<p>Hi people…how important, or if any, is being #1 or #2 for admission? I know this sounds stupid, and I am aware of how UNFAIR rank and GPA are; I am a victim, myself, and would gladly ask my school to clear the concept of GPA; I am currently 1 in my class, but there is just too much crap and unhealthy competition that others have forced down on me; I just wanted to feel more confident if I am not 1 anymore in my class; I know, again, to some of you this question is ridiculous, but just to ascertain me, please leave a comment if you care.</p>
<p>Here’s another question: Apart from being #1 or #2 (or 3,4,5,etc.) what do you care about? What do you do with your time and energy that makes you more than another excellent student? What are your values, priorities, and dreams apart from getting into a top college? Those answers are going to make a lot more difference than being #1 or #2.</p>
<p>I ditto what 'rentof2 said. Life is more than just ranking. If you are already up there in the ranking, you are fine. However, there are certainly more factors going into the admission decision than just ranking and scores. It just so happens that those who have high rankings also have good values and EC’s. It is sort of one leads to another type of things, imo.</p>
<p>Hi…thanks for replying. I think my greatest admission factor is the fact that I came to US around 4 years ago not knowing English from Iran; I worked hard in school; very very hard; I have several extraculliculars that I care deeply about, such as Rescue Squad and ESL tutoring; I have other extrac such as chess regional champ, short story went to region, etc; I ve done some other clubs as well. I have alot to write in my essays, since I come from a low income family, and I am the first of my generation to attend college; I thought applying to Questbridge, but I might not be matched to Amherst and I want Amhest really badly, so I will just do ED. How do you like my chances? please be harsh on me!!!
Thank you</p>
<p>bluepurple: Have you looked into Amherst’s DIVOH? If not, definitely do, and soon, for I think the deadline is coming up (if it hasn’t already passed).</p>
<p>Hi areagris; does DIVOH increase my chances of admittance; I am aware of its offerings, but I have my hands full as far as summer goes…so unfortunately, I was also not informed sooner to accommodate my summer with it; :(</p>
<p>bluepurple, yes DIVOH does give you an admissions boost. There are two sessions, generally the last weekend of September, and the last weekend of October. If you didn’t get an application, call admissions and they will send you one.</p>
<p>I didn’t think that DIVOH increased your chance of admittance. Rather, if you are admitted to DIVOH, it shows that you meet the basic admissions criterion and could be a match for Amherst. If you’re accepted, they’ll send you a letter telling you more about what percent are accepted exactly/what percent apply. Be warned though, it’s not unheard of for a student to be accepted into DIVOH, but rejected from the college.</p>
<p>areagris, you are incorrect in so many ways. DIVOH will give you a boost. If you are accepted to this, you are obviouly bright and sought after.</p>
<p>GA2012MOM: I respectfully disagree with you, so perhaps we can simply agree to disagree? I think you are correct in saying that “If you are accepted to this, you are obviously bright and sought after,” however isn’t this the same as saying you meet Amherst’s basic criterion in an applicant? No one except the admissions office knows if it gives you a “boost” (in the way that being a “legacy” can be a boost at some schools, etc.). Personally, I think that an acceptance to DIVOH shows that Amherst is interested in you as an applicant. I think the one solid “advantage” given to DIVOH students is a chance to meet the entire Admissions Office, as, come November/December or early Spring, they might be able to match a face and interaction to an essay and remember you favorably.</p>
<p>Also, to clarify the last sentence in my previous post: While by and large most DIVOH applicants to the college are accepted (because most are exactly the sorts of people Amherst wants, not simply because they went to the weekend), going to DIVOH is not an automatic “shoo-in.”</p>
<p>If you are admitted to DIVOH, ad then you apply, you have a 75% admissions rate.</p>
<p>That is a fact.</p>
<p>My D was a DIVOH participant, and a Questbridge match to Amherst. I think I have a good feel for the tpe of kids they are looking for. Great, well rounded kids, smart yet have something else to bring to the table. Maybe that is you?</p>
<p>kwu, yes that is what we were told from admissions, and the DIVOH literature says.</p>
<p>When you apply for DIVOH, it is a mini application, so when they accept you for the weekend, they already think you are competetive for the school.</p>
<p>aresgris, GA MOm is correct. Acceptance ito the DIVOH is a major boost to one application My daughter went a couple of years ago and was told that students who are accepted have a 75% chance of admissions. The College isn’t going to invest money in flying students from across the country and elsewhere if there isn’t a serious interest in them. My daughter loved Amherst after her visit. She applied and was accepted ED.</p>
<p>It isn’t easy to be accepted to the DIVOH, it’s a competition and Amherst will only bring in students that they are seriously interested in having as students. My daughter’s SAT scores were not off the charts, but they were respectable. It doesn’t seemed to have mattered because she’s doing extremely well at Amherst (same way Sonia Sotomayor did at Princeton despite her lower SAT scores - in fact she graduated with high honors). I think these admissions people are skilled at looking at all kinds of factors when deciding of who gets in. Attending the DIVOH provides them with an opportunity for them to see and speak with you in person and it provides you an opportunity to see the college when classes are in session. It’s really great. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Last year it was the last weekend in both September and October, and there were about 90 students per session. You stay for a Sat. and Sun. night, attend classes on Monday, then fly home that day.</p>
<p>Agreed! i also did DIVOH back in October and got in RD in March (and now im totally looking forward to my 4 years there)…it is a bit of a boost being as you do meet the admissions office and they do recall the names of the students who did DIVOH when they’re reading the college applications…in fact, the coordinator of the DIVOH program is assistant dean of admissions…</p>