Watashi wa

Just wondering how I stand, as AU is my first choice.
Planning on going into International Affairs (like everyone else who wants to go here).

Virginia resident, Male, half Asian/half Caucasian (considered East Asian).

GPA W: 3.96
GPA UW: 3.58

Grades have steadily gotten better and better each year, with harder and harder classes
(hopefully they notice this), and GPA is prospected to rise by the first semester.

Exams:
APES: 3
APUSH: 4
AP US Gov.: taking in May
AP Stats: taking in May
IB History HL: taking in May
IB English HL: taking in may
IB Film SL: taking in May
Dual Enrollment Anatomy/Physiology: 9 credits

SAT: 1810, 1140 w/o writing,(I know it's an epic-fail score), just took it again today, and I plan on getting anywhere from 10-200 points higher.

Academic Honor Roll all 4 years, received academic excellence awards in a foreign language for two years in a row (once for Latin, and then again for Spanish), numerous band awards.

ExC's:
Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, (second chair Euphonium), Pep Band, four years in a row; (school's band is best in the state of Virginia, consecutive years of honor band status, got invited to play at VMEA convention/won 4th in the nation at USSBA finals), District Band (top band), All-County Band, BETA Club, NHS, Young Democrats, GSA, Church's Senior Youth Council, over 400+ hours of community service: (collected money for the intellectually challenged with Knights of Columbus outside of town's wal-mart, cleaned up roads/Adopt-A-Highway since middle school, served as usher at my Church since elementary school, and have participated in a variety of work camps, (fixing/rebuilding/cleaning the homes of the impoverished/less affluent), and served as my group's leader at these camps. Extensive community service with various band functions as well.

I kinda slacked off my freshman and sophomore years, and struggled with Pre-Cal and Adv. Chem. as a freshman, getting a C in both, thus lowering my GPA drastically. Junior year was my year of redemption, getting all A's with AP/IB classes, and I plan on getting all A's again this year (all weighted courses).
Hope that's good enough...

hello5

Your GPA is fine. You may want to consider taking the ACT. It's a different type of test and you have the option of reporting your score or not.

Watashi wa

How could I possibly do that in time for Early Decision, though? If my scores are below 1200 even after the October score report comes out, should I just not report my scores?

hello5

The next ACT test date is Oct. 24. I'm not sure when ED applications are due. Is it imperative you apply ED? Your course load and GPA is good. If you did well on the ACT, which is more of a curriculum/subject based assessment, you could possibly get get some merit aid.

rodney

WatashI: American U is test optional for ED; not sure if you knew this....if you really want to take the ACT or re-test, you could actually apply test optional, and send a "better" score later if you choose to ( or if you are deferred)....

Watashi wa

that would mean that I'd have to rely on my grades and EC's to get me into AU initially....do you think my stats are good enough to do that?

hello5

Why do you want to apply ED?

Watashi wa

It's my first choice, and I feel as if I'll have a better chance getting in if I apply as such.
Should I just apply regular decision?

DeirdreTours

Yes, I think your stats are strong enough for ED without test scores. I would continue to practive for standardized tests and be ready to submit them if deferred.