Subject to Change by Fall) (I am taking an additional college course over ALL of my peers)

Unweighted GPA: 94.67 (Subject to Change by Fall)

Weighted GPA: 102.17 or 4.16 (On a 4.0 Scale) (Subject to Change by Fall)

College GPA: 3.8 (Out of 4.0)

College Credits: 52 (62 by Graduation; I will receive an AA)

Extracurriculars:

-Student Council (4 Years; Representative, Parliamentarian, Treasurer, Freshman Class President, Vice President, and President (Going into my 2nd term) (I lead a constitutional convention)

-Model United Nations (4 years; Committee Chair: First ever award recipient; Secretary-General)

-Junior Politicians (3 years; President and Founder: Hosted GOTV events and Candidates’ Forums)

-Mock Trial (4 years; Timekeeper; Witness; Lawyer)

-Texas State House Intern (1 year)

-There are More…

Intended Major(s):

Political Science and International Studies with a minor in Arabic Studies

Tell me if there needs to be more included. Thank you!

2

Bump.

3

I think your ec’s are outstanding and relate well to your intended major. Class rigor and GPA are also good. Your SAT is low - below the 25%. I would work on pulling it up or go test optional. AU does not consider rank at all. They are very firm on this - I know rank is a huge deal in Texas. Keep up the contact with AU as it one of the top three criteria. Texas is higher in their admittance pool of students so I don’t think that will be a “hook”. AU is very committed to the LGBTQ community even having a dorm that is gender neutral - you can room with whomever you choose male, female or non-binary regardless of your gender identity. Their second most represented population is Hispanic, so I’m not sure if that will be a consideration. From everything I’ve read essays are very important to them and they often comment about the essays in acceptance letters. Make sure you answer the additional essays questions and tailor your essays to show how you fit with AU and will contribute to their student body. The acceptance rate for RD is 35%, so it’s difficult to put a % on how likely you are to get in. Research what they are looking for and highlight those qualities on your application.

4

I would say your chances are excellent. 1200 SAT is not too low for American U. If American is your first choice, definitely apply ED. Acceptance rate for ED was 87% last year vs 32% for RD

5

Actually 1200 is low for American according to college simply a score between 1140 to 1230 puts AU as a Reach school with a 16%-24% chance to get in. So it would be better to go test optional than to submit that score. The reason is if they don’t have your score then they don’t have to factor it in their rankings. So it makes the overall scores higher for them. I was at the Honors Scholarship presentation at Preview Day and they said you can apply for scholarships test optional too. I am very happy that AU offers test optional as the SAT and ACT are an inaccurate measure of ability for many students. Daydreamers excellent EC’s, Rigor and GPA will be what gets him in to AU. The essay will play a big role also. @Daydreamer2018 feel free to pm me for specific advice. I have researched AU extensively for my son. I don’t know how helpful your guidance counselors are but after you re-take the SAT if you are trying to decide between test optional or submitting a test score I would check with your GC and especially your AU rep as they can give good advice on which is the best way to apply. By no means is a low SAT going to “kill” your chances, but you want to make sure that you present yourself in the best way possible for each school on your application.

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@eastcoastrower @sahmkc Thank you so much for your help and advice I appreciate it. And according to the AU website and admissions office, my SAT score is actually just outside the middle 50% range (1210-1370). I don’t know if that is to my benefit. I registered to retake it this Saturday, but sadly Hurricane Harvey has forced my testing center to cancel it. I do believe my essays are stellar and my letters of recommendations are perfect for the school. I really do hope to be accepted. Thank you so much you guys, I have learned so much.

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@Daydreamer2018 I hope you stay safe! Sorry to hear about your test being canceled. Best of luck to you.

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I just took my ACT and feel pretty good about it. I am taking the SAT make-up this upcoming Saturday. Wish me luck!

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Good luck! I’m so glad you came back to give us an update. I had been thinking about you with all of the hurricane news on TV! Sometimes one test format is just better for a person, so it’s great that you took the ACT.

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Update: ACT Scores sucked. August SAT was over 100 points worse. I do not know what happened, but I guess I peaked with the 1200. I am really worried that schools I sent my scores to will look badly upon me.

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I am sorry to hassle anyone, but I feel really bad and just need some suggestions. I scored a 1200 in June and a 1080 in “Aug.” I don’t want to have any excuses or blame anything, but I actually took in September after the Hurricane and had a lot going on. I since re registered for the October one and am praying for a 1230. I do not know how I can practice.

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@Daydreamer2018, I just want to say hang in there and good luck!!

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we are also still waiting on our new ranks and GPAs, I am likely somewhere in the range of #9-#11. And my GPA is likely somewhere near a 4.30 or higher.

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What do you all think @sahmkc @eastcoastrower ?

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Should test optional be my only real option?

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@Daydreamer2018, is your family able to pay the full cost at American? A significant consideration for many people, and the test scores could impact your likelihood of merit aid if you don’t qualify for need-based aid.

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@Daydreamer2018 Test scores do not impact your merit aid or financial aid eligibility according to AU. In fact you can apply for the honors program ($30,000 merit) and the Fredrick Douglas (full ride) scholarship test optional. So I think if AU is your top choice apply ED test optional. In the meantime apply to a state school with rolling admissions ASAP. Then if your financial aid package is not affordable for your family, you have another aid package in which to compare when you speak to AU about the aid being insufficient. The only out to a binding ED is financial and colleges know this, so despite what others say you can speak with AU’s financial aid office to see if you can get a better aid package or you can decline acceptance.

Also it is not an unusual thing for test scores to fluctuate depending on the circumstances around the test taking. Sometimes you just have an off day. My son’s highest ACT was his second one, his third dropped 3 points. It was just an off day for him during a stressful 2nd semester of his Junior year.

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UPDATE: My rank went up one to 11/92 or the Top 12%. My GPA is now a 105.06 or a 4.30 on a 4.0 scale and my highest SAT score is a 1200. However, I am taking it again this Saturday. I am hoping for a 1250 or so… God willing. I am for sure applying ED I and have scheduled an interview in two weeks.

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Good luck on your SAT this weekend. The scores should be available online in time for you to make the decision on whether to go test optional or not. But honestly at ED1 I think you are in excellent position whether you go test optional or not.

20

I just submitted my ED non-test optional application with my highest score being a 1200. I have my interview tomorrow afternoon. Wish me luck!