<p>I'm currently a Junior and I'm a black male from the suburbs. If I bust my butt this marking period and during finals, I should have a 3.5 WEIGHTED GPA. I'll have two D's and a few C's on my transcript. I'm taking APUSH and AP Eng Lang this year. I'm also in two honor's classes. Next year, I'm dropping my language and I'll be taking AP Lit, AP Stat, AP US Gov, and AP Macroecon. I'm anticipating a 1900+ on my SATs and will hopefully break into the 2000s. I'm taking my SAT IIs either next month or in the Fall. I've been through a lot and I think I'll have a good essay. I think I have a pretty good list of EC's that I've been consistent with, have a passion for, and hold leadership positions in. I tutor a kid with a learning disorder twice a week voluntarily. I'll be attending LEAD Summer Business Institute this summer and I'm debating between getting a job this summer (I could really use the extra $$ or an internship with a local Assemblywoman). Right now I'm thinking about majoring in PoliSci or Broadcast Journalism but nothing's set in stone. I'm going to apply to an Ivy or two for the fun of it but I'm not banking on getting or anything. Where should I be applying? Any advice on anything extra I should be doing?</p>
<p>I’m looking at the Northeast. While I don’t have $200,000 just laying around I may be able to get a decent amount in FA so it doesn’t matter. I’m looking for anywhere from 5,000-25,000 students, political vibe-maybe more Liberal schools? It doesn’t matter too much, and athletics aren’t a huge deal for me. And PoliSci and Broadcast Journalism were just majors I was considering now which could change by tomorrow! I may end up applying as Undecided.</p>
<p>You should definitely check out American University, then. They’re not “that hard” to get into, and they are the #1 most politically active college. They are also quite liberal with great poli sci programs. Their comm school is mediocre, though. It has about 5,000 undergrads. Their athletics definitely aren’t a big deal.</p>
<p>I would suggest doing both the job and the internship.
I sit on a scholarship board and one of our first questions looking at every application is “what effort has this student made to help themselves?”
The internship can be scheduled easily around a summer job.</p>
<p>^I’ll give it my best try; only problem is, my mom’s going to be working during the summer as well so I’d have to schedule around her schedule AND the schedule of the job. I’ll apply to both see and I guess. Thanks so much for everyone’s input! I was considering America; would that be a match? reach? Any other schools? What would be a real reach? What about safties?</p>
<p>What classes did you receive the two Ds and the few Cs in? Academic cores? When did you receive those grades…Freshman year? Sophomore year? Are you on an upward trend? It is unusual to see a 3.5 GPA (is that unweighted?) linked to two Ds and 3 or 4 Cs – not impossible though I guess. You’ll be taking a pretty heavy AP load senior year, has your curriculum been pretty rigorous throughout your HS career?</p>
<p>The 3.5 is weighted. I received a D+ in Alg II and a D in Spanish-both during sophomore year. I received a C+ in Honors English freshman year, a C+ in Chemistry sophomore year, and a C in Spanish II freshman year. I’m cringing as I type this >.< I’ll likely end this year with B’s and an A. This year I’ve taken two AP and two honors classes. For the most part, I am on an upward trend. My courseload has been fairly rigorous. It’s definitely not a joke but I haven’t taken every honors course available to me but a decent amount. Honors English freshman and sophomore year, AP Eng junior year, Honors physics junior year, Honors US Hist sophomore year, and APUSH junior year. I’ve already shared my schedule for next year and there classes I’m very interested in so I should do well. If I do well the first semester of my senior year will that increase my chances at any schools? I know I probably have a strange situation in which to match schools to.</p>
<p>What would be my chances at somewhere like NYU? Howard? Syracuse (parents are alum)?</p>
<p>IHaveA – As you have taken a pretty rigourous courseload and are on an upward trend GPA-wise, I suspect college admissions officers will be encouraged. Your anticipated SAT scores will also be a plus as will your ECs. I think you’ve got a decent shot at Howard University and Syracuse. NYU will be much tougher, but certainly no tougher than any of the Ivies you are considering. If you feel NYU is the right school for you go for it.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your input! I’m considering my options now, and I’m also thinking of re-taking Alg II and possibly Spanish online. I’m already in Pre-calc and Spanish 4, would it even be worth it for me to go this route?</p>
<p>NYU will be ultra-difficult, Syracuse shouldn’t be too difficult for you to get into, especially with a legacy. I would second American, it’s a great school that isn’t too selective, and I would also suggest looking at Temple. Not sure if it really matches you, but again, it’s a good school that isn’t too competitive.</p>