<p>I recently came across Bryn Mawr and I was very impressed. I hope that it can be considered a match for me.</p>
<p>I will be a junior in the fall. My predicted unweighted GPA is 3.94. My weighted is 4.4. I plan on taking the most challenging classes that I possibly can. My school only offers 2 AP classes that I know will still be there when I take them. Those classes are AP US History and AP Psychology.
I’m not sure about AP Bio and AP English. There weren’t enough people to take the latter this year. I’m not sure about my class rank yet. My main extracurricular activities are: contest debate, concert/marching band and 4-H. I’m also involved in about 3 or 4 other clubs. </p>
<p>I will take the ACT this Saturday. My school is kind of bad. No one has ever gotten higher than a 32. There has only been one person to do so. Everyone from my school either goes to community college or Mizzou. I’m from rural Missouri, by the way. My chances really don’t look good. I guess I can only hope the best.</p>
<p>I think your chances are very good. The Bryn Mawr acceptance rate is 50%. This is not a reflection on the quality of the college–it is an excellent school–but in part reflects a high degree of ‘self-selection’, by which I mean that the pool of applicants consists of bright young women who are interested in an all-women’s college.</p>
<p>Your grades are excellent. I think you should prepare for the ACT but a 31 or 32 should be fine. Consider self-study for additional APs if you feel you need more, possibly World Geography and Comparative government. Start early on your essays and have them reviewed by your counsellor and English teacher. In the essays be yourself but try to be a little different. For example, don’t write about the person you admire the most (unless directed to do so). Write about something you’ve experienced living in a rural area or participating in 4H or one of your other activities.</p>
<p>Visit Bryn Mawr and take a tour. It’s a stunningly beautiful campus. Demonstrate interest in the college and in specific programs. Learn about the college and its partners in the ‘Quaker Consortium’. Make sure it’s a good fit. For example, you should be aware that it is a very liberal college and not especially tolerant of those with more conservative views. However, don’t succumb to stereotypes. See if your counsellor or the local library has copies of the Princeton Review and The Insider’s Guide to Colleges.</p>
<p>If you are accepted be sure to attend the admitted students preview session and spend the night with Bryn Mawr students and other prospective students. In fairness I have to say that my daughter did this and discovered that Bryn Mawr was not a good fit, so she turned down a very nice scholarship. Fortunately, she attended another college’s session and found that she fit in there well. Ultimately, you want to have a choice so that you can go with your gut feeling.</p>
<p>Having a choice means considering other colleges, so you should look at schools that have characteristics similar to those that have attracted you to Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you for the reassurance. Well, if I do end up attending, they’re just going to have to get used to me. I’m very conservative, but I tolerate different views. I hope to major in international relations and political science.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice! A good fit is one of the most important things. Which college did your daughter end up attending? I’m also considering Barnard. I like its affiliation with Columbia. :)</p>
<p>She chose Middlebury. She is interested in writing and foreign languages, subjects Middlebury is well known for.</p>
<p>Good luck on your ACT.</p>
<p>Thanks. I looked at Middlebury, but I’m not sure I would like going to school in Vermont. I know the atmosphere isn’t that important, but it helps to be in a place where you’re comfortable. Would you happen to know how great Middlebury’s international relations program is?</p>
<p>The ACT went okay. I had trouble with the time limits.</p>