<p>Hello! I am a white male that attends Grandview High School in Colorado. During my college search I discovered William and Mary and fell in love. So I decided to apply as an out of state applicant for Early Decision. However, I want to identify my chances for my mental health :P. </p>
<p>Grades: Unweighted GPA: 3.8 Weighted GPA: 4.3
In the top 3% of my graduating class with 650 students.
I will have taken eight AP classes upon graduation with the rest of my classes being almost all honors.
The AP's I have taken:
AP Human Geography
AP World History'
AP US Government/Politics
AP Comparative Government/Politics
AP English Language</p>
<p>Senior AP's:
AP Environmental Science
AP Chinese Language
AP European History
* From reading W&M's website it is encouraged for our classes to culminate in Physics and Calculus. However, I am not exceptional at math or science and am much better at the humanities. So I have only gone up to College Precalc/Trig for math and for science I took Honors Physics Sophomore year. Will this greatly affect my chances?*</p>
<p>Test Scores:
ACT (First time without writing) 25
ACT (Second time WITH writing) 26
SAT II World History 740
* I know these test scores are average especially for an out of state applicant. But will these scores heavily affect my chances with early decision? I find it difficult for me personally to do well in standardized testing. For early decision is it possible to take the ACT again by the October test date?*</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
NHS
NCHS (National Chinese Honors Society)
Chinese Club (President)
Key Club (President)
FBLA
Karate (Teach little kids classes)
200 hours of community service</p>
<p>Other:
I interned for a political campaign for a candidate running for governor during the 2010 midterm elections.
I also did a school trip to Beijing, China where I lived with a host family and took classes.</p>
<p>Recommendations: Good</p>
<p>Essay: Very Good (Hope you think so :P)</p>
<p>Majors: International Relations/Chinese (I have been taking Chinese throughout high school and absolutely love it)</p>
<p>Basically I just want to know do I have a shot at William and Mary as an out of state applicant for early decision. Is these anything I can do to help my chances?</p>
<p>Every student has a chance because we review holistically and have no minimum criteria to be admitted. We consider the whole student before making an admission decision.</p>
<p>That being said every student should apply to selective schools with realistic expectations. We admit less than 30% of the out-of-state students who apply so unfortunately we do not take far more students than we do take.</p>
<p>Applying ED will help you. It’s easier to stand out in a smaller pool of applicants. If you’ve taken bio chem and physics then you’ve done what we ask you to in the sciences. Are you in pre-calc this year? Even if you don’t take calc we want you to enroll in math all four years. Why only 3 APs this year when you have 5 prior to senior year? We generally like to see you take more APs with each passing year.</p>
<p>Generally the Oct. ACT does not arrive in time to be considered during ED. Can you take the Oct. SAT this weekend? That does generally arrive in time. A 26 while okay is below our overall middle 50% range and quite a bit below our middle 50% range for out-of-state. While testing is only one part of our process it is something that can make you more or less competitive so if you can take the Oct. SAT we’d recommend doing so.</p>
<p>Do all that you can to put your personality into your application and put your best foot forward. If you do that than you’ve done all you can and the rest is up to us.</p>
<p>I am actually in College Pre Calc/Trig this year and have taken math all four years. I am only taking three AP classes this year because in my junior year I was in 5 AP classes with 3 honors. Unfortunately I got very ill and was hospitalized and missed three months of school. SO I had to cut back to keep myself from getting completely overwhelmed. So when reviewing my transcript there is an obvious break from my streak of all As. So my parents in my Senior year wanted me to only have three to prevent a repeat of a stressful year. So that is why I am only in three during my last year in high school.
If I explain all this in my application and address it will it greatly hurt me?
I also do not believe I will be able to take the October SAT but may try. D:</p>
<p>You should certainly provide an explanation in your application. It will help us put your application into context. Your senior course schedule may be considered less rigorous than others who take more APs but context allows us to review your application in a manner appropriate to you.</p>
<p>The Oct. SAT is this Saturday…just a heads up.</p>