Polish American's chances at SFS please

Colleges & Universities Georgetown University
1

<p>White Female
Public High School (Rated in Newsweek top 100)
GPA 3.95
My school doesn’t rank, but i’d guess the top 10% at least
ACT: 30 (taking again in October)
APs: U.S. History 5, European History 5, Language and Composition 4
Not yet taken SAT IIs</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
Genetics, Bacteriology, and Embryology
Symphony Orchestra
12 AP Literature and Composition
AP Economics
Spanish 4
Precalculus</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Violin/Orchestra- I’ve been playing for 7 years, member of various school orchestras, private lessons, solo & ensemble competitions, festivals, etc.</p>

<p>NHS-Public Relations Officer, peer tutor at my high school and a local middle school twice a week throughout the school year, heavily involved in other volunteering events (its my favorite club :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Church- Active member of the youth group for four years, teach catechism every sunday, lots of volunteer hours from events.</p>

<p>Obviously, these aren’t my only activities (i also work part-time at two jobs, play volleyball/run track, member of Spanish Club, etc.) but they’re what i enjoy doing the most so thats all i’m going to list for now. </p>

<p>I’m looking to major in International Relations with a focus on Eastern Europe (i’m a first generation fluent in Polish) . </p>

<p>Reaches:
Georgetown (EA)
University of Chicago (EA)</p>

<p>Match:
University of Michigan (EA)</p>

<p>Safety:
Loyola University Chicago (EA)</p>

<p>So based on the few details i’ve provided, what are my chances at SFS?</p>

2

<p>your GPA is very good, and probably your strongest point. For such a high ranked school however, you don’t seem to have taken a lot of AP’s. Since Newsweek ranks exclusively by AP tests taken, I imagine there were a lot offered. Have you not taken the most rigorous curriculum available (especially, I’m guessing, in math/science?) If so, that might hurt you. </p>

<p>Your ACT score is also a little low, although the fact that you’re first generation may compensate a bit for that, but it’s still one of the weakest points in your application. Work on this next ACT, and consider looking into the SAT.</p>

<p>In terms of EC’s, they do demonstrate dedication, which is good (it’s especially amazing that with so many sports, ECs, and work that you can achieve the grades you are). However there are quite a few problems as well. For starters, even though you’re applying to one of the best IR schools in the country, you don’t seem to have a single EC devoted to IR. Additionally, you haven’t shown much leadership, aside from NHS, let alone made an impact at the state or national level. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you will be competing against people with far more leadership than you’ve demonstrated. Do however, play up the working two jobs bit. Georgetown loves that stuff in the first place, but combined with the fact you’re a first generation, they’ll eat it up.</p>

<p>That’s just my two cents, I could be way off. I hate to be so critical, but I think Georgetown is going to have to remain solidly in the “reach” column for you.</p>

3

<p>I think DCforMe is a bit harsh, I got into the SFS and UChicago without any international relations extra curriculars. I had only two major extracurriculars and I happened to have leadership positions in them, but I think the fact that you work part time jobs and have such a dedication to music and sports will help make up for that. But since you have no real demonstrated interest for international affairs in your stats you will need to get specific in your essays and the other parts of the application that allow you to explain a bit. They should be able to read the application without knowing what school you applied for and figure out you were meant for the SFS.</p>

4

<p>First off, thanks a lot for the feedback, i really didn’t expect any replys so soon. </p>

<p>Moving on, I actually made a mistake in my first post. I thought my school was ranked in the top 100, when in reality its more in the 500 range. Sorry about that…</p>

<p>In reference to the rigor of my curriculum, I’ll have taken six AP classes by the time i graduate, which is about the average number for students who are applying to selective (but no Ivy) universities. In reference to rigorous science/math classes, i took Chem AP last year but its difficult to fit in all my school’s prerequisites and AP courses with Orchestra and Spanish in my schedule. </p>

<p>I understand that my ECs aren’t exactly IR-related, but i’ve spent most of high school finding out what kind of person i am and what i enjoy doing, which all point me in the direction of International Relations. I’ll try to elaborate more on that in my essays. </p>

<p>Thanks again for your input, i sincerely appreciate it.</p>