<p>Amherst is probably my first choice school. I’ve already asked for a letter of recommendation from my English teacher/class advisor, an Amherst alum!</p>
<p>I plan on raising my ACT score: I took the test the first time not knowing ANYTHING about its format (I earned a composite score of 30), but now I have a book that I’m using to study. I took the SATs twice, but I found that my scores were average (600 to 690 for each component) and I was better-suited towards the ACT. I would really prefer to NOT take the SATs again.</p>
<p>Do you think that my NOT playing a varsity/junior varsity sport in high school will effect my admissions chances? I have been an active dancer for almost 15 years.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of those that respond, and best wishes to all of you!</p>
<p>No, not every person accepted plays a V/JV sport. since you are a dancer, it's not like you haven't been doing something just as productive and something that you are passionate about (15 years!). I don't know how to chance a person, though, so I can't help you further. It's a good idea to do the ACT if you can do better on it than the SAT. </p>
<p>D was not an athlete and she is a rising senior. That said, bring up those test grades and then write the best essay you have ever written. That's most important. Good luck!</p>
<p>My daughter was wait-listed this year at both Williams and Amherst with a 34 composite on the ACT, 2260 on the SAT, valedictorian of her class, awards in both music (violin) and visual art, great recommendations, several major leadership positions at school. I guess what I'm trying to say to anyone applying this year is to fall in love with your safety.... just in case.</p>
<p>Moderator's Note to Agent of Sense: Just click on PinkSummer09's screenname, then click "View Public Profile." Look in small print under the word "Biography"
and you'll see the relocated link.</p>
<p>That is the correct place to post such a link. Thanks for the cooperation, PinkSummer09, for relocating it according to CC Terms of Service.</p>
<p>Now whenever you post in any forum, you can refer interested readers to it. </p>
<p>Thank you all for your help...I guess that sometimes, applying to such a selective school is kind of "the luck of the draw." I don't feel like I could ever possibly make my application strong enough...</p>
<p>Since you mention dance and are female, have you also looked at Smith and Mount Holyoke? Their dance departments are quite good. When I used to attend theater performances at Amherst's Kirby Hall, I'd notice some powerful modern dancer in the cast, who'd turn out to be from Mt. Holyoke. I've also heard Amherst students, including the Theater/Dance majors, praise Smith for its dance offering, especially re: ballet.</p>
<p>Of course, this depends if you want to consider either of these excellent all-female LAC within the Five College Consortium. I've never read of any competition, either (as in, if I apply to Smith that might reduce my chances at Amherst..). Have never read that.</p>
<p>Hampshire College is another way to be part of the Five College Consortium. In fact, the presidents of the other 4 institutions created Hampshire in the l960's as a way to encourage students to take fullest advantage of the Five College system. </p>
<p>For Amherst, in addition to academics, a huge focus is on the personal essays. They want to meet you in your essay, because they do not conduct personal interviews. Let your writer's voice show, and really be yourself in those personal essays. Write from the heart, is my advice. Be absolutely yourself.</p>
<p>Also allow plenty of extra time to work on Amherst's Supplemental Essays for the Common Application. Those are brain-breakers every time. New topics come out each year.</p>