Hi!! Looking to be chanced for BSN acceptance; BC is my top and I applied ED1, but I do have other options!
Demographics
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US domestic (US citizen or permanent resident) or international student: US citizen
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State/Location of residency: northern Virginia
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Type of high school (or current college for transfers): attended both a private Catholic high school, public school,
and homeschool (very odd, I know, explanation is further down)
Cost Constraints / Budget
no cost constraint
Intended Major(s): nursing!!!
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
- Unweighted HS GPA: 3.84
- Weighted HS GPA: 4.46
- Class Rank: top 10% or higher
- ACT/SAT Scores: 1490, 760 Reading & 730 math
**important consideration for GPA and school transfers!! I am a survivor of trauma during my sophomore year and was attending a private school over an hour (each way) from where I live. The traumatic event in question had repercussions that bled into my social, academic, and personal life. It was extremely difficult to maintain grades during this time period, especially paired with intense commitments within the Civil Air Patrol and the long commute to school. The trauma also manifested physically, and I am currently in the quite lengthy process of being diagnosed with autoimmune disease (and have been diagnosed with new and extensive food allergies), all credited to being “trauma triggered.” My teachers helped me pull through sophomore year, but I had a couple Bs and one B-. These lower grades are concentrated and reflect the circumstances of that time period, and are also responsible for the lower unweighted GPA. I was, however, able to score 4s and 5s on AP exams that year (and every year since). My LORs from past teachers discuss my circumstances and how they witnessed me respond to it at least once. My parents pulled me to the local public school for my junior year so that the factor of commuting would not be an issue (basically the one factor we could control), and the grades went up to all As again. The course work was too easy, though, so for my senior year I am homeschooling myself, utilizing official AP textbooks/labs/assignments/unit tests etc. and maintaining high As. Not a traditional education but I’m making do with what I have 
List your HS coursework
Here are my core classes!!
- English: English 1 Honors, English 2 Honors, English 11 British Literature Honors, AP Lang
- Math: Algebra I, Algebra II / Trig, Geometry Honors, AP Pre-Calculus, AP Statistics
- Science: Research Biology Honors, Research Chemistry Honors, AP Biology, Research Physics Honors, AP Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology Honors, Medical Terminology Honors
- History and social studies: World History Honors, AP European History, AP US History, AP US Gov, AP Psychology
- Language other than English: Spanish 2, Spanish 3 Honors, skipped to Spanish 5 Honors, AP Spanish Lang and Culture
Awards
- Amelia Earhart Award & multiple recognitions on the wing and regional level for service and performance at leadership academies, encampments, etc.(Civil Air Patrol)
- multiple school and national recognitions for academic performance.
Extracurriculars
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Completed 100+ hours of online and skills lab training
- Completed 50+ hours of clinicals and worked when post-acute rehab and memory care patients.
- Passed board of nursing examinations on the first try
- Planning to start working as a CNA once AP exams are over
- Tutor for 5 APs/SAT/new tutor mentorship
- international non-profit
- Tutor certification eligibility confirmed by scores (need a 4+ for APs and 700+ per category for SAT)
- Ranked in the top 5% of all institutional tutors for the following categories: learners reached, countries reached, sessions held, tutoring hours, and “super helpful” reviews
- Founder of Multi-State, Military-Supporting Volunteer Initiative
- Founded at the age of 10 (5th grade), Continued up until 10th grade. Paused for 10th-11th because of the life circumstances mentioned earlier. Revived for 12th grade and beyond.
- Collaborated with military organizations and personnel in VA, MD, WV, TX, and CA.
- Duties included general leadership, public speaking, advertising, social media outreach, collaboration with U.S. military organizations and personnel, etc.
- “Tribe Leader” at Parish Vacation Bible School (annually since 2021)
- Lead a “tribe” (30+) kids throughout a week of fun, fellowship, and community service for a week of 5-day sessions on an annual basis. Typically work with children in 2nd grade or Kindergarteners with special needs.
- Leadership / Volunteering at School (private school, 9th-10th grade)
- Student Ambassador
- Leadership Board for young women’s ministry at school
- Key Club
- Secretary for political lobbying club
- Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary) Amelia Earhart Award Recipient
- Top 5% of Cadets worldwide.
- Extensive leadership on the squadron, group, wing, regional, and national levels of CAP in both ordinary term positions and leadership roles in multi-day overnight (up to 2 weeks) leadership academies and schools. Only listing a few.
- Group Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) Vice Chair and Chair (served in each role for a year)
- Operated and managed the Group 3 CAC, to facilitate feedback, make recommendations within the Cadet Program, and modernize Group training procedures
●Wing Cadet Public Affairs Officer (served for 2 years)
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- Operated as one of three Cadet Public Affairs Officers on the state echelon. Authored news articles related to critical wing activities, served as a liaison between organizations and prospective members, answered inquiries, and managed the wing website
● Standards and Evaluation Cadet Officer in Charge (1 of 9 staff positions on the squadron level, each for a 6 month term)
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- Operated and directed the squadron’s Standards and Evaluations program to adhere to national standards via the conduction of inspections, decorum procedures, and drill & ceremonies testing.
● Honor Guard / Color Guard Team, Right Rifle Bearer (2 years)
o Attended the regional Honor Guard Academy (2023) and presented the colors at squadron meetings, community events, and regional competitions. Trained weekly.
● Cadet Representative (2 years)
- State Legislative Day Cadet Officer Representative (2024, 2025)
- National Legislative Day Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer Representative (2024)
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- Represented the Cadet Program on various echelons to members of Congress and congressional staff, presenting the achievements and needs of the Civil Air Patrol Program and requesting appropriations for sustained support
● Program Developer for the Emergency Services Program
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- Created online emergency service qualification methods for Ground Team Members (levels 1, 2, and 3), Mission Radio Operator, and Mission Staff Assistant Positions within the wing; program elevated for possible regional and national implementation
Essays/LORs/Other
Very strong essays (judged by teachers). Four LORs, one from mother (acting as homeschool counselor for senior year) strong but of course admissions might read that as biased because she’s my mom lol, two from past teachers in private school (one STEM and one humanities) both very strong. An “other” LOR from supervisor within the Civil Air Patrol on my leadership and contributions within the program and how I would be able to benefit a university/my future career as a nurse.
Schools
Boston College Connell School of Nursing — ED
Providence College — EA
Villanova — EA
Catholic University of America — EA
In rating my chances, please just be honest!! BC is my absolute dream school, but I am aware that my UW GPA makes that a reach. Hoping that admissions will look at my application holistically and understand the full context, but I do have attainable backups with strong nursing programs in line. App for BC is in, now I’m just waiting which is the absolute worst. Thank you so much in advance!!