Getting a little worried!

mrsmontana
Fri, 03 Oct 2014 17:10:27 +0000

My son is in the Class of 2018 at Lincoln Center (undeclared major, but leaning toward politics or history, or both), and applied to 10 different schools with varying results. Here’s my two cents:

You can’t change the past, you can only help to change the future. If you don’t apply to Fordham you won’t get in. My son had Cs in 10th grade, and some low Bs in 11th grade. His overall GPA was about a 3.1. He went to an independent school where every class was an honors class, so I don’t know how Fordham recalculated his grades, but I’m assuming they were bumped up to about a 3.6 or maybe even 4.1. Statistically, he shouldn’t have been accepted, but he was AND was given great merit money (I disagree with those above who think colleges should do away with merit $; we’ve put three kids through private schools and we are not rich–the $ certainly helps). His ACT was 29 (some 30s and 31s, but the science score brought it down) and a 10 in writing. He was selected to be enrolled in Comp II as opposed to Comp I freshman year and is thriving.

Why did he get in with barely a 3.1 GPA? Maybe it’s because he’s a great kid with a lot going for him, and Fordham’s college counselor who visited his school was impressed with him (she remembered him when we visited the Open Houses in October). He had work experience, great ECs, fantastic recs, and is a student leader. His personal statement was thoughtful and on an unusual topic. Villanova rejected him (as did GW), but NYU wait-listed him until August. He was also accepted to great private schools in the Pacific NW and Occidental, all giving him merit aid. He’s thrilled to have been accepted and the Lincoln Center campus is unbelievable, as is the new dorm. Give it a shot, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t get in. You sound like a great person and any college will be happy to have you.