Hopefully I'm not a totally lost cause... Chance me?

Colleges & Universities Boston University
1

<ul>
<li>GPA 2.5 </li>
<li>First SAT was a 1720 (2nd semester jr year), although I re-took it after tutoring (early Oct this year) and am hoping for something around 1800-2000.</li>
<li>Honors/AP student</li>
<li>Studied abroad for a semester as a sophomore in France</li>
<li>Went to Georgetown University for a month during the summer between junior and senior year to study IR and row</li>
<li>Equestrian all four years of high school (even in France), made possible by a trainer who was nice enough to not charge me the full amount plus volunteering at the barn</li>
<li>Varsity rower (although I am a novice)</li>
<li>Went on unofficial recruiting trip for BU rowing and the coach is interested even knowing my GPA </li>
<li>Talked to my state’s admissions officer so she knows a bit about my history</li>
<li>Have a letter of rec from AP Lang/AP Lit teacher </li>
<li>Have a letter from my therapist confirming I was in therapy (to reinforce that my depression/home life were a legitimate problem)</li>
<li>Applying ED to CGS</li>
</ul>

<p>My GPA is so awful because of my family life and depression. Without giving away too much info, I lived with divorced parents who immigrated from Africa and was living below the poverty line. I endured a lot of physical/verbal abuse from my father and missed a lot of school in the beginning of high school because of that. I saved money for my entire freshman year and sent myself to France with the support of family friends and am now fluent in the language. When I came back, things only got worse at home and I became horribly depressed. Enough that I would cry in class and I got a lot of attention from the school psychologist and my counselor at school as well as my teachers. I finally got to my breaking point (second semester of junior year… I know, perfect timing) and went to therapy and moved out of my dad’s home (haven’t talked to him since) to my family friend’s home and things have been better. My grades have been exponentially better, too. I’ve detailed the circumstances and what I did to get over them in my application.</p>

<p>I’m trying to stay hopeful as I’m not one of the cases of “I didn’t care in HS and now I regret it.”</p>

2

<p>You may have a shot if your SAT score increases. That would show that you are a capable student. Also a suggestion… Maybe you could showcase your French by taking the French subject test? Just a thought</p>

3

<p>I’m going to take the french subject test but I’m not sure that the scores will be in by the time I’ve applied (ED). I guess it will be useful if I’m deferred.</p>

4

<p>If you showcase your struggles in your essay I would say you have a chance. Good Luck!</p>

5

<p>Thank you!</p>

6

<p>Good luck sweetie! Hopefully we both get in :)</p>

7

<p>Depends on how strong of a rower you are. What’s your 2k and 5/6k erg score? There’s a certain index number that colleges use in order to see whether or not you are a candidate for their school. Since you are planning on being recruited, you’ll be in a separate pile of applicants. I’m a rower as well and I’ve been rowing for 3 years now on the Varsity Team. My team is nationally ranked so it all depends. :smiley: Good Luck!</p>

8

<p>I don’t have a real 2k yet, but my 5k is 22:02 and I’m a novice (I started rowing the summer before senior yet. I am in love with it though!!!)</p>