<p>I’m a junior at Ridgefield High School in CT. </p>
<p>GPA
UW - 4.2
W- 4.5</p>
<p>Been on high honor roll every semester of high school. I played JV hockey soph year, JV golf freshman year, Varsity golf soph-junior and will play next year (as captain). I had about 30 hours of community service at local hockey rink teaching “learn to skate”. Also received many school awards. I play in a band with my friends, we do gigs (does that mean anything?). </p>
<p>My school doesnt rank, but i think im top 10% or so. 4 years Math/English, 3 years Language, 4 AP classes total (including next year), 4 years science, 3.5 years History, 1 year Art, 2 years Business.</p>
<p>I've played in the Metropolitan Golf Junior PGA Tour for 4 years (including this summer), and have had the same caddying job for 4 years (including this summer), working about 20 hours a week every week of summer. I have some songs that ive written which i might include in my "portfolio" as well.</p>
<p>Your grades and SATs are good. (stating the obvious) as Tzar said though take some subject tests and do well on them. That will be good.
Althought im not sure how you can have an unweighted GPA of a 4.2....?
haha</p>
<p>What it will come down to is:
What makes you a unique applicant?
What can you add to the Bowdoin Community?
What have you done that will catch an eye?</p>
<p>After all Bowdoin receives 6,000 applications. You need to stand out in some way. Coming from CT makes it even harder.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is SAT optional so it is better to take two subject tests that you will do well on. AP scores are good to send in too... not that you will get any credit for them. Two things you should try to get down are these:
1) A HOOK
You need some kind of gymnic (besides sports) to make yourself seem smart AND interesting. Interesting and unique community service groups, leadership (again besides sports), and theater come to mind (ESPECIALLY IF YOU PLAY SPORTS!!!)
2) Go to the summer sports camps at Bowdoin this summer. I lived too far for it, but what a lot of kids do it they attend the summer before senior year and get to know the coach who may or may not recruit you next Fall. If they like you and you live in New England, the coaches might go to games (provided you invite them with enough time) and it will play a hand in you admissions. </p>
<p>You can't seem like just another smart kid that plays sports. Everyone at Bowdoin has that same hook. The key to locking in your admission is to have something more interesting about you.</p>
<p>Try to get recruited for golf (I'm assuming thats your primary sport because you are capt. etc). Bowdoin does not take smart "athletes" unless you are going to be an athletes at Bowdoin. They are really stepping up their recruiting program (or so the track and soccer coaches told me) because they want to compete with Williams (Williams has best Nescac athletics overall, Amherst is good at certain sports, and Bowdoin is good at certain sports but they really want to expand). If you can't, or don't want to be recruited to play in college find another focus besides athletics.</p>
<p>thanks for the replies guys...i also have music going for me, and plan to do something this summer music related to make me stand out. im also hoping my band can win battle of the bands next year.</p>
<p>@zfox...our school uses a 4.5 GPA scale, rather than the standard 4.0 GPA. i guess they try to boost our self esteem or somethin :).</p>