<p>Hello all:
I am applying to colleges and my top choices are Bowdoin, Pomona, Yale, and Harvard. I like them all equally, but have different reasons for liking each. I know many people would say not to apply early unless you have one top choice, but I know I would be very happy at any of them. At which one would applying early give me the greatest advantage? I am aware Harvard and Yale have SCEA while Bowdoin & Pomona have binding Early Decision.
I intend to double-major in Political Science/Government and History. My academic information is as follows:
I go to a large public school.
Cumulative GPA: 3.95
I have taken 2 AP classes (European History & AP English Language & Composition) as the school I attended in 9th & 10th grade did not offer honors or AP classes, but I will take 5 more this year (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, AP English Literature & Composition).
I have also taken 3 college courses (British History (taken at UW-Madison), Calculus and Analytic Geometry (taken at a local community college), National Intelligence and Security (taken at American University)) and I will take two more this year at UW-Madison under a dual-enrollment program.
US History SAT II: 800; Literature SAT II: 740
AP US History (4) (Self-studied, taken in 9th grade), AP European History (5), AP English Language & Composition (5)
ACT 32 (English, 35; Math, 30; Reading 36; Science 27) (I plan on retaking it in September)
I will take the SAT in October.
I have good, but not outstanding extracurriculars except for my independent research of history and volunteering with a political campaign and I have about 500 volunteer hours. </p>
<p>bowdoin. it’ll double your chances to 40%. You’re not likely to get into the ivies or Pomona without a special EC or a hook.</p>
<p>I love that Lit SATII, tho, good work, and the 800 History SATII suggests it was no fluke.</p>
<p>A couple unsolicited suggestions. Drop one of the Calcs (avoid 3 maths). Look at Claremont McKenna again. Your resumé is suggesting wonk.</p>
<p>A question: how are you going to pay for this? If you’re going to go ED, you have to in all conscience know how you’re going to pay the likely Expected Family Contribution. Run those net price calculators.</p>
<p>So you’re saying I have no virtually no chance of getting into the Ivies or Pomona?
At my school, calculus is offered in a two-semester sequence, as we are on a block schedule: First semester is Calc AB, Second is Calc BC,
My more extensive resume is at the following link: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1662399-chances-at-yale-brown-uchicago-upenn-bowdoin-grinnell-macalester.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1662399-chances-at-yale-brown-uchicago-upenn-bowdoin-grinnell-macalester.html#latest</a></p>
<p>Obviously you have a chance. Slight, but it is still there. If I’m not mistaken, 32 on the ACT is at or above the 25th percentile for all the Ivies.</p>
<p>@jkeil911: I do like Claremont McKenna, but isn’t its acceptance rate the same as Pomona’s? </p>
<p>^^^the acceptance rates are almost indistinguishable. I’m saying that Claremont might more closely align with your strengths in politics, history, and English and that you might find at Claremont more like-minded students. If you’re not restricted in number of apps, maybe CM could be one. I think the strengths of the consortium outweigh the benefits of almost any one LAC or small uni, and so it might be worth it to apply to two schools. Your strength in English will appeal to Pomona, and if you write a fantastic essay…</p>
<p>As for your chances, they are the same as everyone else’s: slim and next to none. I can only go on what I have in front of me, and I could be wrong about whether or not you’d get into an ivy with a 32. I watched carefully a couple of almost-ivies this year, and one of them seemed to cut off at 33, as in next to nobody got in RD without a 33. I’m suggesting that applying to the ivies has become so competitive that unless your ECs include something no other 18yo has done then the toughest ivies are out of reach. If you come back with a 1540 in October, you’re still going to need those ECs and a great essay and recs. </p>
<p>Thanks. That was helpful.</p>
<p>Any other opinions?</p>
<p>There was a pretty detailed study a few years ago of the best political science programs in the world. As I recall, Bowdoin, Lafayette, and Reed were the only LACs to fall in the top 150 or so. Government at Bowdoin is a very strong program. </p>
<p>Bowdoin ED would give you the greatest edge – if you can afford it. Personally, I think it would be a win/win if you can truly see yourself there. It’s a fantastic school with a great quality of life. (I greatly prefer coastal Maine to New Haven and Claremont. Cambridge and Boston are admittedly pretty awesome.)</p>
<p>Binding ED will certainly give you a greater edge than any EA program, and I agree that Bowdoin is more likely for you than Pomona. If you truly love them all equally, I’d go for Bowdoin.</p>
<p>Besides, Bowdoin educated Nathaniel Hawthorne and Longfellow, two guys who could twirl a pen. Well, Hawthorne graduated from there, but seemed to have majored in fermentation and cards.</p>
<p>Bowdoin has, um, changed a bit since then, though…</p>
<p>No one plays cards?! Have they no proper appreciation of risk and reward? Are they socialists all? [-O< </p>