Ch-ch-ch-chances, please!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm really scared to post these, because my stats are obviously lower than all the people here with the "oh my goodness I only got a 2300, I guess I'll go to Community College!"...but I'm going to do it anyway, at risk of my self esteem. Please be honest!
My top choice is definitely Wesleyan, but I am also interested in Vassar, Brown, U of Mich, Tufts, Wellesley, Oberlin, etc. Probably in that order. (Does anyone know schools similar to Wes, Vassar, Brown, those are my favorites and the others are not as exciting to me)
Chances?</p>

<p>Here are my stats and fun facts:
I go to a public school in Michigan.
I've taken the SATs twice:
First time: CR 770 M 570 W 710 (essay 10)
2nd: CR 690 M 650 W 720 (10) (so I really hope they do the highest section thingy) so it's 2050/2060 highest subscores 2140
ACT: 30 composite, 34 english, 30 reading, 28 science, 27 math
will take SAT II's in fall!
GPA: 3.97 weighted, I have no idea what it is unweighted, but I only have one weighted class
I've taken all honors offered (just math and english), one AP (physics), and next year I will take 3 more along with a dual enrollment for french 4 and a college class that's taught at my school (madonna university, anatomy and physiology) and this really cool writing class that only a few people were selected for </p>

<p>Extra-curriculars:
Theatre productions: all four years, 7 in total, leading and supporting roles, student director, and stage crew, also community theatre and am going to the "shakespeare school" in Stratford (ontario) this summer for shakespearean acting
Drama Club Treasurer/Secretary
NHS
Literary Magazine
Another book review/reader's bulletin thing my friend and I founded (I guess that makes us co-presidents/editors) we really need a snappy name for that
Science National Honor Society Treasurer
Students Against Intolerance
Gay Straight Alliance
Piano lessons, 9 years, competitions for 2 years
A Cappella Choir/ voice lessons
have volunteered not so much, this year I had 30 hours I think, tutor in French and math
am getting a job this summer
I can't remember anything else
Oh. I am white and female. (not helping, I suppose?)</p>

<p>I can give you my "transcript" of classes I have taken if that would help, but as it is this is already ridiculously long.</p>

<p>So...? Tell me if I'm being unrealistic...</p>

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<p>oh hell, I'll give the transcript of classes anyway, why not? :)</p>

<p>9th grade:
English Honors 9-1 A/A
U.S. History A/A
Biology II/III (tested out of Bio I) A-/A-
Honors Math 9 A-/A-
French 1 A-/A
Advanced Concert Choir A/A
Gym/Swim (required) A/A
Seminar (also required, it's like study hall) A/A</p>

<p>10th grade:
English Honors A/A-
African American Literature A/A
Economics/Civics A/A
Chemistry A-/A
Honors Math A/A-
French 2 A/A
A Cappella Choir A/A
Seminar A/A</p>

<p>11th grade:
English Honors A/A
Honors Math A/A-
World History A/A-
A Cappella Choir A/A
French 3 A/A
Philosophy/Humanities A/A
AP Physics A/A
Seminar A/A</p>

<p>next year projected schedule:
AP English Lit
AP Calc AB
AP Psychology/second semester Literature of the 60s
Anatomy and Physiology
Writing Center
Intermediate French at local CC
A Cappella Choir
Seminar</p>

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<p>McGhee, I think you have a reasonably good shot at all the colleges on your list; however, I'd strongly urge you to slip in a safety or sure-bet just so you can sleep at night. You should only consider UMich a safety if you really want to go there. I happen to be a Michigan alumna so I'm not knocking it; it just seems to be quite different in character from the others on your list. </p>

<p>Brown and Wellesley, followed by Wesleyan, are probably the most selective. They are all quirky and unpredictable in admissions and weigh EC's, essays, recommendations and overall fit heavily. </p>

<p>My son is a rising junior at Williams. He was interested in several schools on your list, especially Wesleyan and Brown. I'd suggest that you take a look at Williams as it has some of the best opportunities in theater and music among all the LACs and the English department is excellent.</p>

<p>For less selectives I'd suggest Smith, Skidmore, Conn College, Kenyon and Grinnell.</p>

