Chance a Junior

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

<p>(White) currently a junior at a Catholic high school in Pennsylvania</p>

<p>Grades: 4.0 scale (An A in an AP class is a 4.3)
Freshman- Somewhere around a 3.9 (B first semester in math) - All honors classes
Sophomore- 4.0 - All honors classes
Junior (so far)- 4.1 - 4.2 (Don't have exact calculation from office) - 3 APs (Lang, Chem, Euro), the rest are honors</p>

<p>I'll be taking 6 APs next year (Lit, Physics, Macro, Calc, Comp Sci, psych offered my local college)</p>

<p>SAT: 2110 (CR: 650 M: 790 W: 670) </p>

<p>Second time taking it, but that is all from one sitting. Prior to that test the only thing I actually studied/practiced was math (which paid off). Over the summer I plan to study CR a lot and read to prepare for next fall. </p>

<p>ACT: 33 Composite</p>

<p>Only took it once. Pretty happy with this score. I didn't do relatively well on science (28) compared to the rest, but I'm confident that if I improve that and my essay (8) I can at least increase my composite to a 34.</p>

<p>Class Rank (Cummulative): 16/296 (~5%) Was 21 at the end of last year, if I keep up my grades I should be able to move up one or two more spots.</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>DECA Business Club (school just started club this year): 4th place in district competition in Principles of Finance event, advanced to state competition where I placed 3rd in my event, and in doing so have advanced to (and will participate in) the international level of competition (ICDC) being held in Atlanta. I'm also going to run (and confident in being elected) for a leadership position within my school's chapter next year.</p></li>
<li><p>4 years running cross country</p></li>
<li><p>NHS (11,12) - tutoring,etc. Will try to get elected for leadership position</p></li>
<li><p>Community Service Club homeroom rep (4 year member, 3 year rep)</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteer every Monday (~1.5 hours) teaching CCD (religious education)</p></li>
<li><p>Ambassadors club</p></li>
<li><p>Last year, advanced to county science fair (1st place) and then district science fair.</p></li>
<li><p>2 Years reading olympics (club just started this year)</p></li>
<li><p>Went to business camp last summer</p></li>
<li><p>Work 15-20 hours/month</p></li>
</ul>

<p>That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Thanks for any feedback!</p>

2

<p>I would concentrate on raising your SAT score or ACT (science part); no need to take both tests - choose one and nail it. If SAT, get all three into the 700s. </p>

<p>Make sure that you are taking the most rigorous courses your school has to offer, as Williams will get your school course profiles. </p>

<p>Activities seem standard, so need to find the thread that runs between them that helps define something specific and memorable about you. </p>

<p>If you are a really good runner, talk to the track coach too.</p>

3

<p>Williams is about excelling at many things, and enjoying everything (to an extent, of course). You seem to have the breadth down, now you have to focus on the thing that will set you apart, since having everything standard will not get you far in the top schools. I agree with awcntdb that you don’t need to take both tests, but it’s worth noting that when I took the ACT a second time I got from a 33 to a 36 while my SAT increase wasn’t comparable. Just one data point, but still.</p>

<p>Anyway, back to the extracurriculars, and, more importantly, setting yourself apart. The first semester of senior year is, for obvious reasons, where you can get the most leadership. Since you seem to have a lot of business experience, why not start a business? When doing this, think creatively; instead of starting a tutoring business for yourself, gather other intelligent people around you and hire them out, increasing your leadership and making some good money while you’re at it (taking a small cut from their earnings, of course). Or, since you seem to be rather organized, create a business to help others get organized. If you have a skill in building - some do, it’s actually rather cool - start a small carpentry business. Any way that you can get yourself doing truly adult things will set you apart from other applicants who went through high school doing everything right, exactly the same way.</p>

<p>Anyway that’s my opinion, I obviously don’t have all the answers but speaking as someone who will be going to Williams next fall, I guess i did something right.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed response! How did you prepare between your two ACT tests? </p>

<p>I’ve been tossing around different start-up ideas in my head for the last month or so, hopefully I’ll be able to come up with something that I can enjoy. Thanks again!</p>

5

<p>I actually focused only on sections I did poorly on, which for me were math and english. The science is honestly a crapshoot in my opinion, there’s a modicum of preparation you can do to get a better score but for a lot of them it just depends on how familiar you are with the material and how well the questions make sense to you.</p>

<p>Ooh! Another thing: SAT2s are your friends. I got an 800 on math 2 (with a lot of studying thought) and chemistry (not even a little studying) the first time around, so if you’re particularly strong - it just has to be a subject where you pretty consistently get A’s - take at least two tests.</p>

6

<p>Good idea. Yeah, I know what you mean. On the released exams I was practicing with I was consistently getting 31/32 on science, but I guess the test day stress got to me. </p>

<p>Also, kind of funny because I actually just ordered review books for Math II and Physics last night! </p>

7

<p>Are you really good in cross country? If so, this could definitely be your hook! If you talk to the cross country coach you could possibly apply ED and have the coach’s support. Of course along with you getting your ACT score a little higher.</p>