I am applying Early Decision I to Hamilton College. It has been my top choice since my sophomore year; I signed up for their mailing list in early 2015 and did a campus tour summer of '16. Lately I have been nervous about my chances. I’ve never made a post like this before, so tell me if I’ve done this wrong.
Also applying to: Cornell College (second choice/safety), Cornell University, Southwestern University, University of Houston (safety).
About:
- IB student
- White
- Female
- From Texas
- Competitive high school (top 10 in TX, top 100 in the US)
- Major: Classics, potential double major with History.
- Lesbian (should I mention this…?)
- Will hopefully do an interview for Hamilton; already did an interview for Cornell College.
- Needs financial aid
- Disabled (diagnosed diplopia & ADHD - but should I mention this? I’ve never gotten testing accommodations or anything.)
Grades:
- GPA: Unweighted 3.48, Weighted 4.54
- Class Rank: 231 / 639
Test Scores:
- ACT: 32
E:35 | M: 27 | R:32 | S: 32 | W: 29 - SAT: 1410
Reading: 740 | Math: 670
AP Tests:
- APUSH: 5
- AP Euro: 4
- AP Eng. Lit: 5
- AP Statistics: N/A
IB Tests:
- Bio SL
- European History HL
- English HL
- Visual Arts HL
- Latin SL
- Math Studies SL
Senior Year classes:
- IB European History II
- IB English IV
- IB Latin IV
- IB Visual Arts II
- IB Theory of Knowledge (1st semester)
- IB Math Studies (2nd semester)
- AP Statistics
- Forensic Science
- Art IV: Sculpture III (which is a placeholder for Art V: Ceramics IV lol)
Main Extracurriculars:
- Academy Ambassadors (working with students, parents, and business professionals to educate and unite the community.)
Role: Governing Team Ambassador (equivalent to co-President).
Duration: 10th, 11th, 12th. - [My District] Council of the Arts (staff, business partners, and student representatives deciding district funding, programming, events, etc.)
Role: Student Representative for my school (appointed), Fundraising board founding member.
Duration: 10th, 11th, 12th. - International Baccalaureate Student Organization
Role: IBSO Citizenship Committee leader, member; blog journalist. (Educate students about current events.)
Duration: 11th, 12th. - Ceramics Club
Role: Treasurer
Duration: 11th, 12th. - Other clubs: National Honors Society, National Art Honors Society, Breakdancing Club, Fencing Club.
- Jobs: Full-time Nanny (summers of 2015 and 2016), gardener (3 years), babysitter (5 years).
Misc:
- Awards/Certifications: [My District] Student Volunteer of the Year, 2015 & 2016, Soft Skills Certified 2014-16, National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar, Adobe Photoshop CS6 Certified.
- Recommendations: Teachers: English (11th & 12th), Latin (all grades); Other: School Admin (Academy Ambassador director; 10th, 11th, & 12th), Art Teacher (all grades).
- Essay: It’s about this camp that I’ve gone to for 7 years. Everyone who’s read it likes it, so I’m not worried.
- Volunteer Work: 100+ hours through Academy Ambassador program/Council of the Arts, led district-wide & school-wide Soft Skills workshops, political activism through the Support Texas Adoptee Rights organization, History tutor, CAS (for IB).
Most of the “Chance me” stuff I’ve seen are people with 3.8+ GPAs and like a 35 on the ACT. I am really dedicated to & passionate about my extracurriculars & am on track to get my IB diploma so hopefully that makes up for my average GPA/rank.
Thank you for your time!!