Chance a junior?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Carleton College
1

<p>Female, white, from oregon.
4.0 gap uw, 4.17 w
sat: 2100 -800 reading, 660 math, 640 writing (hoping to do better on the act)
Freshman:
Honors English
Honors Bio
Honors Modern world history
Drama 1-2
French 1-2
Algebra 3-4 Honors
PE</p>

<p>Sophomore:
French 3-4
Honors English
Chemistry
Gov/Econ
Drama 3-4
Precalc
Health</p>

<p>Junior:
IB Physics SL
French 5-6
IB Theater SL
IB Calc SL
IB History of the Americas
IB Bio SL
IB English HL
Symphonic Band (1st semester)
Advanced Jazz band (2nd semester, switched in halfway through the year.
This is a very time consuming and
active band! We do competitions all the time and usually do pretty darn well!)</p>

<p>Tentative Senior schedule:
IB Physics HL
IB French SL
IB Theater HL
IB Calc HL
IB Chemistry SL
IB Biology HL
IB English HL
Advanced Jazz Band
Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Really involved in the drama department (9-11), acted in or helped out on all of the
productions the drama department has done since my freshman year.
Going to direct a senior one-act next year, running for thespian council
for next year, and should be able to letter in drama.
I participate in an after-school improv class one day a week,
and just started performing with some other improvisers from the class at a local cafe.
MUN member (11)
Musician - I play the violin, viola, and bass in about 7 different musical groups,
including a symphonic band, an orchestra, a jazz combo, a jazz band, and a quartet that
arranges and plays popular music. </p>

<p>Intended Major: Biology</p>

<p>Recommendations: Should be good. I'm also thinking of getting a letter from my music
teacher if I can. She knows me amazingly well and will write a fantastic one
for sure.
Also went to france for three weeks last summer, not sure if that counts as something
but it made me really want to study abroad in college...</p>

<p>I'm also hoping to do a biology-related internship this summer.</p>

<p>Anyways, sorry about all that text. Thanks for reading and please also chance me for the
following schools if you feel like it:
Carleton
Rice (Considering applying early decision)
NYU
Boston U
Macalester
Grinnell
UChicago
UWisconsin- Madison</p>

<p>Thanks everybody!</p>

2

<p>whoops I meant I’m thinking of applying ED to Carleton, not rice. Sorry about that.</p>

3

<p>Looks very good for Carleton ED. Will you qualify for National Merit Finalist in your state? (Carleton loves 'em some National Merit yumyums.) </p>

<p>The France in the summer is a yawn, assuming it was self-selected and self-paid. But it is not a drawback.</p>

<p>What do you plan to write your essay on ?</p>

<p>Carleton is a good fit for quirky, intellectually curious, self-starter kids.</p>

4

<p>Awesome!
I’m not sure about the essay. I was considering writing it about my grandma because she’s been a huge inspiration for me. Otherwise, I was thinking I could write about my dad. He’s extremely conservative and I think spending so much time with him has helped me to understand the opinions of people who are really different from me.
Any suggestions?</p>

5

<p>Although it’s near the bottom of the “overdone” list, one essay topic that IS on The List is: “How my Grandparents’ Old-Fashioned Ways are Inspiring and Endearing (Even Though I Don’t Really Want to Have to Follow those Ways).” So, if that’s the tack you intend to take with Grandma, tread carefully. The sad fact is that most essay topics that high-school seniors believe to be some combination of profound, meaningful, inspiring, etc. are usually threadbare/overdone/awkward in the hands of callow youth.</p>

<p>On the other hand, many of the “overdone” topics can be fine, if approached in a fresh manner. A rule of thumb: DO NOT TRY TO BE PROFOUND! If there is profundity in your essay, let it “find itself.” Let it surface on its own. Do not find it, sculpt it, mold it, highlight it, bronze it, create it.</p>

<p>Just my $.02.</p>

6

<p>Well, I was going to go for more of a “my grandma was an amazing woman and I would be proud if I could accomplish half as much in my life as she did in hers” sort of vibe. But I definitely get your point and I’ll take that into consideration when I actually start applying. Thanks for the thoughts!</p>

7

<p>crescentmoon, you also look like you would be a very strong candidate at Grinnell. However, applications at Grinnell are up over 50% this year, and if that trend continues, obviously it will affect everyone’s admission chances. </p>

<p>Grinnell and Carleton share many common traits (and applicants). Grinnell’s sciences are amazing–wonderful facilities and many opportunities for paid research positions through the MAP program. You would have many musical opportunities as well. The orchestra director is top-notch. </p>

<p>Grinnell’s huge endowment allows it to offer excellent need-based aid and keep the cost down for everyone. Grinnell has traditionally been about $5,000 per year less than Carleton and also gives significant merit aid (up to $15,000 per year), so that’s a consideration if your family won’t get need-based aid. </p>

<p>Good luck and enjoy the college search!</p>

8

<p>I still think this is an overdone take. I know several people just at my small, private school who have done essays like this if that’s any indication. And the vibe that I have gotten from Carleton is about how different they and their students are.
Also, work on bringing up that writing score if you plan to stick with the SAT.</p>

9

<p>Piglette, you said Carleton loves National Merit kids–does this go so far as “needing” them more in term of fin aid? The 2000 a yr is not much off the 56 a yr cost.</p>

10

<p>dasher: I can tell you that when Carleton accepted my son (a National Merit Finalist; also an “early-write” acceptee), they did not offer him merit aid, because Carleton does not do that. However, I did note that Carleton’s interpretation of our family’s “demonstrated financial need” was very generous. Hard to tell how much of that is/was due to the vagaries of any given institution’s individual formula, and how much may have been due to the fact that my son was a particularly good fit for the school, and a candidate whom they wished to attract that year.</p>

<p>In any event: good luck !!!</p>

11

<p>I was accepted ED and my SAT looked strikingly similar to yours: 750 CR, 730 Math, 640 Writing. I wouldn’t be too concerned about this, unless however you earn a 32 or higher on the ACT. I was also a National Merit Finalist, but based on everything as long as you are able to write well and come off as unique in your essay I wouldn’t fret regarding whether or not you have the credentials to be accepted.</p>

12

<p>oh oh, now you’ve worried me. Carleton does “early-writes” too? I didn’t get the “early-write” at Carleton --but DID get it at Williams, Amherst, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt…etc. But Carleton is my #1. I heard that some schools will deny the very top applicants for fear they would just go to other schools anyway and thus lower their “yield.” I think I fit into that category. Don’t know how much more suspense we all can take at my house.</p>

13

<p>dasher: Honestly, I wouldn’t sweat the lack of “early-write.” I think that Carleton may not do them ANY LONGER. My son applied back in 2004. And, at the risk of being a too-proud mother, I do think that he would have fit into that category of “deny because he won’t take you up on the acceptance,” IF Carleton played that game. (Which Carleton does NOT do.) DS was accepted at Princeton, Brown, Middlebury, Harvey Mudd, Swarthmore, Williams, RPI, and maybe one or two I have forgotten. He had near-full-ride scholarship at RPI, merit scholarship at Mudd, and “secret” scholarship (grants instead of loans) at Swarthmore. All the same, Carleton was his strong second choice (and his mother’s FIRST choice for him), and he still says that he probably should have gone there. Carleton simply may not do “early writes” any more.</p>