Can I get in to Boston University ED1 [international, 3.59 GPA, international affairs]

Chance Me / Match Me
1

3.59 unweighted/ 4.0 weighted

8 APs, 3 DEs

SAT: I’m applying test optional cuz my SAT is embarrassingly low.

Major: International Affairs

Honors: AP Scholar, College Board National Recognition Program: School Recognition Award, 2nd place school science fair, golden honor roll for 2 years, and Lamp of Learning for Geography

Extracurriculars:

1- Independent Researcher

Researched political topics to address key questions in today’s society and published my research

2- Founder and writer of *** Website

Established a website dedicated to international affairs and cultural research in an engaging and understandable way for younger generations.

Activity 3- Lead tenor player at my school’s Band

Activity 4-Assistant Teacher at a cultural/linguistic nonprofit

Guided children’s learning process about Brazilian culture and the Portuguese language.

Activity 5-Transcriber for a famous global organization

Transcribed to Portuguese, English, or Spanish speeches to motivate, give awareness to global issues, or educate its audience.

Activity 6- National Student Leadership Conference

Learned international diplomacy from professors at American and Georgetown University. The program included UN visit, simulations, and lessons.

Activity 7-National Honors Society Member

Provided academic support to 3-5 students each week and contributed to the school community by participating in the Haiti fundraiser project.

Activity 8- Student ambassador for my school

Activity 9- Independent Video editor

Acquired skills in video production and editing as a pastime medium of showing my perspective on political, social, or philosophical debates.

Activity 10- autodidact

Self-taught French grammar as my 4th language through textbooks, videos, and online classes.

Toefel: 93

I’m paying full tuition and I’m an international student

:double_exclamation_mark:- So I did get 1 F my Junior year. Basically my DE Psych. class was set up very weirdly where we had 2 portals with different days to submit an assignment. I tried to get out of the class but my counselor would not let me. Since I was so busy with other APs(and, most importantly, I was alone in the US since 2021 which gave me an emotional weight) I just gave up on the class as I wouldn’t get the assignment through the portal anyway.

:double_exclamation_mark: I had all As my freshman and sophomore year but because of the hard classes and not having seen any of my family for years in hard times my grades falled. I was lucky able to bring them back up my 2nd semester, I only got 1 B and 1 C.

2

BU’s ED admit rate is 28% (don’t know if that is significantly skewed by athletes)

profile of entering freshman class according to CDS:

4.0 GPA: 41%

3.75-3.99 GPA: 37%

3.50-3.74% GPA: 22%

This is the lowest range they have admits for. The middle 50 according to their website is 3.90-4.00%.

So on the face of it, especially without a test score to give you a leg up and because colleges tend to place more weight on junior year grades than freshman, one would have to call it a reach.

3

Can you?

Yes, if you apply.

Will you?

Unlikely.

Schools love International $$ though so you never know.

Best of luck.

4

I do not think you will get in for international affairs. Did the application indicate whether they will automatically consider you for general studies, or was there a check-off on the app? Not familiar with this year’s. While still a reach, I think you would have a slight chance of being admitted to GS if you are eligible.

5

Being full pay might help. IIRC, BU is need aware for international students so your ability to pay might be considered.

Most schools favor an upward trend…and yours isn’t. So that could be an obstacle.

Is there some compelling reason why you are applying ED?

6

3.59 unweighted/ 4.0 weighted

8 APs, 3 DEs

SAT: test optional

Major: International Affairs

Honors: AP Scholar, College Board National Recognition Program: School Recognition Award, 2nd place school science fair, golden honor roll for 2 years, and Lamp of Learning for Geography

Extracurriculars:

1- Independent Researcher

2- Founder and writer of a Website where I publish my research

Activity 3- Lead tenor player at my school’s Band

Activity 4-Assistant Teacher at a cultural/linguistic nonprofit

Activity 5-Transcriber and translator for a famous global organization

Activity 6- NationalLeadership Conference where I learned international diplomacy from professors at American and Georgetown University

Activity 7-NHS Member: Provided academic support to 3-5 students each week and contributed to the school community by participating in the Haiti fundraiser project.

Activity 8- Student ambassador for my school

Activity 9- Independent Video editor

Activity 10- French autodidact(4th language)

Toefel: 93

I’m paying full tuition and I’m an international student

:double_exclamation_mark:: So I did get 1 F my Junior year. Basically my DE Psych. class was set up very weirdly where we had 2 portals with different days to submit an assignment. I tried to get out of the class but my counselor would not let me. Since I was so busy with other APs(and, most importantly, I was alone in the US since 2021 which gave me an emotional weight) I just gave up on the class as I wouldn’t get the assignment through the portal anyway.

:double_exclamation_mark:: I had all As my freshman and sophomore year but because of the hard classes and not having seen any of my family for years in hard times my grades falled. I was lucky able to bring them back up my 2nd semester, as I only got 1 B and 1 C.

7

While I don’t think so, I do know if you don’t apply, you won’t get in. If it’s your top school - and full pay helps - try.

8

The downward trend is going to severely impact your choices. Take the SAT or ACT to show your jr grades are not as representative as the jr year grades.

That being said, if you want to attend highly selective universities such as BU your best bet is to find a prep school with a PG year where you have time to improve your grades and test scores.

Another option is to demonstrate tons of interest in American University (join the mailing list and click on everything they send, visit, interview..) and apply ED. If you’re full pay that may work. (American is among the best in the US for international affairs but your odds will be better if you apply for Business& French or something similar. They let you switch majors with no hassle after first semester as long as you take the proper classes and have the required grades - Economics, Core classes, Foreign Language at least at Intermediate 2 level/post AP.)

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9

I explained why I got low grades my junior year on the additional info section and the challenges and circumstances section. I basically said that I haven’t seen my family since 2021 and I had to figure out how the US educational system works by myself. I also mentioned xenophobia and why I got an F. Will this minimize my grades?

I don’t have the time to take another SAT and my first and only SAT is a very low score.

10

I would not have mentioned xenophobia. College is about trying new and different things. And being in diverse settings. And you just said you are afraid of that.

With an F, your gpa and no test score, you were not getting in. This won’t help.

You are full pay.

If you don’t get in, you’ll never know why. If you are Xenophobic, it’s not the right place for you anyway.

You can obsess but no one can give you a definite yes or no.

You applied it sounds like - so you’ll find out. But like everyone, you need back up plans.

11

Real reasons for lower grades should always be explained by the school counselor.

Honestly, I do not think your explanation in the additional info section will move the needle in terms of admission to BU. The international acceptance rate is low. Your GPA isn’t the best, and you don’t have a test score to submit that supports you being a stronger student than your grades suggest.

But apply and see…that’s really the only way to know.

But WHY BU?

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12

Sounds like you already applied, so, good luck, because you never know, you may get lucky!?

In my opinion,the explanations are as good as anything - but if there’s no 1400+ test score to back up the idea your GPA is not representative of your current level, it won’t be enough. Either prioritize finding a test date, prepping for it, and actually taking it (SAT or ACT), or switch gears. Do return to let us know since for your sake Id be glad to be wrong. But right now I don’t see it happening – time to focus on other universities.

Your best bet for a strong IA/IR program where you have a shot is American University. To have a shot you need to show tons of interest: join their mailing list and actually click on what they send, visit…

The other option is planning for a PG year.

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13

U Denver would be another, strong in the major, that’s an easier acceptance than AU.

And if using common, remove the line about Xenophobia.

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