Do I have a chance? 2015 Gallatin applicant with "unique" academic situation...

Colleges & Universities New York University
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<p>Objective:
Unweighted GPA: 3.227
Weighted GPA: 3.607 (very rigorous course load)
PSAT: 74 CR, 63 M, 70 W, 207 total
I’m taking the October SAT. I know I can get a 2100 or better.
Rank: Roughly top 30%
AP:

  • 10th: World History (3)
  • 11th: English Language (4), Psychology (4); I studied Psych without a class.
    Senior Year Schedule: Very rigorous for my school; AP Biology, AP English Lit, Econ/AP Gov, NM History (required), Newspaper</p>

<p>Subjective:
EC’s:
Newspaper (10, 11, 12):

  • Staff Writer (10, 11, 12)
  • Backpage Editor (11)
  • Feature & In-Depth Editor (12)
    Multicultural Club (11, 12)
  • President
    Black Student Union (11, 12)
  • Secretary
    Quill & Scroll Honor Society (journalism honor society)</p>

<p>Awards:
Sophomore:

  • Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Regional Gold Key (Novel Writing)
    Junior
  • National Gold Medal for Scholastic Art & Writing (Short Story)
  • National Creativity & Citizenship Award for Scholastic Art & Writing (Journalism)
  • Regional Gold Key for Scholastic Art & Writing (Journalism)
  • Regional Gold Key for Scholastic Art & Writing (Short Short Story)
  • My teacher entered me in the NCTE Achievement in Writing Awards, but we don’t find out till September.
  • I think I’ll be a National Merit Semifinalist, maybe not Finalist due to grades.</p>

<p>Other:
State: NM
Ethnicity: African-American
Income: My parents don’t have any money for college.</p>

<p>My grades are splotchy. Lots of A’s and B’s, some C’s, kind of a weird trend, plus the kicker is that I have three D’s on my transcript: second-semester sophomore year, Honors Algebra II/Trig; first-semester junior year, AP Calc AB and Nursing Science. Nursing Science was a ridiculous elective my parents made me take (despite the fact that I’ve never shown any interest in nursing, so that was a failure in the making). And the math grades…no reason really except disinterest and lack of organization and being, unfortunately, scared of numbers…</p>

<p>I’m applying to Gallatin because I love their philosophy and it’s EXACTLY my type of school. I understand the essays are very important and writing is my strength, but I don’t know if I have a shot with the D’s. And if I somehow miraculously get in, I realize NYU is notoriously bad with aid buuuut…you don’t have a chance at a decent aid package if you don’t apply, right? :D</p>

<p>So anyway, do you think I have a shot? I would greatly appreciate any feedback. :]</p>

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<p>BUMP.</p>

<p>Pretty please someone respond? Lol.</p>

<p>Edit: I’m also a NMSF and was accepted into the Iowa Young Writers Studio which is pretty selective, if that adds anything…</p>

3

<p>Sorry that no one has responded - I’m the mom of a Gallatin student so I’m not in the best position to answer, but I’ll give it a try. While some of the kids seem to have extremely high GPA’s and SAT’s (or ACT’s), they do admit a handful of students based on their match to the school. They really are looking for a certain type of student - creative, independent and heavily focused on the arts. If you fit the bill they will look at your application seriously even if your stats are lower than the norm. Your awards for writing would be a big plus. There is a Gallitan student who frequently writes on these posts that was admitted with a 3.2 because she had great EC’s. You can search around and find some of her posts on other Gallitan threads. Also, when I went to the accepted student orientation one of the Black professors made a comment on his commitment to recuriting more African-Americans so that may work in your favor. So, YES, definately apply. Hope this helps.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much! Your response is very helpful. I’ll have to look for that poster’s posts.</p>

<p>I’ll definitely apply and see what happens! Thanks again, I appreciate it. :)</p>