chance a vermonter! very low ACT, excellent ECs

Colleges and Universities A-Z Middlebury College
1

<p>After lots of research, Middlebury has become my top choice, so I'll be apply ED 1.</p>

<p>I'm a Vermonter, and I talked to an admissions counselor at a college fair and he told me being a VT resident is no different than being a URM, legacy, etc to Middlebury as they really emphasize community engangement.</p>

<p>Intended major: Biology</p>

<p>Mom is a special Ed teacher, don't have a dad. Adopted from Moldova, and have dual citizenship</p>

<p>Income is only about 51k</p>

<p>22 ACT with writing, and yes that is with a lot of studying.</p>

<p>Unique situation during my junior year...</p>

<p>90 gpa in 9th grade, 1 B in math and a B in art</p>

<p>92.59 gpa (sophomore year) B in math, B in env science</p>

<p>Junior year - had a severe case of mono, combined with hypothyroidism caused me to miss 3 months of school (could hardly watch TV, it was a nightmare), as a result, I was forced to drop some of my classes and catch up as quickly as possible so I wouldnt have to retake the 11th grade. 87 in AP english and comp, 89 in chemistry, and 72 in geometry honors <em>cringe</em> but I made it. Will mention this in my essay so they don't think i just screwed off junior year.</p>

<p>Senior year schedule will be AP bio, lit, human geography and stats, and spanish III</p>

<p>Volunteer work: (shows determination and focus)</p>

<p>Global impact apprenticeship: co captain freshman year. Worked with several schools overseas to improve water quality, wildlife and other things, all while documenting and presenting a video to broadcast with te other schools participating. This got lots of press, was in the news paper just about every month in my town, and when I search my name, half the results are from the GIA program</p>

<p>Ambassadors group member</p>

<p>Ran XC fresh year</p>

<p>Shadowed/assisted a horse vet over the summer: ~30 hrs</p>

<p>Worked on a dairy farm feeding calves twice a week : ~ 20 hrs</p>

<p>Green Mt Horse Association jumping crew, vet assistant/scribe and other various jobs: ~15 hrs</p>

<p>Shadowing/ assisting various vets every Saturday morning 9-12: 15 hrs</p>

<p>Volunteer at The Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, orphan baby bird feeder</p>

<p>Attending Cornell Summer College Course in Captive Raptor Management junior year</p>

<p>Job as a dog sitter on an as needed basis</p>

<p>Strong essay writing skills.</p>

<p>Attended Adventures in Veterinary Medicine sophomore year.</p>

<p>Any feedback will be greatly appreciated, thanks.</p>

2

<p>Feedback will be exactly the same as it was when you posted on the Bowdoin and Bates boards. Your extracurriculars are very nice, but academic considerations rule. </p>

<p>It sounds like you think you may have a hook at Midd by being a Vermonter, but still remember you will be competing against other Vermonters who are likely to have a better academic record and higher scores.</p>

<p>I urge you not to waste your ED shot at this high of a reach, and to consider an LAC for ED where your scores are solidly within the median range, and not way below.</p>

<p>Here is my post responding to your prior chances request re: Bowdoin and Bates. Just substitute Midd for Bowdoin/Bates and the feedback would be the same. I am not trying to be mean, there is always “a chance”, but you only get one ED1 shot. Use it strategically and wisely.</p>

<p>Prior feedback:</p>

<p>Your best shot is UVM since you are a state resident, then UNH.</p>

<p>For Bates and Bowdoin (or Midd), they will be looking for demonstrated success in a rigorous courseload, especially since you are not sending scores. You mentioned an 87 in AP English junior year and a 72 in Geometry Honors. That Geometry grade will not be helpful. You mentioned that you will be taking one AP course senior year. If your school offers a more rigorous courseload, your record probably will not make the cut at the Bates/Bowdoin (or Midd) level. </p>

<p>Take a look at the Decisions threads for Bates and Bowdoin (and Midd) for the past few years, you will see what your competition looks like.</p>

<p>You might want to take a look at St Lawrence and/or other LACs that are not quite as selective as Bates and Bowdoin. Regardless, you will need a few safeties. I think you will do fine but you will need to be a bit strategic, perhaps not reach quite as high …</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Midd looks at scores in comparison to your school, which for me, my scores are fine. </p>

<p>I go to a school that offers about 5 AP courses total. Also, you read it wrong. I’m taking several APs, I just listed them. </p>

<p>You seem to be the only person who thinks I don’t have a chance at these schools and discourages me from applying. I appreciate honest feedback, but this is a little much. I opened this thread to get more feedback, not to get the same person telling me to look at other schools.</p>

