*Official Thread For Applicants Applying Early Decision or Early Action

Applying to College
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<p>With time fastly approaching, I figured I’d make a thread for those who are applying early to schools… Good luck to all, continue the hard work, and hopefully we get into our top choices!</p>

<p>Applying To: Syracuse University
Programs: 1st choice- Newhouse school, 2nd choice- Sports Management, 3rd- TBD</p>

<p>GPA: About a B+
SAT: 1540
ACT: taking both in september and october
Challengine courses including senior year: AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Statistics, Biology Honors, German 3 Honors, Algebra 2 Trig Honors, English 2 Honors.</p>

<p>I will finish with 4 years of English, Math, Language ( 2 years of Latin, 3 years of german), 4 years of history, 3 years of science, 4 years of religion ( though i realize it doesnt really count).</p>

<p>Essay: Will be unique</p>

<p>Recommendations: 4 in total ( 2 teachers, 1 counselor, and my boss)</p>

<p>Interview: Yes, will have one in November</p>

<p>Visits: I’ve visited Syracuse twice</p>

<p>My Activities/Accomplishments</p>

<p>-I am a professional football writer, and has covered the NFL for over two years. I’ve had articles featured/linked to on ESPN.com, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, The Houston Chronicle, and the National Football Post. In May 2011, I made a guest appearance on ESPN Radio in Hawaii to discuss the NFL Lockout and off season.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I write for National Football Authority, which has been labeled by ESPN as a “credible source”. I cover the Baltimore Ravens for a blog on NFL.com during the football season. Beginning this fall, I will be a beat reporter and color analyst for my high school’s sports radio station.</p></li>
<li><p>I am a member of my school’s Campus Ministry team, which includes leading retreats, being a lector and a eucharistic minister</p></li>
<li><p>I volunteer within my church, and am a reader/lector there multiples times a month.</p></li>
<li><p>I have been a baseball coach for 3 years, and have helped in other ways in the baseball program.</p></li>
<li><p>I am cofounder of “Make A Kid Smile” campaign. The program occurs during Christmas time each year. Modell’s and the baseball league I volunteer in has teamed up and gives free sneakers and other sporting ware to needy kids in my town.</p></li>
</ul>

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<p>Applying To: University of Pennsylvania</p>

<p>Total Unweighted GPA: 3.61 (I’ve had an upward trend)
Weighted GPA (No real scale): 97.701</p>

<p>Rank: 33/415</p>

<p>SAT: 2070/2400 or 1450/1600 (CR: 660, M: 790, W: 620) I’m expecting a 2250+ in my next sitting
SAT II: Literature: 660, US History: 710. I am expecting to improve these scores and get an 800 in Math II</p>

<p>Visual Representation of my Extreme Upward Trend:</p>

<p>9th grade: (3.42)
English 9 CP: A-
World Honors 9: B
Biology Honors: B
Geometry CP: A
Introduction to Business (0.5 credit): A+
Advanced Seminar: B
Concert Band: A
Instrumental Tech (.5 credit): A
Physical Education (.5 credit): B</p>

<p>10th grade: (3.27)
English 10 Honors: B-
American History 1 Honors: B+
Chemistry Honors: C+
Algebra II CP: A
French I: A
Concert Band: A+
Instrumental Tech (.5 credit): A+
Health (.5 credit): B-
Driver Education (.5 credit): A-
Physical Education (.5 credit): B+</p>

<p>11th grade: (3.96)
AP English Language and Composition: A
AP US History: A-
AP Psychology: A
Pre-Calculus Honors: A
Physics Honors: A
French II: A+
Concert Band (.5 credit): A+
Instrumental Tech (.5 credit): A+
Physical Education: B+</p>

<p>AP Scores: US History (5), English Lang&Comp (5), Psychology (4)</p>

<p>Senior Schedule: (Anticipating a 4.00)
AP Literature
AP US Government
AP Microeconomics
AP Statistics
AP European History
French III
Concert Band (.5 credit)</p>

<p>Only 14 APs offered at my school by the way.</p>

<p>ECs:
Marching Band (6 years)
-USSBA 2007 and 2008 Grand National Champions and 2010 Group IV Open National Champions
-Won hundreds of other awards in the USSBA circuit
Percussion Ensemble (5 years)
Wind Ensemble (2 years)
PMEA District Band (2 non-consecutive years)
-Ranked 4th best percussionist in the district
Creative Writing Club (3 years)
-One of the founding members
Interact Club (2 years)
-Raised thousands of dollars through school functions to give to local charities
Young Republicans (1 year)
-Founded the club in my school. First subjective political club in my school.
Blue Eagle Ambassadors (1 year)
-Student Government of hand picked students by the principal
Ski Club (7 years)
Scholastic Scrimmage (2 years)
-2nd place at districts
French Club (2 years)
Fellowship of Christian Students (3 years)
-One of the founding members
Center for Talented Youth (4 years)
-Took classes for 4 summers (Creative Writing, Psychology, Western Philosophy, Astronomy)</p>

<p>Leadership:
Marching Band: Lead Tenor
Young Republicans: Founder/President
Blue Eagle Ambassadors: Student Government
Creative Writing Club: Treasurer
Interact Club: Possibly President, but elections haven’t been held yet.</p>

<p>Volunteer Work:
ArtsQuest: 100+ hours (It’s a local arts and music plaza)
Interact Club: 50+ hours
Church: 30+ hours
Concert for Cancer: Participated to help raise money for cancer treatment</p>

<p>Other Awards:
AP Scholar
National Honors Society
High Honor Roll
Recognition from Principal for Advanced on 4Sight Tests</p>

<p>Hooks: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING</p>

<p>Essay: Still in the works of it. I was told that it displays my passion for band and leadership excellently, but I do not focus on myself enough. If I rewrite it correctly, it should be an awesome essay. My Penn Supplement essay will focus on how I want to go to Penn specific because it offer a PPE major, and it’s in a very diverse city.</p>

<p>Recommendations: From the three best teachers I know. Hopefully my guidance counselor’s recommendation will explain my past struggles.</p>

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<p>Good Luck! Anyone else?</p>