<p>Hi, I'm considering applying early decision to the CAS at NYU. </p>
<p>If you don't mind giving me your educated opinions on whether I'll get in or not, that'd be much appreciated. I'm from Maryland, I will be able to pay in full (no financial aid required), and I will be a senior in high school this year. </p>
<p>Here's my quick resume:</p>
<p>-Male, white, Jew (nothing special!)
-3.69 weighted GPA
-3.14 unweighted GPA
-One of the most competitive high schools in USA (like 150something out of top 1400, ranked by Newsweek, national blue ribbon school)
-9 total (including future senior classes) AP classes - passed AP exam on all of them (although mostly 3s and 4s)
-All other non-AP classes are essentially Honors/GT
-Over 200 hours of community service
-Internship at my county's Historical Society
-4 AP classes during senior year
-1960 SAT - taken once, will take once more
-Founded two clubs, one of which eventually grew to 50 or so members and became a school team (Ultimate Frisbee Club/Team)
-Numerous club participation
-Best Buddies peer buddy -- Had to complete interview out of a pool of numerous people and was selected to work one-on-one with a mentally handicapped student throughout the year in and out of school
-1 of 2 boys selected to act in school play as a freshman, was on stage crew for numerous play productions
-Guitar throughout high school</p>
<p>Also, I have good letters of rec from two teachers and a great college essay on a backpacking trip I did by myself from the Andes to the Amazon when I was fifteen for a month.</p>
<p>I would like to major in Political Science.</p>
<p>Also, another question: Do you think that I should simply try taking the SATs one last time to raise it from 1960, or do you think that I should take two SAT IIs? (would be Literature and US History).</p>
<p>Did you get 3’s or 4’s on AP exams for US History and English? If so, that would give you some indication how you would score on the SAT 2. Seems like it will not be over 700 if you didn’t achieve a 5 in the AP exam. With that in mind, I would try one more time to get your SAT score to the 2000 mark. What is your breakdown for Reading and Math, since that is mostly what they will consider?</p>
<p>I would definitely take the SATs yet again because your math and writing scores do not reach the bottom 25th percentile of accepted students. Remember, the SATs are superscored so use that to your advantage. Your reading score; however, is right on par. If you can increase your SAT score in any way, I would. I recommend trying to take the ACTs as well, some students do better on that.</p>
<p>Your GPA is low compared to the normal acceptance as well, but the key is to focus on doing well on your standardized tests to make up for this, essay, letter of recommendations, and extra curriculars. </p>
<p>Also, try to do leadership activities by the end of this summer. It seems your lacking in leadership, which is big on the application. They’re looking for leaders. Your community service; however, is perfect. </p>
<p>NYU, thank goodness, looks holistically; but due to the amount of applications, stats (GPA/standardized testing) do play a big role. ED also increases your chances of course. But based on the current GPA, SAT scores, extra-curricular leadership/community service; I’d say you have a 7-10% chance of being accepted. But it never hurts to try! </p>
<p>Oh and try to be as creative on the essay and supplements. Sounds like you have a great story - but the more recent the better I would think!</p>
<p>(So you know, I’m a student entering CAS for a double major in Economics and Political Science)</p>
<p>Certainly a reach. Your GPA is definitely low for NYU, and the SAT is almost there. Since NYU doesn’t require SAT IIs, absolutely re-take the SAT reasoning test. Try to get 2000+ (ideally 2050-2100+), which shouldn’t be too hard because of superscoring (as mentioned). Really work on getting math to at least a 600 as well. Also I’ve heard the ED acceptance rate is only 5% greater than the RD (but you may want to double check me on that), so might not be worth EDing unless it is your absolute first choice without a doubt. good luck!!</p>
<p>First, I do think that NYU cares if you are full pay. Vonlost, why do you say otherwise?</p>
<p>Definitely check on the ED advantage for NYU. It is my understanding that statistically there is no advantage to applying ED. At least that is what I remember reading about last year’s applicants in some NYU publication regarding admission for class of 2012. Consider instead whether it would help your application to show first quarter grades senior year and an upswing in gpa.</p>
<p>I would take with a grain of salt the 7 to 10% chance of acceptance posted by shives. What is that calculation possibly based on? Personally, I think you chances are higher but would never put a number on it.</p>
<p>The fact that you founded 2 clubs definitely shows leadership, so I would play that up on supplemental essays if you can and highlight it on your resume.</p>
