<p>General Info: female, New Jersey, notably difficult public high school</p>
<p>Academics: 96.5 weighted average (2nd decile) all honors and AP throughout HS (except 2)</p>
<p>SATs: 680 math/600 reading
(I am taking them one more time and am getting tutored for my reading, so my scores will definitely go up! I was very upset when I realized that Gettysburg doesn't accept the writing score because that was my highest-690)</p>
<p>Senior Year Schedule: Executive Student Council Class(treasurer), AP Literature, AP Government and Politics, AP European History, Honors Spanish, Honors Calculus, Education as a Career</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: Tomorrow's Teachers, Future Educators, Executive Student Council, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Writing Club (publicist), News Club
I also went to a leadership camp for 3 years and just came back from an academy for future teachers!</p>
<p>Community service: Center for Food Action (100+ hours), Tutoring at library (30+h), started my own community service club at my school</p>
<p>I want to be a high school American History Teacher.</p>
<p>Gettysburg is DEFINITELY my #1 choice and I will work extremely hard to do whatever I can to increase my chance of admission! I've visited 3 times already and will a few more! I can't imagine myself going to school anywhere else, so any advice or tips would be greatly, greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hi,
I think it would help a lot if you could raise your verbal SAT score. Are you a rising hs senior or a junior? Also, you might consider taking the ACT. I think it is a little easier to prep for. My daughter took it only because I suggested she should, and she did much better on the ACT than she did on the SAT.</p>
<p>Also, I have been getting the sense that Gettysburg is becoming a bit more selective every year. I recall one poster this past cycle who has a son already at Gettysburg. Her daughter, who had better stats than her son did, was waitlisted, and I don’t think Gettysburg has taken anyone from the waitlist for a number of years.</p>
<p>On the plus side, you seem to be a very involved student, and you have certainly demonstrated interest. (You have made your visits known to the admissions staff, right?)</p>
<p>It might be a good idea to give admissions a call now, while they are less busy, and ask if they think it would be beneficial for you to apply ed, especially since it is your first choice.</p>
<p>Good luck, and I will be looking forward to your posts this upcoming admissions cycle. My daughter is a junior, and she absolutely loves it there. In fact, she is already thinking about how sad she will be to leave in two years.</p>
<p>ETA: But, please realize that even if you don’t get in, there are many, many wonderful schools where I am sure you will be happy. Try to make sure you have several schools on your list that you would be comfortable at, and that your family can afford. You can make your own happiness almost anywhere.</p>
<p>Show them love, interview, and apply ED. They want kids who want Gburg as their first choice - this compared to great schools that seem to be infested with students who didn’t get into their first choice and grumble for 4 years.
As you may have noticed on your visits, Gettysburg does a great job with this. All the kids I know there really like it.<br>
Good luck.</p>
<p>Gettysburg is test optional so you may want to look over that policy ( I do not think you qualify for merit awards if you go test optional). It might put your mind at ease to know the policy so that you do not feel stressed about taking the SAT again. The only weak part of your profile seems to be your reading score - but you are working on that and have a plan!</p>
<p>I agree with the other posts that applying Early Decision will help. Also, make sure that you visit the school, take a tour and have an admissions interview - demonstrate your interest!</p>
<p>I agree with Ctinct - Gettysburg seems to be bringing in stronger & stronger classes each year. When we were looking at schools Gettysburg was the only school where we all (parents & student) came away saying WOW - we really liked the place - everything about it! My child is chomping at the bit to get back to school for his sophomore year.</p>
<p>Ctinct: Yes, I am definitely going to work on my verbal score. I also took the ACTs and did not feel comfortable with the test at all and did much better on the SAT. I will definitely contact admissions soon to ask them what would be the best option for a person like me. I have made all of my visits known to answer your question (3 so far) and I am scheduling an interview soon and an overnight if possible! Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>Pardullet: I have definitely made it known to them that I am very interested through 2 information sessions, 3 tours, junior visit day, and emails. Hopefully that helps me! Thanks!</p>
<p>Sportsmom2016: I definitely do not want to do test optional because I am decently happy with my scores and am proud of my math and writing (although it doesn’t count) and I believe that giving my scores would be better than not giving any at all. That’s great to hear about fulfilling the writing requirement however! I hope everything works our- thank you so much for the help!</p>
<p>You have a very good chance! Just be sure to keep in contact with your rep from Gettysburg and or interviewer and consider Early Decision. Good luck!!</p>