<p>What I Did Right:</p>
<p>-Maintained both a high major and cumulative GPA (3.9 and above), increasing each semester.</p>
<p>-Got involved on campus…3 years as an orientation leader, freshman mentor, two part time jobs, etc.</p>
<p>-Asked for my recommendations early, at the beginning of my senior year (although a couple of professors failed to complete them until a week before my first round of applications were due). Also, I reminded the recommenders about the letters every few weeks.</p>
<p>What I Did Wrong:</p>
<p>-Took the GRE twice, and did worse the second time on both the verbal and writing sections, despite increased studying and going through two review books.</p>
<p>-Used essentially the same statement of purpose for what I thought were my safety schools, and generally spent less time on those applications. Needless to say, I didn’t get into those schools.</p>
<p>-Underestimated myself. I failed to get into the schools that I thought were my safety schools, but I did get into two great schools that were my top choices (George Washington University for American studies and American University for history) so far.</p>
<p>-Overestimated the importance of GRE scores. My scores were mediocre at best but didn’t keep me from getting accepted to my top choices (GWU and AU).</p>
<p>-Concentrated too much on the fact that I attended a small, unknown state college in Massachusetts. I thought for sure that this was going to hold me back, but in the end, it didn’t matter.</p>
<p>-Stressed too much. RELAX! It will be okay in the end :-)</p>