<p>You don't mention your financial situation. If you are counting on aid, either need based or merit, you may have to add a few more financial safeties. Neither Wesleyan nor Brown offers merit; I'm not sure about Vassar. If your family qualifies for needbased aid, then some of the most selective schools -- like the ivies and top LACs -- can actually be the most generous.</p>

<p>If you're in the position to pay fullfare, then you should consider applying ED as that will give you a boost at all of these schools.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much.
Yeah, my family is not financially secure, and we are counting on aid...we noticed that none gave merit-aid, so we are counting on the financial aid. I would apply ED to Wesleyan if this wasn't the case.
My parents really think I should go to U-M because it's the cheapest and the closest to home, so I have to keep it on my list...I just don't think it's a good fit for me and I kind of want to get away from all the people in my school (a lot of people go there, it's everyone's dream school).
so thank you very much</p>

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<p>I know this is kind of annoying, but:
bump...anyone else?</p>

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<p>Wesleyan will give you a good aid package-- if you get in. That grade in physics looks really good on you; Wesleyan has a yawning faculty to student ratio in the sciences and they are always looking to balance it out with more majors.</p>

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<p>I think that all those schools are probably reaches. Brown may be unrealistic for you. I would suggest looking at Skidmore, Bard, maybe Sarah Lawrence, Kenyon, Kalamazoo (since you live in Mich)... You could probably get into U-Mich, but I'd look at some more safeties.</p>

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<p>wait y dont you have above 4.0 weighted gpa...all your grades are eithers A's or A-'s</p>

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<p>Thank you for being honest. I know Brown is a pretty big reach, but I really am into so I am going to apply--or maybe it would just be a waste of money, I don't know. I'm really into Wes, Brown and Vassar, so if you have any suggestions on how to make them more realistic for me...should I retake the SATs again? I dunno... But thanks for being honest again.</p>

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<p>have you looked at the california schools? cal and ucla are great and cheap! im an entering freshman at ucla! i also think you have a shot at cornell! look it up!</p>

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<p>No? You have just as great a chance as well at Brown. Ugh, most colleges take the higher of your two standardized test scores: SAT 2140, and a 30 ACT. I think you're fine, and competitive. I think what will matter more for brown at this point is your EC's and your essay.</p>

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<p>Hurdlesrock--my school only weights for AP classes, and my only one is AP Physics...I have too many A-'s to have over a 4.0 :)</p>

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<p>Lower stats my black behind!</p>

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<p>You must must must must must read "The Gatekeepers." It's all about the human side of the admissions process at Wesleyan. It's fascinating-I finished it last night and wish that I had read it last fall when I was applying to my colleges. And I also kind of want to go to Wesleyan now lol.
As long as you keep up your senior grades then you're good! Brown might be a reach, because everyone loves Brown.</p>

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<p>quitejaded:
hahahahaha
well, definitely lower than everyone else's on here! I haven't written a novel or saved a bus full of babies in Iceland, etc...with the 2340s and 12983 AP classes and class presidents, etc...also the reason I have good grades is because I come from a very easy public high school, unlike the super competitive private schools that everyone here goes to. sorry, I guess I was probably being just as annoying as the people I was talking about.</p>

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<p>agda: I thought that UC schools were impossible to get into for out-of-staters...or maybe I'm just misinformed. When I was a kid, I always wanted to go to UCLA, congratulations! thanks for your help</p>

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<p>its tough but possible! whats the worse that can happen? you dont get in. come on. thanks and good luck ill stay posted. rememer your personal statement is key!!</p>

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<p>I actually just read the Gatekeepers, got it out from my library and read it in one day! I don't know why, but I'm not sure it helped me...just kind of made me wish I was a minority or from a school that had connections with the admissions counselor. But it was incredibly interesting and a great read. It made me fall more in love with Wes...I really liked reading it.
I used to be obsessed with Brown, but I think Wesleyan is more for me. It's still a very very lovely second choice, but if I don't get into Brown I won't die. However, Wes is a different story...
thanks!</p>

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<p>I'd say apply, why not? I might have been a little too harsh. Your chances aren't bad. I'd consider adding more schools, though.</p>

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<p>Oh, and you have to remember to take the SAT II's and do well! Also, I would recommend taking both the SAT and ACT again if you can. Your scores are not so good, especially math.</p>