Chance me: NJ resident 4.6 W/34 ACT applying for business/economics

Chance Me / Match Me
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NJ resident, indian female, public school

Intended major(s): mostly applied for business, some economics

4.6 W gpa, 4.1 UW, 34 act, rank is likely in top 10% but school does not release rank info

Coursework: AP physics 1 (4), AP US history (5), AP calc bc (4), AP english lang (5), AP micro (5), AP macro (4), AP physics 2 (4), taking 5 more AP classes this year (senior)

Awards: National merit scholar commendation, AP scholar with distinction, national honor society, math honor society, spanish honor society, journalism honor society, music honor society, brandeis book award (For civic engagement)

Extracurriculars:
Section leader of marching band (4 years-varsity letter), internship at local newspaper over the summer, principal clarinetist of statewide youth orchestra, waitress in a restaurant at a senior living center, managing editor of school newspaper, founder of local initiative to give free music lessons to young students, job shadowed/interviewed marketing professionals at NYC-based media group, president of music honor society, VP of NHS, captain of school Consumer Bowl team.

I’m concerned that most of my ECs aren’t business related, which will affect my chances at business schools.

Very strong essays, expecting good LORs

Schools:
UVA ED Reach (waitlisted)
SUNY Binghamton EA Safety(accepted w/scholarship for business)
Fordham EA Safety (accepted w/scholarship for business)
Villanova EA Match (deferred for business)
UNC EA Reach (rejected)

Northeastern Reach EA-business
Amherst RD Reach-economics
Boston College RD Reach-business
Boston University RD Match-business
Georgetown University RD Reach-business
Haverford College RD Match?-economics
Lehigh University RD Likely-business
NYU RD Reach-first choice Stern but also put down arts and sciences for econ
Tufts University RD Reach-economics
Vassar College RD Match?-economics
Wake Forest University RD Match-business
Wesleyan University RD Match-economics
College of William & Mary Match-economics

I was also wondering if it’s possible to switch my Boston College application to EDII. I’m freaking out because I got deferred from Villanova so now I’m not really sure what to do! Villanova has a clear option to switch to EDII but BC does not and it’s one of my top choices. If I can email the admissions office to switch to EDII then I will, but I don’t know if this is something that’s acceptable to do.

Thank you!!

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Congrats to you for having acceptances to Binghamton and Fordham! Can you call BC and ask about EDll?

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I’d call BC and ask about the switch potential. I’m most familiar with William and Mary and feel like you have a great chance there. But OOS admission is 28%, so not a sure thing. You don’t declare a major there until sophomore year, so you are compared to all of the other applicants.

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Requesting @Catcherinthetoast’s input.

Is Fordham (where OP has already been accepted) better than BC in terms of career opportunities?

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In terms of IB career opportunities, I would see Fordham vs BC as comparable. I do think on the margin BC has a bit more of a national reputation but either school places well and has active and supportive alumni networks.

In terms of game theory, I would not change to ED2 at BC. At this late stage, I wouldn’t imagine it would materially increase your likelihood of admission. Translation, the outcome will likely be the same but if you change to ED and are accepted you don’t get to consider all of your other outcomes. You gain very little if anything but potentially loose a lot of optionality.

I saw you are considering schools like Wesleyan and Vassar. These are completely different academic experiences and very unique communities. I am assuming you applied to them because you might want to experience a humanities concentration at a non urban LAC.

If you change to ED at BC and get in, that scenario is gone and the decision is made for you. Given you have a great option at Fordham why paint yourself into that corner in exchange for a marginal improvement in odds at a comparable school that clearly wasn’t your first choice.

I know you are anxious to be done. This is a time where some patience will likely serve you well.

Good luck.

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Thank you so much for the advice!

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Congrats on a great record. One thing we don’t know is your UW GPA on a 4 point scale - because you are over a 4. If you took a 4 for an A, 3 for a B, etc. - then what would it be. I’m guessing you get a 4.33 for A+ - so maybe your true UW is like a 3.8.

Your ECs needn’t match your major and I’d disagree they’re not business related. For example, 4 years in band - and section leader - i.e. leadership.

Waitress - i.e. customer service.

You are selling yourself short. But that they don’t match isn’t really relevant.

So you got very few decisions back. UNC - as you noted a reach. UVA would be too. Nova - likely a match or reach - but you got into SUNY B and Fordham - so you did well.

I’m not sure you can say that BU, for example, is a match - based on their yield tactics, etc. but you do already have great admits.

If BC is a clear top choice - and affordable - and not just to game, then throw it in as ED2. Many schools offer this - it’s better for them. But if you are full pay, note it will cost multiples of those you got into.

The question is - what are you looking to do with your degree. You don’t note it here. When I see a Fordham vs. BC question, it’s really being asked in terms of IB I believe - and is that the right assumption or not…because for non-IB, the answer is likely different - and all these schools would be great - including SUNY B.

In the end, you have a reach heavy list - but it doesn’t matter. You can only go to one and you have two great ones.

But if you don’t get in, it’s not because of your ECs which frankly are fantastic - and hopefully you enjoyed your musical experience.

Best of luck.

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If the money works, it is great that you’ve already got Fordham in the bag, because you would have the possibility of internships in NYC throughout the school year, ongoing, that could lead to job offers. I’d take that over a lot of the other options, except maybe NYU. You’re in good shape, with a great acceptance with merit money. Relax. Try to enjoy senior year activities. It’s going to be fine, no matter how it comes out, with the rest of the schools.

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Thank you! I’m confused on what IB means in regards to Fordham vs. BC. Could you elaborate on that? Thanks so much!

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Investment banking.

From reading I wouldn’t think it’s your goal but others seem to think so - I’m hypothesizing - based on their questions or comments.

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IB means investment banking but my comments weren’t limited to banking. Fordham and BC are regional peers in and around NY and the Northeast while BC likely has a broader national following and familiarity.

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Got it, thanks!

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