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I am currently a high school senior debating whether or not I should apply early decision to NYU.

Here are my stats:

Sports JV Soccer (Spring 2002)
JV Volleyball (Fall 2001)
V Track; pole vaulting, sprinting (Spring 2003, 2004)
V Cheerleading-captain (Fall 2002)
Clubs
Youth in Action (2002-present)
Chess Club (2002-2003)
Gay Straight Alliance (2003-present)
Political Awareness Club-founding member (2004-present)
Newspaper (editor) (2001-present)
Student Government (2001-present; Treasurer from 2002-2003)
Homecoming and Prom Organizer/Committee
(Junior and Senior years)

*My class advisor is writing one of my recommendations. He has known me freshman through senior year and he has me as a student this year in Advanced Physical Geology. I only ran for an office in sophomore year because I hate the whole student government popularity contest.

Activities Creative Writing Seminar Representative for FLHS (Fall 2001)
Creative Writing Retreat (2002-present)
National Youth Forum on Law in Washington, D.C (Spring 2004)
Mentorship Program for 3rd through 5th graders (fall of 2004)
Center for the Arts:
Youth Performer’s Ensemble (1997-2002)
Eclipse Theater Company (2003-2004)
Looking Glass Players: Love Shouldn’t Hurt Conference
(2001-2004)
NWCA 25th Anniversary Gala-performer (2003)


*I was in a non smoking PSA in 2002, I also did a video for NY State about teen smoking. I am also a panel member for Westchester Face Value on trying to prevent teen girls from smoking. Since I wasn’t paid (it was a PSA) should I put this on my resume as well?

Awards
High Honor Roll (2001-2002, 2002-2003, Fall of 2004)
Honor Roll (2003-2004)
Student of the Month
English- 2001
Business- 2004
Pace University Medal for Excellence in Business (2004)
Scholarship Opportunity

*In my marketing class last year, I did really well (99 Average) and this really turned me on to the business world. My teacher is writing me a secondary recommendation, and I am doing an internship program at my school this year for TV and Movie Production.


GPA: 89.9% unweighted

AP World History, US History= 4 on the AP
(taking AP Lit & Comp this year)

Course Load this year:

Pre-Calc (I am terrible at math)
American History Research Program
IP-Internship Program: Year long course
Advanced Physical Geology (college accredited in the SUNY system)
Psychology

1150 on the SATs 660V 490M---I am retaking them in October, and I believe I can get a 1300 (I have only taken the test once and I made a lot of stupid mistakes)

SATII: Lit--670, Writing---630, US History-610

One of my teachers (AP US, American History Research) taught/graduated from NYU and is writing me a recommendation. Also, my uncle taught at NYU, and a good family friend works as an administrator in the College of Arts and Sciences and is willing to recommend me as well.

Should I a) apply early, let NYU know they are my 1st choice and submit myself to the higher scrutiny of a smaller applicant pool or b) apply regular decision with the other 30,000+ students who also want to go to NYU.

By Birdchick21 (Birdchick21) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 01:28 pm: Edit

Forgot to add:

Honors Classes:
English-Soph/Freshman year
World History-Freshman year (AP World in soph)
Honors Humanities in 11th grade

Thanks for any input!!!

By Birdchick21 (Birdchick21) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 12:22 am: Edit

bump bump =)

By Thedilettante (Thedilettante) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 01:56 am: Edit

you have shown leadership in many areas, that rec from nyu graduate will be your special hook. GPA avg is recently lowered from 3.8 to a 3.6. (can't comment on that not knowing how 89.9% will turn out in a 4 point system). you've given NYU reasons to accept you. however (don't hate me for this, i am just trying to help you in whatever way i can...), NYU place great emphasis on your standardized test scores and this can hurt you a great deal. i am hoping that if you raise your SAT score up to 1370+, they'll overlook ur SATIIs due to your "hooks". Another thing that you should look into is the stats (if you can get them from your class adviser) of previous applicants from you school that got into NYU, and how you compare to them. This would give you an idea of where you stand. If this is your first choice college, you should diffinitely apply ED.
Best of luck to you...

By Birdchick21 (Birdchick21) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 11:55 pm: Edit

Okay, last weekend I took a practice and got a 1230.
680V 550M

If I get a 1230-1270 on the real deal what kind of shape will I be in?

And what if by some great luck (and hard studying...) I get a 1300?

Thanks again!

By Hikaritenbatsu (Hikaritenbatsu) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 05:07 pm: Edit

Bring up your math. Math on the SATs is not that hard at all, nothing harder than what you did freshman or senior year. How can you do this you may ask? Do TONS of practice tests. Read a book (thoroughly, no skimming) and practice the exercises. I suggest Princeton Review. If you really want to blow it out of the water, take a prep course, once again with Princeton Review. I began my SATs with a 1260 and after studying/practicing hard and taking a prep course with PR I landed a 1480. Not perfect but respectable, and good enough to get into the colleges of my choice. Do the same! If you really want it, work hard for it. If money is an issue save up and prove that your business savoire-faire. By working hard you can get any SAT score you want (it's not as hard as it's cracked up to be!) Also, make sure to do an interview as they'll get to see that you are a great person and really interested in their school. Good luck, work hard, and you can do it!