Bad grades, small liberal arts colleges, and trips to Africa!

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey there everyone! So I just wanted some honest opinions on my college list and hear if anyone thought I should or shouldn't apply to certain places. I'm really worried about my grades and one of my SAT II's. Thanks a ton!</p>

<p>Asian-Native American-White Male (Quarter Vietnamese, quarter Abenaki tibe) in So-Cal
Large public hs (very competitive)
Mom didn't go to college, dad went to Naval Academy and Harvard Business School</p>

<p>Grades: 3.45 UW 3.7 W
Pretty bad, I know. However I have taken a very challenging work load. It is more important for me to learn a lot in an AP course and get a B than to learn little in a regular course and get an A
SAT: 1970 (620 CR, 640 M, 710 W)
SAT II: 680 Literature, 570 Biology E (bummer)</p>

<p>Two reccs from teachers that really like me and I did very well in their classes.</p>

<p>My essay is on my trips to Africa. Is this too common?</p>

<p>EC's
My main extra currics have involved community service or music. I have twice traveled to Africa (Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda) to work with approx 9 different orphanages. I helped to raise a building at one of the orphanages. I have mainly worked with HIV-infected children, and have volunteered in hospitals around the areas I was located at.</p>

<p>I also have been a camp counselor at Forest Home family camp since I was in 8th grade. I go for 1 week at a time about 4 times per year.</p>

<p>I was a teachers assistant at a deaf elementary school (I am fluent in sign language). I worked with the children, taught new signs, and played games.</p>

<p>I am president of the Invisible Children club, the largest club on campus (75 people). I am also President of the Animal Rights club.</p>

<p>My music EC's are wide spanning. Basically I am principal double bassist in the honors orchestra, and have played a recital at Northwestern. I have participated in every musical opportunity available at my school (marching band, drum corp, jazz band, etc). </p>

<p>Senior class schedule:
AP Art History
AP Environmental Science
Orchestra
College Political Science 101
AP English Lit
Discrete Math</p>

<p>So here is my college list. I would love to know what my chances are. Thanks!</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon (Double Degree in College of Humanities and College of Arts)
Colby College
Grinnell College
Hendrix College
Lewis and Clark College
Macalester College
Oberlin College
Rice University
University of Rochester
Vanderbilt University
Wesleyan University</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

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<p>i should say you are in
at least for those small LAC
btw why you like LAC so much? and some of them in your list are really small</p>

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<p>Your ecs are excellent and hopefully will help you out with some of the more reach type schools. I think you are in at Hendrix and Lewis and Clark and I would not be surprised at all if you got into a number of the others. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks to both of you! Iorifan, I love the idea of community and getting to know my professors. I would never be able to learn in a class of 300 people haha. Hence, I gravitate towards smaller schools.</p>

<p>Poi, thanks for the encouragement! I hope to have a nice selection to pick from in april :)</p>

<p>What do you think of my chances at Vanderbilt and Rice? Both have amazing music programs that I would love to study at.</p>

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<p>Fenixfyre, I checked the music admittance rate for Vanderbilt last year and it says they accepted 42% of their applicants and that the SAT scores ranged from 1260-1460. I was unable to find anything on Rice. Don't really know if that helps you out. Also, another school that is excellent for music that you may be interested in is St. Olaf in Minnesota.</p>

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<p>Hey Poi, I have definitely looked into St. Olaf a lot. Sadly, from what I have read, MANY of the classes are taught in a religious context, something I would rather not have. </p>

<p>Thanks for looking up those numbers! I should add that I want to be a music-philosophy or pyschology double major. I will not be only applying to the school of music.</p>

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<p>Fenixfyre, I can understand. If I can think of any other schools I will definetly post. Good luck again!</p>

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<p>Carnegie Mellon- reach
Colby College- in (this is one of my favorite schools as well)
Grinnell College- in
Hendrix College- safety
Lewis and Clark College- safety
Macalester College-in
Oberlin College-in
Rice University- in
University of Rochester-in (also applying)
Vanderbilt University- in
Wesleyan University- slight reach</p>

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<p>Great chances at LACs, particularly because URM (make a BIG deal out of native american, and that'll help!), but also very strong personal qualities.</p>

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<p>Hey Tscogrady, thanks a ton! Good luck at Colby and Rochester! Colby is phenomenal.</p>

<p>NewEngSocSciMan, I appreciate your input. If I get into Colby or Vandy (or Wesleyan) I'll be elated. On the common app, I was able to put registered date and all that info on the minority section. Do you have any other ideas on how I could make a big deal out of it? Colby has an additional section essay that I'll fill out. And thanks for the strong personal qualities comment :)</p>

<p>Okay, so I just found out I was voted "Most Likely to Change the World" for my school's yearbook. Should I include this in the additional info section?</p>

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<p>Bump, I was hoping to get a few more opinions. Thanks!</p>

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<p>"I have definitely looked into St. Olaf a lot. Sadly, from what I have read, MANY of the classes are taught in a religious context, something I would rather not have."</p>

<p>I'm a student at St. Olaf, and I have to disagree with you there. Yes, we are a religiously affiliated school, and students are required to take two classes focusing on Christianity, but they really are taught from a scholastic rather than dogmatic point of view. The whole culture of religion here is a "take what you want a leave the rest" sort of thing. Even the atheists I've talked to have been able to find some benefit in the religion courses. And of course, the music program is excellent. From what you've said, you'd probably have a shot at a sizeable music scholarship (being a music major is not required.) I know the orchestra is always looking for instruments like basses.</p>

<p>Just some food for thought.</p>

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<p>I live down the street from Colby. hehe</p>

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<p>Hey, my essay is also about going to Kenya! Cool
Wait, are these kinds of essays too common?</p>

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<p>Hey OldWannabe, thank you so much! I really appreciate hearing something from someone who is a student. I will definitely look into St. Olaf some more.</p>

<p>Akahmed, it depends on who you talk to. I have heard "never use that" to "you should take full advantage". It depends on how you write it, I think.</p>

<p>PS: Deferred from Dartmouth ED. At least I didn't get denied, right?</p>

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<p>So I submitted my Vandy, Wesleyan, and Grinnell apps tonight. I've decided not to apply to Rice, because I don't think I could get in. I was looking at there stats profile, and was just blown away. What do you guys think?</p>

<p>I also decided not to apply to Hendrix, cause I couldn't live in Arkansas.</p>

<p>Does anyone think I would have a chance at Williams? My counselor has been encouraging me to apply, and it is a great school.</p>

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<p>Fenixfyre, go for both of them. Best of luck on all your apps!</p>

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<p>Hahaha thanks Poi, you have been such an encouragement.</p>

<p>Submitted my Williams app a few minutes ago. Just need to send in my music supplement and I'm done with that one :)</p>

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<p>I know of someone who went to Grinnell and really liked it. Keep us posted.</p>