Being from the NE (especially NY and MA) is a big disadvantage at the NE LACs. I think it’s very unlikely you’ll get into Bowdoin and Amherst, even with ED. (My D with 102 GPA and 1560 was waitlisted at both LY). Other schools will be tough too because of your GPA, but perhaps if you show a lot of interest in Bates and Hamilton you may get in. I would say Dickinson and Muhlenberg are likely, but I have no idea if they’ll give you the aid you need. Skidmore is probably a no - they’re very sensitive to need - two highly qualified students I know were rejected LY because they required a lot of FA, yet two less qualified full-pay students got in. Good luck!
If they’re high school classes, rather than extracurricular activities, they should count for the GPA. At my kid’s high school there were school classes in photography, art, journalism, etc. My kid took drawing, painting, print-making, and AP studio art, and all were considered for her high school GPA. The only classes which her HS did not consider for credit were the required courses related to PE, which also included health and driving.
I would check the rules if I were you, since your GPA may be higher than you think. Even if your high school doesn’t consider them for your GPA, there is a good chance that the colleges to which you apply will. This may be especially true if you are stating that you want to pursue a major in the humanities. Journalism and architecture are really good courses to take, if you want to major in, say, history.
Overall, I really cannot figure out your admission chances. On one hand, your GPA is on the low side, but on the other hand, it’s also extremely rigorous. You also have many other accomplishments, and a very challenging family situation, as well as being first gen.
I really hope that you are accepted to a college which will also help you financially. I really think that you will do well in college, and that your biggest challenge in college is being accepted to a full need met college, since they’re all extremely competitive.
My advice is to apply to any college which you will be able to afford, have a back up plan (which it seems you have), and hope for the best.
Best of luck!
You say you have taken IB classes. Are you an IB diploma candidate?
@MWolf print-making is another of the electives I’ve taken, so they’re all in that more artsy vein. My school definitely does not count it in the GPA, they have a mark on my transcript that means not counted, but they are on the transcript for colleges to see and consider the grades if they want (all A’s ofc it’s not hard to do well in electives). I used an online calc that was accurate for my current gpa, added the electives (not gym/health) and the new UW one was 3.4 (the electives are less credits so don’t matter as much in the calculation). W went up to 3.98/4.0. i don’t think it’s going to count for anything really.
my GPA is exactly why I also have no idea what’s going to happen haha. I really don’t know how anything’s going to be looked at.
thank you for all your kind words and advice.
@RayManta No I’m not. I’ve only taken IB in three subjects.
@hviewer jeez I hope I get into Skidmore, I spent so much time visiting and interviewing bc I liked it so much. I agree abt Bowdoin and Amherst, I’m just shooting my shot, maybe the admissions officer will be having a good day or something and just let me in lol. ty for advice!
Skidmore easily would be one of your stronger choices for studio art, so in this area it may offer advantages over your “top choice” schools. Vassar, which is strong across fine arts in general, and Hamilton, notable for its arts facilities, also offer advantages that I’d advise you to consider. I think Wesleyan, as well, should be higher on your list.
I think you have a good shot at some of these schools. With these “holistic” admissions it can be really hard to chance people but it seems like you have overcome a lot in your life and hopefully that will be rewarded come admission time.
Just curious, how did you visit so many schools without any parental support? My D and I have been visiting schools and it’s a lot of time and $$ to get hotel rooms, rent cars etc. Not sure how she would possibly do it on her own.
@merc81 I want to study studio art but I don’t want anything to do with it as a career so it doesn’t really matter to me how strong the program is. all of these schools would be fine. my list is based on my visits and subjective things
@MAmom111 sometimes it’s more complicated than that lol. I still live with my parents, idk how I would be expected to never interact with them at 17, we have no other family in this country. I had to beg, and each visit is full of them bouncing back and forth between “this is a nice school!” and “I don’t know why you made us waste our time since there’s no way any school would take you once they met you and saw how crap you are.” they support me financially, but degrade me about it to the point I feel like crap spending money on gas, food, AP/IB exams. they drove me “just in case I blame them later for any rejections” but they didn’t want to. It doesn’t feel like support when the whole time I also have to listen to fighting, complaining that I made them take me and being told we should just go home bc even community college is too good for me.
@extremelystressed , i just want to say that your experience and accomplishments are amazing and i am sorry to hear aboit your family circumstances. It sounds like the next 6months at home will be challenging but i wish you all the best this time next hear at the college of your choice.
Based on your experiences from your visits, you may want to follow through on your idea to send an ED application to Bates.