<p>I'm an upcoming senior at a private college-prep catholic Jesuit high school. I am considering Villanova. </p>
<p>My gpa isn't as high as I would like it to be. I have a 3.6 cumulative gpa, mostly due to my freshman year gpa both semesters being low. Junior year I got a 3.75 first semester and a 3.7 second in AP/honors classes. I will be taking all AP classes next year and I think that my gpa will raise a bit after my first semester of senior year. </p>
<p>My main AP class is math, I'm three years ahead of my class (Calculus BC AP) and participated in the AMC 12 exam this year and plan to do it again next year. I plan to take 2 math classes my senior year. </p>
<p>I've taken the SAT once, and I didn't really get to put time into studying (I plan to study a lot this summer). I got a 1910 total with a 650 in math, 620 in critical reading and a 640 in writing. I took the ACT without studying as well this year and got a 29, even though I took a practice test a few months prior and I got a 31..so hopefully those scores will improve with some studying. </p>
<p>I participate in 3 highly competitive Varsity Sports: Tennis Ski Racing and XC. I play tennis and ski race competitively outside of high school sports as well. I also enjoy sail boat racing outside of school. </p>
<p>I am the senior co-president of a charity league and won an extra three awards this year for my community service(I did over 150 hours of service over the summer and school year). I work on my own with a hospital that provides long-term intensive care for medically fragile children (I did over 75 hours there just last summer) and with a charity that provides women on the streets with business clothes to hold jobs and empower them. Last summer, I coached tennis at a preschool and volunteered with underprivileged children teaching them tennis at the park. I will be interning this summer at USGS researching DNA and helping with other research in the lab and doing community service.</p>
<p>I went on a trip through my Christian service office at school last fall to Washington DC where I attended a conference called the Ignatian Teach-In at Georgetown University and met with our governor to present a case to support the Dream Act. I am a member of the Service Club, 200 hours of Service Club, a retreat leader, and Ambassador. </p>
<p>What are my chances at VU?</p>
<p>Hey, sounds like you are interested in VU Math possibly? If so then send me a message, I can explain the major/minor/Masters program. AMC 12 sounds great! Go for Putnam! I can also provide insight into economics, and some basic thoughts on the science and engineering programs. </p>
<p>If I were you I would definitely apply. You are the model VU applicant, and your stats are above average for A&S students. SATs do not matter as much for VU as grades and experiences from what I have seen amongst my peers. The research is huge and will be a distinct attribute. Many kids are into sports so you would fit in for that category also. </p>
<p>Definitely visit and speak with the admins directly. They will likely remember you due to your distinct experiences. I still have a feeling this is why I was accepted, even though my SATs were not that great relative to my entire application. Haha I did not even study for SATs, they are such a waste of time (don’t tell that to the test centric HS kids these days though. To think I used to worry about scores…) </p>
<p>Honestly, outside of SATs, I would highly suggest you look at higher ranked schools. Keep Nova in the back of your mind, but realize that research is not a priority except for sciences. You will get a strong liberal arts education, but if research is your passion consider other schools. All depends on your interests though, something like the astronomy and astrophysics dept will give you myriad opportunities. </p>
<p>Seriously though, I think you are in! Really hope it works, just realize that Nova is horribly expensive and not worth it for most programs. I think it is horribly overrated, but you will get a great liberal education and many opportunities to shine. Sometimes it is better to be a big fish in a small pond…I have a feeling this is how you would feel at Nova.</p>
<p>And one last comment, do not worry at all about GPA/test scores. In a few years, they will mean absolutely nothing. Trust me, your perception of grades will quickly change after a year of college. Everyone in freshman year talks about things like AP exams, SAT scores etc. Then second year on it is all a distant dream, something to talk about at a cocktail party as a joke at most. </p>
<p>Life is not dependent upon grades and tests, but the individual. We live in a society obsessed with such metrics, and so many do not realize that there is so much more to life. Did Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, or any of the other great classical thinkers worry about such garbage? No! Not that they serve as a criterion, but many of the greatest thinkers were not subject to the useless tests of modernity. Yet they still managed to leave an imprint upon the world! Devote more time to self reflection and introspection; this will benefit you much more in the long run than studying for a four hour test. </p>
<p>And the little secret that colleges do not want to hear is that name brand means nothing. With strong grades, recommendations and distinct experiences you can get into any grad/law/med/business school post undergrad years. </p>
<p>Hope this advice helps!</p>
<p>Less emphasis on SATs and grades for sure. It’s a given you have a certain level of intellect, but they want a human being, not just a photographic memory. Go for an interview, be prepared to tell them what you are passionate about in learning, perhaps how you have tried to apply what you know in real life, why you spend your time volunteering to some cause if any, and what you like to do in your spare time - do you have a hobby or passion outside of working, like cooking, or some other activity. Getting jobs these days, most good employers want good people, they don’t want drama bombs or introverts. GL</p>
<p>Good chance but nonetheless Villanova is still very interested in good SAT scores. In fact Nova’s avg sat score has gone up about fifty points from 2005. Right now you are a match/ some what of a reach…you have good EC’s but still your gpa and scores are lacking.</p>