Can a farm girl get in to these schools???

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Yes, I live on a farm and spend my free time riding horses and feeding pigs!</p>

<p>I really want to go to Swarthmore but I'm from western Nebraska where we don't have as many grueling classes and challenging academic opportunities. I would really appreciate any feedback! Thanks!</p>

<p>ACT: 31
GPA: 4.0
Class rank: 1 of 299</p>

<p>I'm also applying to Penn, Notre Dame, Northwestern, USC, Tufts, Williams, and Amherst...how do my credentials meet the admissions standards at these schools?</p>

<p>Classes: Orchestra, Physiology, A.P. Calculus, A.P. Am. Gov. Spanish 5-6, Physics, A.P. Lit & Comp.</p>

<p>Extra-curriculars: orchestra, mock trial, 4-H, National Honor society, choir, swing choir, newspaper, chess club, student ambassador</p>

<p>I also volunteer about 5 hours a week at my church's food pantry, the local hospital, and habitat for humanity</p>

<p>Also, I am from an ag background...I really have no idea what I'm doing! will this make me stand out in the admissions process? </p>

<p>I'm white and female.</p>

<p>I guess I just am trying to break out of the community college system that so many of my peers are aiming for because I want more from my education. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>bummmp…</p>

3

<p>I think you have a good chance with Swarthmore. You have stellar grades, and you ACT might be a little subpar for Swartmore but I doubt that will hurt you. They want to see social and geographic diversity, and you can certainly bring that to the table. You seem passionate about your education, your have plenty of ECs/volunteer work. Are you writing your essay in a sort of ‘life on a farm’ style? I think that would catch their attention.</p>

<p>It’s a tough school to get into, but I think you have a decent shot. The only other schools on your list that might be difficult too are Amherst and Williams</p>

4

<p>I think that all of the schools that you mentioned want geographic and socioeconomic diversity. You have a good chance. You expressed yourself well in the post- make sure that each school gets your message through your application, essays, recommendations. Someone from a very rural background stands out in the applicant pool.</p>

5

<p>^Very few of us can ride horses and most of us don’t want to get close to pigs. :p</p>

6

<p>Did you take any of those AP classes junior year? If so, what was your score on the AP test? The adcom at schools the quality of Swat, Amherst and Williams will primary be concerned with whether you have proven yourself (intelligence, drive, time management) with college level material. Absent any data other than a 31 ACT, that’s a big question mark. Even if the adcom likes you, it doesn’t do anyone a favor when a freshman is exposed to a rigor of work and pressures way above what they’re used to and stresses out of school. Answer that doubt and you will help your chances muchly.</p>

<p>The other schools on your list, the not quite tippy top ones, look like matches for you.</p>

7

<p>I really appreciate all the input!</p>

<p>I’ve taken ap us history and got a 3…which was without studying at all for the exam because my teacher was terrible!</p>

<p>I may be behind a little in the math and science classes, so I’m planning on taking math and science classes at my community’s college over the summer. Also, I really think that my drive and determination to do well at any of these schools will help me. </p>

<p>I haven’t the intense pressure of a prep school, but I take in the hardest classes available to me and I always ask questions.</p>

<p>Anyone else??</p>

8

<p>you got a 3 too on AP history? and you had a horrible teacher? Me too!!</p>

<p>i feel like i know you personally!</p>

<p>thats a good thing that you have the drive and determination of doing well. Taking classes at a community college will help too.</p>

9

<p>bummmmmmp…</p>

10

<p>by the way when I said Penn, I meant the University of Pennsylvania</p>

11

<p>Even though you have strong credentials and an interesting background, all of these schools are reaches. Three strengths are your class rank,GPA and geographic location. My opinion is that you have a better than average chance at Amherst, Williams and Swarthmore if your application is convincing and your teacher recs outstanding.
USC & Tufts & Notre Dame should also be better than average odds for you.
Northwestern & Penn are different in that how you apply may make a significant difference in your chances–even though they are larger schools. The primary reason is that Penn & Northwestern are also more specialized and require application to a particular school or college within each university. For example, I do not think that you would be admitted to Penn’s Wharton School of Business, but I do think that you are a strong candidate for the arts & sciences, as well as for Penn’s School of Nursing. No chance at Northwestern’s journalism, engineering or acting/theatre schools. However, if you apply binding ED and write a convincing app., then your chances change considerably for engineering–though still a reach–and rise dramatically for the college of arts & sciences or for the communications school.</p>

12

<p>you probably will not get into Penn, but you never know…</p>

<p>OT: i’ve never really met a farm girl or boy…i wonder if your (their) social and academic priorities are different than city/'burb dwellers</p>

13

<p>I’m planning on applying pre-med with a major in biochemistry…so does that help ColdWind??</p>

<p>siglio…I know that for a lot of people in my community, school isn’t as important as sports or farming, but I take the hardest classes available and I really care about my education</p>

14

<p>actually im majoring in biology…sorry!</p>

15

<p>Your geographics and background are certainly pluses for NE LACs, but that 3 in history is not going to help. NOr is the fact that you have not yet gotten any SAT2 scores. It is difficult for these colleges to place where you are among other applicants with so little info. #1 from a school not that well known to them does not tell them much when the courses are not AP with a track record. Your ACT score is also on the low side. Bio is a tough subject in these schools with a lot of competition from kids with AP courses in the sciences, top grades in them, and top SAT2 scores. That is your competition. Does not help a school to accept someone who is not prepared for that level of difficulty when it it is the norm.</p>

<p>By all means, give it a whirl, but I also recommend that you include some schools where your numbers fit in a bit better. You do need some safeties and matches, as the schools you have listed are all reaches, which is fine, but you do need the variety. Also, are you going to need financial aid? Let us know how it goes.</p>

16

<p>I know my scores are not the highest and that I’m at a disadvantage when it comes to opportunities in my region…still, I won’t give up, I’ll do whatever it takes to fill in the gap between myself and my peers should I get into a good school. My determination and drive is something that is more important than a test score</p>

17

<p>bumpppppp…</p>

18

<p>If you want to go to Northwestern and you don’t get in, try applying to DePaul or Loyola Chicago. Both good school in the same area. You might even get a good amount of scholarship money! Best of luck!</p>