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I'm applying to UVA, Princeton, Longwood University, and maybe even George Washington University. I live in Virginia

Stats, reiterated:
SAT: 1220 - retaking in a month, no doubt I can get over 1300
ACT: 30
High School GPA: 2.1
College GPA: 4.0
AP Tests: Human Geo, 5, US History, 4, and I'll be taking Government, Biology, and Comparitive Government AP tests this Spring.

ECs:
(Note: School is on a block scheduling system, so we have 4 classes each day which are 90 minutes each)
1 night class at community college 1 night a week during fall semester junior year
2 night classes at local community college 4 nights a week during spring semester junior year(in addition to 1 AP class, 1 advanced class, and 2 regular classes)
2 night classes 2 nights a week during fall semester senior year (this year, in addition to having 2 AP classes, and 1 "advanced class" and 1 regular class)
Model U.N. Officer (2 years)
Varsity Wrestling (2 years)
Mock Trial Club
Worked for 3 years, worked at same place
Worked for county supervisor campaign and state senator campaigns
Member of Church youth group, and acolyte at Church
Helped coach little league baseball
Built 30 computers for people in the town
Done work for PTA for past 2 years
Read at local nursing home 2 nights a week
Tutors at local middle school
Rings bell for Salvation Army
I've got more, but I don't think they're as strong

Anyhow, as some of you may know, my GPA is very low because of my mom and aunt contracting cancer, and a pin put in my hip all around the same time, which was extremely stressful on me. As you can tell, I've tried to redeem myself in the latter part of my junior year and now the fall of my senior year. Anyhow, I know it sounds crazy applying to these insitutions with my horrible GPA, but I'm kind of hoping my Spring junior and Fall senior academics will really help me out... This is stressful as hell, I've gotten insomnia and my face has begun to get a tingling sensation in it. Haha, I guess that means I'm trying really hard!

But I met with a Princeton Alumni around here and he said he liked me alot and would put in a good word and told me to apply anyway despite the low GPA. Anyhow, I jsut wanted to know what you all though and if you had any tips... Thanks people

By Jayv85 (Jayv85) on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 08:02 pm: Edit

well, you have 1000 times more of a chance getting in then I ever will.

By Adxj220 (Adxj220) on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 09:56 pm: Edit

All of them are huge reaches as far as i can tell, except for Longwood. Are you applying ED anywhere? You might try it at GW--even then its a stretch. If you have any special talents, make them known. Get good recs, explanations for your gpa, and bump up your test scores. good luck

By Ageorgis (Ageorgis) on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 10:24 pm: Edit

I don't think I can make any more bumps for my ACT... I've got awesome recs, I have one from a teacher at the community college that has tought me in two classes, and I have one from a teacher at the high school that has taught me for 4 classes and has seen me evolve from the horrible despair filled student my freshman year to the motivated work a holic my senior year. I don't plan on applying ED anywhere.

My talents I guess would be my political skills and my computer building skills. I quickly moved through the ranks of Model UN and received a few awards within the 2 years I was in it. I also have built 30 computers and I suppose would have a nice mastery of it. I'm working so hard now that I'll probably have a 2.7 when I go to apply to most colleges... 2.7 still isn't that high, but .6 in one semester is ALOT, and trust me, it's not easy.

By Chrisy (Chrisy) on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 10:50 pm: Edit

You should apply to an additional school (5-8 schools total). You should also apply early, I don't suggest Princeton ED because chances are slim (if you have your heart set out on being a Princeton Tiger then I suggest you request an interview with an admissions counselor, alumni have very little power in the admissions process). Since every school you picked with the exception of Longwood has an ED progam, you should apply to Longwood EA (deadline 12/1)and pick a top school for ED. I think it would be better for you to apply for UVA ED first (acceptance 40% early deadline 11/1), around 12/15 you should receive a decision, if you are deferred and rejected you should apply to George Washington ED2 (acceptance rate 51% deadline 12/1) because the chance you'll be admitted in the regular pool is very very slim, so don't waste your time. You're probably wondering how you're going to apply to George Washington if the deadline is 12/1, before 12/15 notification of ED1. All you need to do is send the application to George Washington before 12/1 under regular application and after the notification deadline, if you need to apply to another school, have your counselor call or you can write a letter changing your regular to early decision. It is better if your counselor call, she'll say "He's a very strong applicant, he was not ready to commit then but now he is". Apply to Princeton before the 11/1 (ED deadline) under Regular decision, although your chances are lower than ED it is higher than Regular without the bind or commitment because it shows interest in your part. I wish good health to all members of your family and good luck to you on the college application process.

