how I got into SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY: my stats & advice

Summary

Peyton Beck shares her high school statistics and advice for applying to Syracuse University, particularly its S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She emphasizes that admissions are competitive and unpredictable: scores matter, but students with different academic profiles may be admitted, and there is no guaranteed formula.

Admissions figures she cites

For the 2016–2017 school year, Beck reports:

• Syracuse’s overall acceptance rate was 52.3%.
• Newhouse’s acceptance rate was about 8.5%—roughly 400 admitted applicants out of around 4,700, according to her estimate.
• The average SAT score for admitted Syracuse students was 1,255 out of 1,600.
• Newhouse’s average SAT score was in the 1,300s.
• The average admitted-student GPA was 3.63 at Syracuse and 3.8 at Newhouse. Beck thinks these GPAs may be weighted, but isn’t certain.

Beck’s academic profile

• SAT: 1,430 total—720 in reading and English and 710 in math. She started with an 1,120, took the SAT three times, and practiced between attempts.
• GPA: 4.37 cumulative across high school and 4.65 for senior year. She describes these as weighted.
• She did not take the ACT, saying her practice result was poor.

Beck says her AP courses included U.S. History, Biology, Statistics, U.S. Government and Politics, Psychology, and Art. She reports scores of 5 in AP U.S. History and Psychology, 4 in Biology and Government, and 3 in Statistics. She does not state an AP Art score. She says her AP results earned her college credit, including Statistics.

Advice and lessons

Prepare strategically for standardized tests

• Take the SAT more than once if possible.
• Use practice tests between attempts to build familiarity with the test.
• Learn test-taking strategies, including how to make educated guesses when unsure.
• Beck recommends Khan Academy as a study resource.

Choose a challenging course load you can manage

AP and honors courses can raise a weighted GPA, depending on the school’s system. Challenging classes can show admissions readers that you are willing and able to handle demanding work. Do well in those courses when possible; AP exams may also result in college credit.

Finish high school strongly

Maintain effort during senior year after being admitted. Beck advises against letting grades slip, since a significant decline could put an offer of admission at risk.

Be involved beyond academics

Participate in school or community activities and demonstrate what you could contribute to campus. Beck’s activities included leading an Interact service club, mock trial, plays, and the California Scholarship Federation. She notes that sports can also be included, though her own involvement came from other areas.

Put care into application essays

Start early and develop a clear concept. Research the university and the specific school or program. For Newhouse, Beck completed an additional essay explaining why she wanted to attend. Include specific details that show genuine interest and effort rather than submitting a generic response.

Speakers and sources featured

• Speaker: Peyton Beck, the video’s creator and a Syracuse/Newhouse student discussing her own application experience.
• Referenced resources and information: Syracuse and Newhouse admissions averages as researched by Beck; Khan Academy, which she recommends for SAT preparation.
• Other speakers: None identified.