<p>I agree that I would definitely try to bring your math score up to 600 at least. Math is the only section of the SAT that you can really study for. Have you had any private tutoring? Even a few sessions may be able to help you a lot by showing you shortcuts or clear up any confusions. Your reading score is excellent and writing really doesn’t matter and can’t be studied for anyway.</p>
<p>I agree, too, that you may do better on the ACT. SAT math is trickier. ACT math is straightforward, but can be tighter for time. So it depends on the type of test taker you are. D got a 650 on SAT math after several attempts, but really did well on ACT math without any additional studying. She was able to nail a 35 on her first try!</p>
<p>You would need to work a little on the science section for the ACT, but if you practice a few times you should be fine.</p>
<p>That’s not my opinion. I personally think that you have a decent shot, but you’d have to be willing to try to re-take the SAT and do what it takes to get your math score up. So it all depends on how badly you want it and whether you are willing to work at it.</p>
<p>Also agree-your math score is too low. Also why such a low gpa if you are taking AP and honors classes --you should be at least in the B+ range. You need to show interest-have you toured NYU? Will a rep be in your area? Do both. I like your EC’s-play that up. ED helps but currently yout SATs and gpa are low–it would be a reach. I also think the ACT is a better test. My daughter did not have great gpa (3.6), but had 32 ACT, amazing EC’s, and 4’s and 5’s on APs. Multiple school visits and ED helped and a strong portfolio.</p>
<p>I’m definitely going to get a private tutor immediately to help me raise my math section on the SAT, and I’ll touch up on the reading and writing portions. I’m also going to study for the ACT, and take that test at the next available date. On top of that, I just scheduled a campus tour for the near future.</p>
<p>More than one of you have mentioned how I need to “play the ECs up”, especially the ones involving leadership. How would you recommend I go about doing that?</p>
<p>Finally, does it even make any sense to apply ED? Does it really make a difference in whether I’d get in or not? Some are saying that it does and some are saying the opposite.</p>
<p>In regards to the ED, if it is your dream school, by all means go for it! The campus tour says that ED’s acceptance rate is closer to 39% on average and the RD acceptance rate is closer to 34% (back from my 2012 tour). But don’t apply ED unless you’re 100% positive this is your number one. There isn’t a gigantic difference, but with thousands of students applying and if you show interest in the school with ED, it can only help not hurt your chances.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, I do think I’m going to apply ED. Like I’ve said, I’ve scheduled a tour for NYU and I’m going to try to meet with a rep.</p>
<p>More than one of you have mentioned how I need to “play the ECs up”, especially the ones involving leadership. How would you recommend I go about doing that?</p>
<p>Also, anymore advice regarding getting in would be great appreciated!</p>
<p>I just met with someone who used to work for NYU admissions. He said ED is one way that NYU attracts students who have the ability to pay. The acceptance rate is higher because students with slightly lower stats but dont need financial aid are very attractive to NYU. He told me that unless I can pay for NYU without any financial support I should apply RD.</p>
<p>For those needing FA for whom NYU is the dream school, the only question can be “Can I afford it?” so you want to maximize your chance of admission by applying ED (if NYU doesn’t offer enough FA, you apply elsewhere RD). But if you’re shopping for the best FA, you want to compare offers so you apply RD. It depends on your attitude towards NYU.</p>
<p>This data is for early decision/ regular decision for the class of 2012. Don’t believe they have published 2013 yet.</p>
<p>When you read the article, you will note that ED rate dropped from previous years and was lower than the RD rate.</p>
<p>The main advantage of ED is that you are done with the process early! But remember if you have any shot of getting financial aid or would consider other schools if they offer merit aid, you are giving up the chance to compare packages. You need to know where you stand on the finances of this and that you and your parents agree.</p>
<p>We ultimately knew that we would forgo merit aid at other schools if D was sure that NYU was her first choice. She attended a summer program to make sure. Since we let older D walk away from merit $ that was greater than NYU’s, we knew we would do the same for younger D.</p>
<p>As it worked out younger D got accepted NYU ED at the same time as Pratt EA. Pratt offered $14K a year in merit aid. We let her go with NYU full pay.</p>
<p>If you or your parents cannot make that kind of decision, there is no advantage to applying ED and I would advise against it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link. So I just went to a tour at NYU, and the packet shows that the ED acceptance rate is about 4% lower than the RD. Why would this be?</p>
<p>Also, if people could give me their opinion on whether I would get admitted or not, that would be much appreciated.</p>