By Ageorgis (Ageorgis) on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 11:00 pm: Edit

Wow, thanks Chrisy, I appreciate your post, it was VERY helpful! Are there any other things you'd suggest me do during the next few months to help make me look like a stronger applicant? Thanks.

By Clickspring (Clickspring) on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 11:49 pm: Edit

Your ACT score is much better than your SAT. Work on raising that since you're already ahead.

By Valpal (Valpal) on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 11:52 pm: Edit

Ageorgis, have you considered James Madison University? It's always been a perrenial favorite in our neck of the woods (my D is considering it as a saftey) and it offers a pretty good education for the dollar. It's admissions requirements are not nearly as stringent as UVA's. It could be a statistical match for you in light of your freshman and sophmore year difficulties. Your recent academic comeback speaks loudly of your character. I wish you the best of luck.

By Ageorgis (Ageorgis) on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 05:19 pm: Edit

Thanks Valpal... I have family around JMU and have visited the area many times. Even though it IS a pretty big party school, I simply despise the area completely. The temptations at JMU seem too great as well Been to many a JMU party before.

Right now I'm trying to score an internship at a local law firm this fall... Would it be worth trying to get that for a great EC, or should I simply not bother as it wouldn't make much of a difference?

By Tsdad (Tsdad) on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 06:36 pm: Edit

What about VT? Christopher Newport? ODU?

I think UVA is going to be hard for you. Will it be possible to write an essay about the difficulties you experienced in hs and how they impacted your grades?

You might want to seriously think about going to community college for one or two years, perform real well and then apply to top schools.

By Ageorgis (Ageorgis) on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 06:41 pm: Edit

Tsdad, I've already gone to community college. I have a semester of work done, and if AP classes are counted, well over a semster. Community college isn't for me, as it does not challenge my mind enough.

Virginia Tech, Christopher Newport and ODU don't interest me at all. As a UVA fan, I naturally despise Tech, and Christopher Newport is hardly above commmunity college level, especially since a large number of CNU profs teach the same classes at community colleges as well. ODU fits into the same vein as well. I just don't think those institutions would fit me at all. I probably will write a very well composed essay. It's pretty much all I can do.

By Tsdad (Tsdad) on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 07:01 pm: Edit

I understand. GW will probably be easier than UVA to get into. I guessing your in NoVA? Why not also consider American?

By Ageorgis (Ageorgis) on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 07:05 pm: Edit

I am in Williamsburg to be exact I guess it is safe to understand why I do not want to go to William and Mary What is American?

By Tsdad (Tsdad) on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 08:08 pm: Edit

American University in Upper NW DC. Unlike GW it has a collegey-type campus. Probably a step below GW academically, but not a bad place.

By Chrisy (Chrisy) on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 02:39 pm: Edit

Colleges love initiative, so if you could found/start a club it would be great (founding something means alot more to colleges than if you joined all the clubs in your school and took no leadership positions). I suggest something that means alot to you (offering help to cancer patients and their families/ a benefit run for cancer/ a foundation to get big businesses to donate money for research). I understand that it is very hard to run the club efficiently in such a short period of time so I suggest something meaningful yet manageble (an one-time event/local club). It might not be a success but as long as you did it you can write that on your college app. and perhaps a topic for an essay. And also, relating to my last message, visit George Washington between 12/1 and 12/15. This gives you an excuse, your counselor could say, "After visiting the campus, he just knew this is the right place for him". Luck, Chrisy

By Ageorgis (Ageorgis) on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 04:56 pm: Edit

I've been brainstorming the past few days about an activity or club to start... I've got a few ideas, but I need to find a teacher that would be willing to sponsor the club... Any other input would be extremely appreciated