URM Chances at NYU, Fordham, Wisconsin-Madison, and UW-Seattle

<p>Hello! I am super close to finishing my applications and I wanted to know if you think I have a shot (and if so how good of one?) at my top schools. </p>

<p>So heres all of this general stuff...</p>

<p>About me:
•Gender: Female
•Ethnicity: African American
•Income: High
•Mother: Currently enrolled in community college, first college experience
•Father: Bachelors degree in Elementary Education University of Arizona. Self Employed.
•Location: Arizona, USA
•Additional: I am adopted by my white father, I have two sisters who are very blonde and white, and my parents are the same. My essays are mostly centered around being the only african american in my entire extended family and how it has effected the way that I have grown up. Also a focus on my religion (judaism).</p>

<p>Education
•Large public high school, one of the best in state.
•GPA: 3.73
•Rank: School does not rank as most of our students are very high achieving. Probably somewhere in top 20-25% based on GPA.
•ACT: 29, retaking on October 25th aiming for a 31
•SAT: 1790, not submitting
•AP tests I will submit: AP Lit: 3, AP Euro: 3</p>

<p>Classes
•Freshman: Honors Biology 9, Honors English 9, Honors Global Issues, Algebra 1, Health, Intro to Media Productions, Intro to Theatre Arts, Spanish 2
•Sophomore: Forensics Chemistry, Honors English, AP European History (only AP offered to sophomores), Geometry, (honors credit earned), Advanced Media Productions, Photo 1, Spanish 3
•Junior: Physics, AP English Lit, US History, Advanced photography, Spanish 4, Algebra 2, P.E, Photography 2
•Senior: AP World History, AP Biology, AP gov, Econ, Ceramics/PE, English (war and conflict)
(Am I not taking enough APs? I am really worried about this)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
•Tennis (9-12, team captain grade 12, possibly MVP this year)
•USY youth group (9-12, VP of communications)
•Teacher's Assistant (11-12)
•Extended Hebrew School (9-12)
•Jewish/Latino teen coalition (11, trip to DC for 10 young leaders in my city to speak with representatives of government about discrimination and immigration policies)
•Piano lessons (6 years of lessons, 12 years of playing on my own by ear)</p>

<p>Job Experience
•Hostess in Italian Restaurant, 25 hours a week (August 2014 - present)</p>

<p>Clubs
•Speech and Debate (9-10, officer grade 10)
•National Honors Society (11-12)
•Link Crew (12, new group at my school that welcomes freshman into the school with activities and events)
•Senior Sis/Freshman sis (Grades 9 and 12)</p>

<p>Awards
•Most improved tennis player of the year
•National Honors Society initiation
•Connections event co chair and “l'dor vador (generation to generation)” Jewish Mother/Daughter duo of the year</p>

<p>Community Service
•Elderly assisted living home volunteer/member on teen advisory council (grades 7-12)
•Ben’s Bells (grades 6-12)
•Thrift store volunteer (Summer between 10th and 11th grade)</p>

<p>Certificats
•Adobe Premiere Pro certified</p>

<hr>

<p>My letters of recommendation should be really great. One is from my US history teacher who I TA'd for last year and this year. The other is from my spanish 4 teacher. </p>

<p>NYU is ultimately my dream school but I hate saying that because I don't want to be incredibly disappointed if it doesn't work out! Do you think I have a shot at the other schools on my list? Also I just found out about this URM stuff so I'm not sure it even effects anything...</p>

<p>I am also looking into:
-Boston University
-Northeastern
-Barnard
-UIUC
-Drexel
-George Washington
-American</p>

<p>ANY feedback you could give me I would seriously appreciate!</p>

<p>Side note:
know my GPA is a little bit low. My mother was dealing with an alcohol dependency my freshman year and went to an inpatient rehabilitation facility to receive help during this time. This really effected my grades and emotions (understandably), however, I have had a strong upward trend ever since. My family has continued to actively work recovery. </p>

<p>BUMP :)</p>

<p>The GPA you provided is unweighted right? And also, don’t worry, the upwards trend will reflect well! :)</p>

<p>Drexel & American: safety
Northeastern: safety/match
BU & GWU: match
UIUC: match/low reach</p>

<p>For Barnard and NYU, I’d say those are reach schools, but I think you have a good shot at getting in!
Good luck! :)</p>