Chance me? Reach I think...

Colleges & Universities New York University
1

Hey!
Info: I am a white female at a private all-girl’s school in Memphis, TN. It’s one of the best schools in the state. I’ve taken all honors courses, two advanced honors, and one AP (environmental science).
Grades: I came as a new girl freshman year and struggled and got a few A’s and Bs, and two Cs (Geometry and World History). Sophomore year I improved, with mostly A’s, and two Cs (Algebra II and Chemistry). Junior year, I got all A’s and one C. Those Cs were almost always in math (not my strong suit, obviously hahaha).
Scores: I got a 27 on my first ACT, but haven’t taken it again. I haven’t taken the SAT yet.

ECs: My extra-curriculars are my strongest part of my application.

SERVICE
The Make A Wish Foundation (11)
-Intern: Assisted in planning fundraisers to raise money to grant wishes to children diagnosed with cancer.

Service Over Self (9)
-SOS is a summer program dedicated to assisting those in need of house repair in Binghampton, a low-income neighborhood in Memphis, TN.

Catholic Heart Work Camp (9, 10)
-CHWC is a program dedicated to assisting those in need of house repair all across the United States. Spending a week in Chicago, and a week in Oklahoma City, the program allowed St. Louis Catholic Church teen service to repair houses in poverty stricken communities.

Ascensus Society (10,11,12)
-Awarded to students who have accumulated 115 hours of community service or more throughout high school. Members must earn 25 hours each school year to stay in the society.

EMPLOYMENT
Chickasaw Country Club (10)
-Snack bar worker
-40 hours a week
-May to August 2014

Whimsy Cookie Company (11)
-Front worker
-30 hours a week
-May to ? 2015

ACTIVITIES
Environmental Club (11-12 Co-Founder and Co-President)
-Through the founding of the Environmental Club, we have shared common knowledge to the Hutchison student body about how to properly clean up the community, and how to live a “green” life. We planned a speaker through an architecture company whose mission is to create environmental sustainability all throughout Memphis.

Feminism Redefined Club (12 Co-Founder and President)
-Through the founding of the Feminism Redefined Club, we have learned how to value women throughout our Memphis community. Hearing from speakers locally, discussion current events regarding inequality world-wide, and watching documentaries, we have gained an understanding of how women and men can become equal.

Staff Writer for GrrlPunch Magazine
-GrrlPunch Magazine is an online daily magazine dedicated to the support of teen girls. Through daily articles, poetry, photo chronicles, and music, GrrlPunch is a safe haven for young women to learn more about gender equality across the United States, and across the world.

Global Ambassadors (10-11)
-Organization dedicated to students who display interest in global issues.

Model United Nations (11)
-Program for students to design and implement a position to go through a model United Nations meeting.
-Press Corps

Moving From Action to Reflection Conference (11)
-Environmental Impacts in Developing Countries
-Held annually in either Nashville, TN or Memphis, TN for students who enjoy discussing global issues.

Roger’s Scholars (11)
-Selective program for students dedicated to addressing issues in Memphis.

Choose 901
-Intern: Wrote articles for the blog for things to do for high schoolers in Memphis. Choose 901 is a well-known publication in Memphis.
-40 hours/Summer 2015

International Culinary Society (9-12)
Spanish Club (9-12)
Outdoors Club (10-12)

Overall, NYU is my number one school, but I don’t think I can get in with my grades. I’m either writing my essay on how working at a country club opened my eyes to how class works in America (not sure if that’s a good idea or not), or how my 16 year old dog saved my life and how I saved his. I was overweight (180 lbs), but I started walking him and eventually started running him to get more active. He lost 15 pounds, and I lost 45 (I’m 135 now!!!). I was at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and he was sick with a disease, but losing the weight cured him and me. Anyways, do you have any other ideas of ways to help my chance of getting in?? Would emailing or calling an admission director help me or visiting another time?? I don’t know, I’m desperate. I want to study International Studies.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

2

What is your unweighted gpa? Your act is low for NYU

Extra curriculars look good. Essay topics sound interesting

3

Don’t worry about taking the SAT unless you think you are really going to kill it.
I got into NYU with an ACT score alone by practicing a ridiculous amount at just that and finally getting my score up to a 34, although a score that high isn’t necessary unless you want Merit Scholarships.
Seriously though, they will overlook your GPA if you have a high test score and show focus on one subject.
The one thing I honestly wish someone had told me a long while before i applied is that focus every single thing on your application towards your intended major. Even if you’re undecided, pick one for the sake of it and focus everything you write about, all of your extra curriculars, and the topic of your recommendation letters on your passion for that.
From your ECs above I would say choose something relating towards politics and the empowerment of women.ONLY include ECs that focus on this. Everything you write on your Common App has to relate to this. It really helps them picture you helping a specific area of the university and will give them a fuller picture of you which will increase your chances of getting in with a scholarship.
The only things I would say are an issue are your GPA, C’s really kill that, and your lack of APs. Take a lot of APs next year, or as many as you can handle (I’m assuming it’s your senior year next year) or take some classes at a community college in subjects you have already learned or are good at because those count on a 5.0 scale, like APs do, to boost your GPA.
Right now I’d give you about a 50-65% ish chance of getting in but if you really work and really focus your application and your studies you could very likely get in and also get a scholarship.
Hope this helps.

4

@whateversquared thank you so much!!! that really helped :slight_smile: