Skip to main content
5 answers
4
Updated 1017 views

What are my chances on getting into Spelman and Clark Atlanta along with getting a presidential scholarship from each school?

I currently have a 3.8 weighted GPA and the school's average freshman GPA for Spelman is 3.9 and a 2.7 for Clark. I have at the least 100 community service hours but maybe closer to 200. I would plan on majoring in physics with a mechanical engineering dual degree so I have many STEM extracurriculars. I have leadership positions and I'm active in my community. I'm a junior so I don't have to write my essay just yet but I think the idea I have for it is pretty good. By my senior year I will have 10-12 APs and 5-7 honors. I'll have 4 years plus AP Spanish credit and 2 years of Chinese. I have research hours and awards in competitions. I'm pretty sure I could get in but I'm not to sure of my chances on getting good scholarships. Not sure if this matters but I would also double major in fashion and double minor in Japanese and game design/development.

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you

4

5 answers


1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Genesis !

Although I do not represent Spelman College or Clark Atlanta University, my feeling is that you are a great candidate for either college. I can't tell you what your chances are but personally I am impressed with your rich academics and abundant work with activities, so you have great experience, too !

If you are wondering what your "chances" are to be accepted, you can get an idea by knowing their Acceptance Rates. Spelman's acceptance rate consistently stays at 34%, so that's kind of low but not as low as some other schools. Clark Atlanta University's acceptance rate varies but is usually around 56%, so it's higher than Spelman. These rates represent the percentage of students that get accepted out of thousands that apply. Don't let this stop you. Apply to both colleges. I agree with you that your chances are good for being accepted at either college.

As for scholarships, there are hundreds that you can apply for other than the ones offered by the college for their students. I wouldn't worry too much about that because there's no way to even tell which or how many you would get until you apply to scholarships and wait to hear back. There's no way to foresee it, but you have strong courses, extracurriculars and most importantly are ambitious and motivated. That means a lot.

The only thing that I would actually advise about is not to double major or go for a dual degree. Also, I would advise reconsidering majoring in physics as it is part of a career but not the degree geared to a career like Mechanical Engineering would be. I would suggest that you go for ONE Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and take a few physics courses in college. There may even be a special physics course in the Engineering program. Go over this with your guidance counselor, don't take my word for it, but I would not double major at all, let alone in two heavy demanding subjects. It's way too much work, too many lab hours, too many courses each semester and you will have to pay for each credit you take, so it'd be more expensive. It can be stressful and jeopardize you attaining good grades. Employers never require that applicants have two Bachelors Degrees that they acquired simultaneously, so it's not needed and you can see how things go with one major before even taking on a Minor.

If you double Major, which some students are calling a Dual Degree, you may even have to stay in college beyond the usual four years it takes to get a Bachelors Degree. I recently read this month (sorry I cannot cite the article) that students have decreased Double Majoring lately because it's just too much. Double Majoring is so low that there are even no statistics for it. Let your college experience go smoothly. You'll need time for Mechanical Engineering projects, classwork, lab hours and that takes up a lot of time.

So, I would guess that your chances are pretty good getting into your two choices of colleges. Try not to worry about it too much, you seem like a desirable candidate in my opinion. Return here to ask more questions about Scholarships, Grants and Federal Student Financial Aid because it's a lot of information.

I hope this is helpful and I know you're going to do well !
1
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Ethan’s Answer

Hi Genesis!

I want to start by saying that you seem like a very accomplished and driven individual. I commend you for thinking about the college admissions process early and seeking out ways to improve your chances. Similarly to Michelle, I don't represent either of the colleges but I believe your stats and extracurriculars put you in a good position for admission to these two colleges.

I would say that statistics are important, but another key portion of the admissions process is essays. For whichever major you choose, I would recommend that your essays follow a common thread of something you are passionate about. For example, if you choose to major in mechanical engineering, your essays should show how your past experiences have given you a passion for the space. I think something I realized when getting to college was that switching or adding majors was a lot easier than I had expected. So, I would focus on expressing your interest in one major in your application and you can always add or change later on in college.

I hope this is helpful. Best of luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Ethan for the advice. Genesis
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Malcolm’s Answer

Hey Genesis!

