Amherst?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
1

<p>Hi everyone. I am a 17 year old Hispanic male. I attend one of the most prestigious schools (Berkeley Prep) in Tampa. I have taken 7 honors classes so far and this year I am taking 2 honors and an AP. Please keep in mind that at my high school honors classes are a huge commitment (many are college level courses) and grades are not inflated like they are at many public high schools. Below I have listed only my academic courses. I have taken many electives that are relatively unimportant such as 3 years of Religion, Beginning Guitar etc.</p>

<p>High School Credits Earned in Middle School:</p>

<p>Spanish I A
Honors Spanish II A
Prealgebra A</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
English 9 A
Geometry B+
Honors Bio A-
World History A-</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
English 10 B+
Algebra II A-
Honors Physics B
Honors Government/Economics A-
Honors Spanish IV A-</p>

<p>Junior Year (What I am taking right now):
Honors Chemistry B
English 11 A
Precalculus B+
Honors Spanish V A
AP US History B+</p>

<p>Courses I am planning to take Senior Year
AP English Language
AP Spanish Language
AP Government
Honors Statistics
Marine Biology/Oceanography</p>

<p>I have been a member of the following sports teams. I plan to continue all of my sports throughout senior year:</p>

<p>JV Cross Country 9-10 (captain)
Varsity Cross Country 11-12 (will be a captain)
Varsity Wrestling 8-12 (will be a captain)
Founding member of First Lacrosse Team (Plant Panthers) in Tampa (7th)
Varsity Lacrosse on the Panthers 8-10
Varsity Lacrosse (founded the team) 11-12 (will be a captain)</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities:
Tour Guide (11)
Assistant Head Tour Guide (12)
Lacrosse Club 9-12 (founder)
Photographer/Sports Writer for the Newspaper 9-12
Classic Film Club 10-12 (president)
SADD 9-12 (currently Vice President of Finance and will be running for president next year)
Writing Center Tutor (12)
Diversity Awareness Club (11-12)
Spanish Club 9-12 (will be running for president as a senior)
Red Cross Certified in CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguarding
I have been lifeguarding at my local pool for 2 years.</p>

<p>I also am very passionate about fishing, kayaking, SCUBA Diving (NAUI certified), and spearfishing.</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I 1850 *** See Below
CR-670
M- 600
W- 580 (9E)</p>

<p>ACT: 30 (I am planning on retaking this throughout the year).</p>

<p>SAT II’s</p>

<p>US History- 630
Undecided on the rest.</p>

<p>***The big problem I have here is that I know my SATI’s are low while my ACT is higher. I want to use my ACT score but I know that colleges will see my low SAT score by way of the SATII’s. Does this make a difference? I am not planning on taking the SAT anymore but want to continue taking the ACT. My impression is that doing poorly on the SAT one time and focusing on the ACT is better than still not doing as well on the SAT after two rounds of testing as I did on the ACT.</p>

2

<p>Looking at your grades alone, you seem to have trouble in the math and science fields (relatively) and your SAT (I and II) suggest that you may not be exceptionally strong in the social sciences as well.</p>

<p>Looking at your statistics, your primary strengths seem to be language arts and athletics. If I were an admissions officer (which I'm not, so don't take anything I say too seriously) I would be looking especially at your essay and what it says about you. Because you don't seem to be as well-rounded as you ideally might be, your best bet might be to focus on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.</p>

<p>Your extracurriculars are good but nothing exceptional; most people applying to top schools have all sorts of activities and accomplishments. You'll have to separate yourself from the pack one way or another.</p>

<p>Most people usually say that college admissions are hit-or-miss, which is true; in that case, don't try to "play it safe" with a vanilla application. You're more likely to be overshadowed or overlooked that way.</p>

3

<p>Just have your ACT scores sent to the schools where you will apply. Make sure you GC knows about this and does not include your SAT scores. Your problem will come into play at schools that require the SAT II's and all your SAT scores will be sent there. Rest assured that most schools will count the higher of the two on your application. Look for non-SAT II schools if you are worried about it. Other than that, second the above post. You need to make yourself stand out from the pack. Being hispanic will help, especially if you can get hispanic scholar. Elite college admissions are unpredictable. No one is guaranteed a spot. Make sure you really work on those essays - Amherst has no interviews, so they are critical.</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I was invited to visit under some sort of Diversity Program.</p>

5

<p>Ah, you're Hispanic... you then stand a considerably better chance of getting in than I was thinking when I wrote the previous post.</p>

<p>I'm not joking. It makes a huge difference.</p>