<p>Hello... well, I've posted my whole song and dance on the parents' forum a while back, but I'd like the advice of everyone familiar with Williams specifically. I've basically narrowed my possible ED list to Swarthmore, Williams, and Wellesley (in no particular order). I really love all these schools for different reasons, and I think I'd be able to get across why I love Williams in my interview/ essay. My problem is: I had some serious health issues during my junior year, and my grades definitely suffered for it. I managed to finish out the year with all B's except for an A in English, but I had to drop down a level for physics as I had to miss a lot of class. My GPA is around a 3.5/3.6 at this point. However, I'm really passionate about my EC's and about academic areas that interest me... I'm All State/All Eastern for singing, I play the harp, the first ever junior to be student rep to the board of ed, and I student rep on around 10 different administrative committees within my school system. I also went to the New Jersey Governor's School for International Studies this summer. I have a lot of ideas for my essay, and I like to write, so I expect it will be very good. As far as SATs go, I have 800v 800w 600 math (retaking for math). Do you think, on the basis of my grades, that Williams is completely out of my reach? Thanks for any input :)</p>
<p>Given your medical history, your passion for extracurriculars, and your SATs, Williams is definitely worth applying to.</p>
<p>I think Williams will be doing itself a great disservice if it does not consider you worthy of admission, especially ED.</p>
<p>Definitely do not consider Williams out of your reach. Your academics, though perhaps lower than average, are certainly acceptable given your circumstances. If you choose to do so, an essay about your health issues may help to drive this point across, but even if you don't, you can certainly mention your health issues on some part of the application. Your ECs sound pretty tight. And as you already know, the SAT math score could use improvement. Would you happen to be a URM (Asian counts for Williams)? If so, I'd say your chances are fairly strong.</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone... one slight curveball I'm afraid might affect my chances: the health issues were an eating disorder that I have since recovered from. Do you think they'll be scared off, even if I'm talking about how I got over it in my essay? Thanks for any input: )</p>
<p>I bet they'd admire you for your will to overcome the disorder.</p>
<p>Lady L, You sound to me like the kind of student that Williams often favors engaged, articulate, talented, multifaceted. Your music accomplishments, your political involvement, your scores and presumably your recommendations and essays could compensate for your relatively mid-range GPA. ED would be a boost, but even without it, you should have a sound chance. </p>
<p>Although I am sympathetic to your health issues, I would steer away from featuring them on your application. Maybe another school would react positively; however my GUESS (and at this point all you can get from anyone is a guess) is that focusing on any psychological issues would introduce an element of risk that the Adcom doesnt need to take. I dont mean that you should hide the problem. What I mean is I would not use overcoming an eating disorder as your main essay. Maybe you could have your GC or one of your recommenders mention it in his/or her letter. Mention it and move on to the positives.</p>
<p>And youve SO MANY positives. Are you putting together a supplementary recording to showcase your musical ability? You should do this even if music wont be your ultimate major.</p>
<p>I don't understand why you are planning to apply ED to any school if you are having a hard time making up your mind about just one of them? Isn't ED supposed to be about your true #1 choice? It sounds like you have 3 of them. Isn't that a case when RD would better suit you?</p>
<p>True... but I really need the boost ED gives, especially concerning my grade situation. I'm overnighting at all three in the coming few weeks.... and I do have an idea in my mind of where I'm leaning towards.</p>
<p>LL- read the responses on the Swat site...ED ISN'T a boost for students with low junior grades. The schools will probably need to see your upward swing senior year.</p>
<p>ANd with your other amazing stats, that shouldn't be a problem.</p>
<p>About the essay - it seems like it would be fine to write about overcoming your eating disorder. As long as you're writing it in such a way as to highlight the lessons you've learned, the strengths/skills it took to tackle it, etc. If you can relate the experience to your future (i.e. how do you imagine yourself using those traits/skills you honed to overcome future adversity), then you've got good fodder for your essay.</p>
<p>At a school like Williams (or Amherst or Swarthmore), applying ED gives applicants only a negligeable boost. Apply ED if you, no question, want to go to the school (it's worth it to not have to worry through your senior year). If you're applying simply for the application advantage, you're applying ED for the wrong reasons.</p>