What are my chances? (DC schools)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm currently finishing my junior year. I'm hoping to go to school in DC, and will be applying to American University, George Washington University, and Georgetown (as well as others in other places). I know Georgetown is a reach, but it's my dream school. What are my chances for these three, and what can I do to improve my chances?</p>

<p>My GPA is 3.8/3.9 (unweighted, weighted). However after this semester's grades have been entered, this should go up. I'm currently taking:
AP Calc BC
AP English Lit
AP US History
Biology Honors
Latin III/IV
I have As in Calc, Lit, APUSH, and Latin, and one A- in Bio. I will be able to get it up to an A by the time the school year is over, though. I know my GPA isn't great because freshman + sophomore year, I was getting A/A/A-/A-/B+/B+ (was taking advanced math classes though, like an accelerated calculus theory course). This year I got my act together and hopefully will maintain straight A's until the end of senior year. </p>

<p>Haven't gotten my SAT score back yet. On my last PSAT I got a 2100, but I think I did better on the real thing and am expecting a 2200/2300-ish. Haven't taken SAT subject tests, but I'm taking Latin and USH in June, and will take Lit and Bio/Math (haven't decided yet) in October.</p>

<p>Next year, I'll be taking AP Bio, AP English, AP Euro, AP Latin, and I designed an independent study that will cover what UCLA considers a university year of Russian language. (They have syllabi online for college students and I snagged the first two semesters.) I'm not taking a math course because I've exhausted the math curriculum at my school, other than one or two easy electives.</p>

<p>My ECs:
Piano lessons 9/10/11/12</p>

<p>Guitar lessons 9/10/11/12</p>

<p>School orchestra 9/10/11/12 -- I play piano, guitar, and drums (self taught) and I've arranged some pieces. This summer, I'll begin composing.</p>

<p>New World Jazz youth orchestra 10 </p>

<p>Jam Club 10</p>

<p>Tutoring at an underprivileged school near my high school 9/10 -- (about 100 hours total)</p>

<p>Volunteering as a pianist in the lobby of my local hospital 11/12 -- (about 150 hours by the time I graduate from high school)</p>

<p>I've had two rock bands in my lifetime, both of which have performed and written music. Does this count?</p>

<p>Gay-Straight Alliance 10/11/12 -- I was a member in 10th grade, and am currently leading it. I will also lead it next year. I am openly lesbian -- I don't know if this will hurt my chances at religiously-affiliated schools? I know religiously-affiliated does not mean they are anti-gay people, but occasionally they are.</p>

<p>Feminism Club 12 -- I am starting up a feminism club with my friend</p>

<p>American History Film Club 12 -- Also starting up a club to watch and discuss films about American History, inspired by my love of APUSH</p>

<p>Student run musical 10/12 -- I am the pianist, as well as co-music writer for my school's student run musical. </p>

<p>Peer tutoring 11/12 -- I tutor freshmen in Latin, and will probably sign up to tutor APUSH next year.</p>

<p>Forensic Science / Leadership Conference (NSLC) 11</p>

<p>National Security+Intelligence Analysis / Leadership Conference (NSLC) 12</p>

<p>I've won magna cum laude once and summa cum laude twice for the National Latin Exam. </p>

<p>Anyway...what are my chances? Advice? </p>

<p>Side note: I don't do any sports mainly because I'm busy every day after school, but I want to join ROTC. I work out frequently and test myself with the PFT once a month.</p>

2

<p>Anyoneeee?</p>

3

<p>you’re good for gw and definitely for american.</p>

<p>and you stand a pretty fair chance at georgetown</p>

4

<p>To be honest, I don’t know enough about admissions at GW or Georgetown except the latter is one of the most selective in the country and my cousin is at GW. He made it with stats similar to yours. </p>

<p>American, I’ve heard much about as far as admissions. From what I’ve gathered, they care most about your interest in the college. If you visit a lot there and apply EA or ED, you’ll make it.</p>

5

<p>Thanks you two, I appreciate it. Addy – American only offers a binding early option. However, I’m visiting next fall, and I’m sending one of my two NMSF notifications to them. Is that sufficient? Also, should I send the second NMSF notification to GW or Georgetown? I figure everyone applying to Georgetown has it, but I don’t know if a) that means it is useless to send, or b) it’ll look really bad if I don’t.</p>

6

<p>thanks for chancing me :)</p>

<p>GWU- you should be set
American- probably scholarship
Georgetown- I think it’s a very reasonable reach for you </p>

<p>All you can do at this point is improve your ECs over the summer in any way that you can, and make sure your senior schedule is rigorous.</p>

<p>good luck !</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the feedback!! :)</p>

8

<p>K, hopefully I’ll be accepted for a teen writer internship, that could possibly lead to being paid next year. I’ll also be volunteering at the local library for shelving and tech assistance, in addition to volunteering at the hospital. </p>

<p>Any other opinions/suggestions/etc?</p>

9

<p>your passion for your activities are obvious and that will show, and I’m pretty if your SAT’s are the way you said then you have a good chance.</p>

10

<p>I think you can get into Georgetown, if the SAT turns out the way you thought. Get straight A’s 1st semester senior year if possible.</p>

11

<p>If you can get a 2150+ you will be competitive for Georgetown, but as with all top schools, you NEVER know…</p>

12

<p>Thanks for all of your help! SAT scores come out in 3 days…</p>

13

<p>You could get into Georgetown with an 1800 but it would be astronomically unlikely. A 2100+ would put you in the middle of the pack for Georgetown.</p>

<p>1) Are you giving or taking lessons? Taking lessons for an instrument doesn’t count as an EC, although playing in an orchestra and rock band does. For the latter, I would write in the 200-word-blurb area on the CommApp about writing rock songs and having that experience, it’s unique and definitely worthwhile.</p>

<p>2) You have a lot of EC. Make sure to include everything you can, but don’t go and put fluff on your app.</p>

<p>3) Most selective US colleges get applications with very similar SATs and GPAs. Recruitment in sports and extracurriculars are one very heavy weight for students in the application process. Show dedication and depth in everything you do. And – probably the most important part – admissions will look for students that belong at a school. Don’t try and be someone you’re not, be honest, and make sure the admissions officers understand who you are. Interviews are a great tool in helping you do that.</p>