Chance me! American University EA: UW 2.8, 1300 SAT, Stacked EC's though

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hey everyone,

I’m a senior applying to colleges for Fall 2026, majoring in Political Science. My GPA is on the lower side due to early personal challenges (explained in apps), but I’ve got some strong extracurriculars and a personal story tied to immigration and healthcare policy. Would love honest chances/feedback from admits, current students, or anyone familiar with these schools. Be brutal if needed!

Demographics:

  • Gender: Male

  • Race/Ethnicity: White/Hispanic (Brazilian-American)

  • Residence: Florida (Miami area)

  • Income Bracket: Middle class (widowed single parent, some financial struggles)

  • Type of School: Public charter high school

  • Hooks: First-gen (parents’ education abroad), immigrant family story

Intended Major: Political Science (interested in policy/government, especially immigration and healthcare reform)

Academics:

  • GPA: 3.23 weighted 2.87 unweighted Rank: N/A out of ~450)

  • SAT: 1300 (670 EBRW, 630 Math) - submitted to AU

  • ACT: None

  • APs: APUSH, APAH, APCOGO, APpsych, APEURO, APMACRO, APUSGOV

  • Other: Skipped 1st grade; switched schools after 9th due to cost (private to public)

Extracurriculars (with descriptions/hours):

  1. Founder/Leader of FIRM (Florida Immigrant Rights Movement) - Community service/volunteer (12th grade, 5 hrs/wk, 52 wks/yr). Started a nonprofit to support Miami immigrants affected by ICE raids; provide resources, advocacy, education, website, flyers, food drives, legal aid. Ongoing.

  2. Writer/Editor of “The Obscured Truth” - Research (11th-12th, 10 hrs/wk, 8 wks/yr). 72-page academic essay on democratic erosion under Trump’s second term, calling for civic resistance.

  3. National Archives Transcriber - Community service (12th, 3 hrs/wk, 32 wks/yr). Transcribed historical docs like JFK files and Revolution papers.

  4. Creator of “Liberatory Subjectivism” - Academic (11th-12th, 5 hrs/wk, 37 wks/yr). Developed a philosophical framework blending Sartre and Marx; applied to social issues via essays.

  5. Drummer in Straight-Edge Hardcore Band (XPrescriptionX) - Music (11th-12th, 3 hrs/wk, 52 wks/yr). Toured with friends, promoted drug/alcohol-free lifestyle through music.

  6. Model UN - Debate/Speech (9th, 4 hrs/wk, 36 wks/yr). Honorable Mention at KnightMUN; left after school transfer but gained debate/diplomacy skills.

  • Other responsibilities: Manage household (meals, cleaning, etc.) 4+ hrs/wk while mom works/travels; translate for family.

Essays:

  • Common App Personal: About US healthcare inequity, tied to my dad’s death from brain cancer at age 13. Discussed how it felt transactional/cold, inspired me to advocate for policy change.

  • AU Supplement (“What are you passionate about?”): Immigration raids in my community, family fleeing Brazil due to political instability (Dilma’s 2016 impeachment), founding FIRM. Mentioned Prof. Christopher Rudolph at SPA to show research. Why AU: Build policy skills in DC.

  • Additional Info: Explained low GPA from freshman/soph struggles (personal issues, thought I didn’t need college to make impact), but recent growth via projects/nonprofit.

LOR

  • Probably strong from APCOGO teacher and English 3 Honors

What are my chances at AU Any tips for updates or why these might work better? Thanks!

2

Unless you are full pay and apply ED, I don’t see the possibility. Doesn’t mean I’m right.

There are schools for you but I don’t think AU is one.

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3

American University values demonstrated interest highly, so make sure you demonstrate interest. Open emails, attend webinars they put on, do a tour or virtual tour, etc.

I think in your case, a lot will depend on how the college looks at your extenuating circumstances. Your SAT score is within range…your ECs are good. Your GPA is your weak link, but depending on how this is explained…it might be given some leniency.

Good luck.

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4

Do you have any uptrend or downtrend in your unweighted GPA?

In most cases university is more difficult than high school. Do you feel that you are ready to take on a challenge that is significantly more difficult compared to high school?

If prepscholar is correct, then your SAT is right at the 25th percentile for AU. Your GPA is however quite low for AU.

Generally speaking ECs do not make up for a low GPA.

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5

Note they use the gpa showing on their transcript what they likely value with their finances a bit upside down - full pay !!

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6

Does your parent have a college degree from abroad? If so, the vast majority of colleges won’t consider you first gen.

Also, an immigrant family story isn’t a hook. Sorry.

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7

I agree with others that AU is a reach, but you can try. Will it be affordable if you get in? Did you run their Net price calculator with your parent? Meadow - Net Price Calculator

Most importantly, do you have any affordable acceptances yet? If not, what is your affordable highly likely school? You need at least one of those.

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Demonstrate TON of interest - go to sample class webinars they offer, departmental webinars, visit if you can (but only if you have the $). I think that GPA may be a deal breaker, but hard to tell w/o the whole app, your recs, and trends. If jr/sr grades are good, that is very different than if are consistently Cs.

And I am so sorry about the death of your father. It sounds like you have been through a lot and still are carrying a lot of wonderful ECs and family load.