4

<p>Sorry, but I basically second everything the above poster said. The beauty of CC is that it can often offer the unwanted advice that friends and family might be unwilling to give.</p>

<p>Hook or not, I’d imagine getting in to Middlebury with a 22 isn’t possible unless you’re a celebrity or something.</p>

5

<p>you do realize ACT/SAT scores aren’t that heavily weighted…</p>

6

<p>According to Middlebury’s common data set for 2012-2013, 75% of enrolled students scored between 30 and 36 on the ACT (with 25%/75% at 31 and 33). An additional 23.5% scored between 24 and 29. Only 1.5% of enrolled students scored 23 or below on the ACT. It’s been done, but you’ll have to shine brighter than all of the other stars in the sky.</p>

7

<p>Thanks. Also they compare SAT/ACT scores within your high school. My high school average score is probably about a 20/1300-1400. I’m still studying away for the SAT, hoping I can get at least an 1800. I don’t know why I have such a hard time with these tests, but it’s so frustrating.</p>

8

<p>Middlebury’s Admissions Office is aware that a range of factors can affect test scores, including socioeconomic background, test preparation, schooling, and financial and educational resources. We also recognize research that suggests score increases are typically negligible after two rounds of tests, and that many students will not be in a position to take multiple tests. We will continue to keep all of these factors in mind as we review each applicant to Middlebury College.</p>

9

<p>Work really hard to bring your gpa up senior year. But, like the above posters said, your ACT is too low to get in unhooked. Definitely try the SAT, and if your test scores are still very low consider schools that don’t require test scores, as you seem like a strong applicant otherwise. Your ECs are great so keep them up, and remember that your essay matters a lot.</p>

10

<p>Hi FPV, I understand this is a difficult and frustrating time. It’s got to be one of the most difficult things you’ve dealt with so far, but if you come on here soliciting advice, I think you’ve forfeited the right to complain when the advice is not the advice you’d hoped. No one on here is attacking you - just offering their opinions, for which you asked. I assure you, no one is out to get you. They’re all well meaning.</p>

11

<p>Also look at Bowdoin–they don’t require any standardized test scores for admission.</p>

12

<p>I had an interview there, it went really well. Hoping I can get in there, maybe ED2 if Midd doesnt work out after some more test prep. I like Bowdoin a lot still. Too many people have discouraged me from applying there, but I’m trying to keep the hope, especially since they don’t require scores.</p>

13

<p>I really am sorry that I sound like a broken record and that my advice is not what you want to hear. Many of us are speaking from many years of experience guiding several of our own teenagers through the college admissions process. I believe that at least 2 of the above posters who agreed with my assessment are alumni who have shared alot of knowledge on this board. I have seen too many of my children’s friends “waste” their ed shots on too high a reach and then have fewer choices than they might prefer to have during the regular admissions round.</p>

<p>I’m not saying don’t apply - just don’t apply ED. ED can give you a big boost if your stats are already in the ballpark. It’s not going to open the door for someone whose stats do not match the admitted student’s profile, and if you apply ED to too high a reach, you’ve missed the opportunity to get that boost somewhere else where it really could make a difference. </p>

<p>I do believe that your extracurriculars are stellar. If you can get those scores up at least above the 25th percentile and demonstrate all As first semester senior year, you would be a stronger candidate.</p>

<p>You seem very sure that we are all wrong about your chances. If you know better, then why keep asking and arguing with those of us who are hesitant to recommend that you pull the ED trigger at a super selective LAC like Midd? I urge you to review the decision threads for Midd and see the academic profiles of students who are admitted. Again, several of the posters on this thread are very very familiar with the college admissions process and Middlebury admissions in particular. </p>

<p>Believe me, if you decide we are all wrong and you are right, and you apply ED and you are admitted, we will be happy for you! It’s just frustrating to offer well-meaning and solicited advice and then be scolded and argued with when the advice is not the advice you hoped for.</p>

14

<p>Even if you are able to entice a selective school in the ED rounds based on your determined, focused ECs, you should prepare for the possibility of being deferred. The volatility of your grades (despite a medical explanation) combined with below-the-bar test results makes it likely any selective school will at best want to see your fall semester results before making a final decision about you. Have you tried SAT subject tests? Good scores on those would provide much needed support for your academic record. Also, if you are determined to apply in the early rounds, IMO you should be sure your ED schools are need blind (Midd and Bowdoin are, Bates is not).</p>