<p>I’m applying to NYU as a transfer, with a fall GPA of 3.56 (on the dean’s list), and a fairly average ACT score, with a large amount of extra-curriculars and rankings. However, from fifth grade through the first half of my senior year, i went to underdeveloped, understaffed, inner city (type) schools where I lived. Nobody was expected to go to college, and the graduation rate at my last school was 40% - so more or less, I started out rather weakly and on the wrong foot. I was wondering whether mentioning this in my application would help or hurt the decision. I don’t want to come off as whining, but the schools I went to held a huge negative effect on my performance, until I transfered to SUNY Plattsburgh where I’m doing fairly well.
Anyone have any suggestions?</p>
<p>Edit: One more question, as a transfer student I read somewhere on NYU’s site that if you’re currently in college that an ACT/SAT score is not required, since my scores are average, would it be better not to include them at all?</p>
<p>I checked around, and found at that the state required tests for one my schools - only 6% passed the math section, only 12% passed the algebra section (for freshmen) and 21% passed the reading tests. Should I mention these stats as well? Including the many shootings, bomb threats, and fires?</p>
<p>Okay, maybe not the shootings, bomb threats, and and fires thing…but have you though about turning it into one of your short answers or perhaps taking one event that may have had an impact on you and turning it into your essay? That may be a way to incorporate it into your application without sounding like you are whining. </p>
<p>I don’t think it will hurt your decision if you do it this way because then they will be able to see how you have overcome your situation. There are lots of kids who come from schools like yours and go on to do great things…show NYU that you will be one of them!</p>
<p>However, if you just up and say I went to underdeveloped, understaffed, inner city schools and include those statistics, I think there is a chance that they might not look at it as overcoming your situation, and they may look at it as an excuse. They certainly want to know about your uniquie situation, but they also want to see how you excelled in spite of it.</p>
<p>As far as the ACT/SAT score thing, it’s up to you if you want to include them. If you’ve already applied, then they still have them and it’s too late. If you haven’t, then I think, at least in my opinion (you may want to get some more solid advice on this) that it’s okay for you to leave them out if it’s not required for you.</p>