Junior Sternie answering questions

Surish
Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:10:10 +0000

@Vish24:


Well it is all speculative at this point. If you get a 2200, that would be great and within Stern’s normal range. Your GPA is a bit lower than the average but the real question is: Did you really challenge yourself with a rigorous courseload throughout HS? I know a bunch of Sternies who only took like 3 APs in HS, because that was all their school offered. If you didn’t and you only ended with a 3.5 UW, that could be disconcerting. Just don’t lose focus and work hard at getting those short term stats (SATs/SAT IIs) up as high as possible. After all, that is a number than can be controlled easily with lots of hard work.


As for yours ECs, the volunteer work and the entreprenuerial work will look great. Really stress why your businesses are important to you (don’t make it seem like you did it just to get a business related EC). Also it’s fine that you got your business related ECs later on in your HS experience, I doublt any freshman really knows what they want to do. You could try explaining that FBLA was what inspired you or something along those lines. I honestly think your ECs are strong, use them to your advantaage. (Ofc you could just be BS’ing me and they just simply look good on paper lol.)

I won’t lie, I do not really know how you’d fare. I think your chances are just average, you don’t really outshine any of your peers so it will really come down to is you improving your stats and writing amazing essays/receiving good recommendations. ED should really help you though, so don’t despair. If you get rejected during ED, just work even harder and reapply because you fit the typical sternie student profile.


I think if you applied ED1, you could still send in your 1st semester grades for review. But you should call up admissions and ask directly. At my old HS, we have 4 quarters and schools were willing to receive your 1st quarter (and sometimes 2nd quarter) grades after you applied ED. Honestly, if you have really strong upward trend (as in your junior year is all A’s), then I doubt it will matter. I think admissions would just assume you would keep that up. If your grades are a bit more lukewarm (by CC standards, y’know A’s & B’s in APs) and you think you’ll get all A’s your first senior semester, then it could be worthwhile.


Good luck!