Congratulations on all of your success thus far. I would recommend giving yourself more options to choose from as far as a HBCU awarding you with that type of scholarship. While Spellman and Clark Atlanta are great schools apart of the AUC, schools such as Hampton, Howard, North Carolina A&T, Florida A&M, Tennessee State, and Texas Southern are great institutions that would also love to have a student of your caliber. I also would suggest my alma mater in Kentucky State university.

As far as scholarships in general, I found that while the Presidential scholarships are really helpful if you receive one, there is steep competition. I would research smaller scholarships that are easier to obtain so that you have a large pool of funding from multiple sources rather than relying on one source.
Thank you comment icon thank you! Genesis
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Genesis!

Chances of Admission and Scholarships at Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University

To assess your chances of admission to Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University, as well as the likelihood of receiving a presidential scholarship from each institution, we will analyze several key factors: your academic performance, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, and the specific admission and scholarship criteria for both schools.

1. Academic Performance

Your current weighted GPA of 3.8 is competitive for both institutions:

Spelman College: The average freshman GPA is 3.9. While your GPA is slightly below the average, it is still within a reasonable range for consideration. Spelman also looks at the rigor of coursework; with plans to complete 10-12 AP courses by your senior year, you demonstrate strong academic ambition.

Clark Atlanta University: The average freshman GPA is 2.7. Your GPA significantly exceeds this average, which enhances your chances of admission.

2. Extracurricular Activities and Leadership

You mentioned having numerous STEM extracurriculars along with leadership positions in your community. This involvement is crucial because:

Spelman College values students who are not only academically strong but also engaged in their communities and have demonstrated leadership skills.

Clark Atlanta University similarly appreciates well-rounded candidates who contribute positively to their communities.

Your active participation in STEM-related activities aligns well with your intended major in physics and mechanical engineering, which could strengthen your application further.

3. Community Service Hours

Having between 100 to 200 community service hours is impressive and speaks volumes about your commitment to social responsibility—an important factor for both colleges:

Spelman College often considers community service as part of its holistic review process.

Clark Atlanta University also values applicants who show dedication to community engagement.

4. Future Plans and Unique Interests

Your intention to double major in fashion while minoring in Japanese and game design/development adds a unique dimension to your application:

This diversity in interests may appeal to both institutions as they look for students who can bring varied perspectives to campus life.
5. Scholarship Opportunities

Regarding presidential scholarships:

Spelman College offers merit-based scholarships that consider academic excellence, leadership potential, and community involvement. Given your strong GPA (close to the average), extensive extracurriculars, and community service hours, you may be a competitive candidate for such awards.

Clark Atlanta University provides various scholarships based on merit as well; given that your GPA far exceeds their average requirement, you stand a good chance of being considered for significant financial aid opportunities.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis above:

Your chances of getting into Spelman College are moderate but competitive due to your strong academic record and extracurricular involvement.
Your chances at Clark Atlanta University are high given that your GPA significantly exceeds their average.
You have a good probability of receiving presidential scholarships from both institutions due to your academic achievements and commitment to community service.

In summary, while there are no guarantees in college admissions or scholarship awards due to varying factors each year (such as applicant pool competitiveness), you appear well-positioned based on the information provided.

Probability the answer is correct: 90%

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:

Spelman College Admissions Office

Provides detailed information regarding admission requirements, average GPAs of admitted students, scholarship opportunities, and holistic review processes.

Clark Atlanta University Admissions Office

Offers insights into admission standards, scholarship criteria, and profiles of successful applicants which help gauge competitiveness.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

A reliable source for statistical data on colleges including enrollment figures, demographic information about students attending these institutions, and general trends in higher education admissions practices.

✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|=============THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==============|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Mark’s Answer

It honestly depends on the criterias the schools are needing. Your awards and accomplishments are amazing and certainly will help in your application process within these two colleges. I am sure your Senior year will bring in even more accomplishments! Those two colleges how low acceptance rates. Clark Atlanta has a bigger acceptance rate then what Spelman has. Your accomplishments will certainly help you have a higher chance of getting accepted into both of these school. Your awards will also help with the presidential scholorship.
Thank you comment icon thank you! Genesis
0