I visited Middlebury College recently and took a tour. Instantly, I fell in love. However, the school is definitely a reach for me. Currently I am a junior.Here is what to know about me:
Courses: I have taken AP English, AP History, Honors History, and am planning to take AP English, AP Prob and Stats, AP Environmental Science, and possibly AP Psychology my senior year. Along with those classes, I will be taking my fourth year of Spanish and Intro to Acoustic Guitar, Graphics 2 (after completing Graphics 1), and Photography.
GPA: After my junior year should be around a 4.1.
Sports: I will have played four years of Varsity Tennis, two seasons in which I will be captain. I was the Cross Country Rookie of the Year and I will have done four years of Varsity Cross Country, one year of which I will be captain. I will have played four years of Recreational Basketball with three years of being a captain. Finally, I’ll have played three years of Recreational Soccer with three years of being a captain.
Clubs: I was the Vice President of my class for two years, but eventually was outvoted. I recently was accepted into NHS, which I plan to be president of next year. I’m a member of Teens Helping Teens, a club that raises money and awareness about teen suicide and distracted driving.
Test Scores: I have not taken my SATs yet, but I plan to study hard and get around a 1350-1400 if not higher.
Volunteering: I have been an instructor at a clinic that helped teach younger kids how to play tennis. I have volunteered at the YMCA for over 6 years. I have helped out at multiple road races over the years. I’ve organized and chaired events for fundraising for my class as well as participating in the Relay for Life for three years.
Work Exp: I will have had three years of working maintenance at my highschool as a summer job along with three years of supervising at the YMCA.
Other: I have attended multiple leadership conferences because of my involvement in student council. I have done my research and I am aiming to have my hook be my leadership abilities. Also, I will have strong recommendations from amazing English and Spanish teachers that I have grown close to, one of which went to grad school at Middlebury. I plan to pursue Environmental Studies at Middlebury if I get in. I care deeply about the environment and I am also a vegetarian. Any advice on what could help me get in?
I am also planning on applying early decision as I have heard it would boost my chances
You appear to be fully qualified. Middlebury’s 53% ED acceptance may indeed work in your favor. ES would definitely be one of the school’s stronger programs. Good luck.
Thank you!
In addition to your AP classes, your application (and preparation) will be strongest if you have taken physics, chemistry, biology and math through at least pre-calc.
In terms of your scores, this will give you an indication of Middlebury’s projected middle range:
For other Northeastern colleges strong in ES, look into Colby, Hamilton (Adirondack semester) Bates, St. Lawrence and HWS.
Don’t let that 53% ED acceptance rate mislead you. A large percentage of those students are athletes who get a push from the team. Not to say that ED wouldn’t help, but it’s not nearly the bump that some have characterized it as being.
I have already taken biology and I’m currently taking chemistry. I wasn’t planning on taking pre calculus or physics as I am not as strong in those types of classes, but would that be a deciding factor as to whether I get in? I’m currently in trigonometry. Also, during my senior year I will be taking at least three AP classes. Would I have a greater chance acceptance if I waited to bring my GPA higher and apply regular?
Not taking calc can definitely hurt your prospects at a top school like Middlebury. And once in college, calc is usually a requirement for science majors. You should consider taking it. It would buy most valuable than AP psych.
UVM also has a strong es major
All of the colleges you’ve mentioned sound great too. Should I switch my AP Prob and Stats to Precalc? Calculus won’t be possible for my senior year. Environmental Studies (not science) doesn’t seem to be as math based as the environmental science major
Since precalc basically only appears as a HS school course and would therefore be difficult to find at a college, I’d recommend you take this class while you have the opportunity next year. Statistics can readily be taken cold in college, so you wouldn’t ultimately miss that important topic.
I think I’ll take Precalc because it seems as though it is the most logical path for me. Hopefully Middlebury isn’t as worried about the math and science classes because the rigor in my English and History classes is certainly greater