<p>Bump bump bump</p>
<p>I have taken the time to calculate out some percentages for the schools I’m applying to. The following list goes in this order: percent females accepted 2012, overall acceptance rate 2012, acceptance rate in my school district in the last five years, acceptance rate in my school district last year, average gpa and act accepted from my school district.</p>
<p>Colorado 28.1, 25.8, 30.8, 22.2 3.81 - 29
Grinnell 51.7, 50.9, 44.2, 46.7 3.83 - 30
Macalester 37.6, 36.7, 46.9, 46.2 3.90 - 30
Pitzer 22.1, 22.3, 21.0, 6.9 3.83 - 27
Swarthmore 12.6, 14.2, 13.1, 25.0 3.94 - 32
Wesleyan 22.3, 24.2, 15.3, 6.7 3.94 - 32
Whitman 53.0, 53.6, 49.3, 32.4 3.88 - 29</p>
<p>A few things that are apparent is that Wesleyan doesn’t accept many from my district and Pitzer had a really low acceptance rate last year. Whitman was also difficult last year from the district whereas Swarthmore and Macalester were easier. My school is the number two school academically in the district and I think it’s safe to say a large majority of the applicants came from the top 4 out of 9 schools. My GPA is higher than Colorado, Grinnell, or Pitzer and about the same as Whitman and Macalester. Swat and Wes’ gpas are a little higher. My GPA is 3.89 and 33 ACT as stated earlier. New chance with the added info?</p>
<p>BUMPbumpbump seriously no new chances? I will chance back</p>
<p>I can’t comment really about your new chances, sorry (!) but I couldn’t resist commenting on these stats and why I don’t think you should focus TOO much on them. I live in SoCal and just 7 years ago, Pitzer had double the acceptance rate and it was where the B+ students went. It has soared in applications and therefore is perceived to be a better school. It’s still the same great little school that it was back then, but regarded now very differently. It probably wouldn’t have been on your list 7 years ago. The same has happened with Colorado College, although not quite as dramatically. I only say this because the numbers change and will be different 7 years from now, as one school or another rises or falls in popularity, thus changing their admit rates and their status.</p>
<p>Yeah that’s actually one of my main concerns with Pitzer and less so Colorado. I actually found out about the school when the acceptance rate was around 40%, the highest of all the Claremont schools. I find the test optional piece amazing and the lower selectivity because I think it would bring more of a down to earth and less competitive student body. I almost decided I wasn’t going to apply because of how hard it is to get into. I’ve been told it hasn’t changed the culture of the school but it’s hard not to imagine some people only finding out about the school and applying because it is more “prestigious” due to the extremely low acceptance rate.</p>
<p>This same thing has happened to a few schools on my list. Colorado College and Whitman to some degree but definitely Grinnell. A few years ago, they accepted 2/3 of applicants! How I wish this was still possible. It sounds weird but high acceptance rates deter me.</p>
<p>I’m going to take a leap here and assume you meant low acceptance rates deter you. if that’s the case, then you are unusual! Many top students want the most selective school they can get into. So I was preaching to the choir. You are obviously looking for primarily a good fit - which of course does include being around equally intellectually curious students. It’s just that the numbers don’t always illustrate that quality very well.</p>
<p>“It’s just that the numbers don’t always illustrate that quality very well.” What do you mean? That schools with higher acceptances can be equally rigorous?</p>
<p>It’s not that I want a school with super easy admissions. 40-60% I would say is ideal. I want to be around a very intelligent yet humble group. I could see that schools that are hard to get into might lose something. For instance, how many of the people graduating from Pitzer this year would have been accepted if they applied last year? That has to change the dynamic I would think.</p>
<p>“It’s just that the numbers don’t always illustrate that quality very well.” What do you mean? That schools with higher acceptances can be equally rigorous?</p>
<p>It’s not that I want a school with super easy admissions. 40-60% I would say is ideal. I want to be around a very intelligent yet humble group. I could see that schools that are hard to get into might lose something. For instance, how many of the people graduating from Pitzer this year would have been accepted if they applied last year? That has to change the dynamic I would think.</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>You have a great list. You will definitely get into a few of these schools. See what your acceptances are, and then throw away the stats. Go visit (again) and choose the school that makes you the most excited, (including the finances.) My D chose Whitman over Berkeley. She has a friend who turned down an acceptance from Stanford to go to Whitman, and another who turned down Pomona - all 3 for that unquantifiable fit. Your school choice may be a different one, but that’s the beauty of a small liberal arts college. They are all unique.</p>
<p>You have a great ACT Score and your ECs look strong! Your essay topic is also unique! You would stand a good chance anywhere! The only potential reach is Swarthmore!</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1448315-chance-me-good-universities-please.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1448315-chance-me-good-universities-please.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks kolijma. I could see myself turning a higher ranked school down for Whitman. I really like it.</p>
<p>This is a great list of schools, and I think colleges will understand the rigor of your science class at Reed.
Colorado College (i think you will get in with your new act score)
Grinnell: high match
Macalester: match
Occidental: low match
Pitzer: high match (the student body is so small and they keep getting more applications)
Swarthmore: low reach
Wesleyan: low reach
Whitman: low match</p>
<p>chance back: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1451557-chances-colby-middlebury-kenyon-etc.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1451557-chances-colby-middlebury-kenyon-etc.html</a>
Best of Luck!</p>
<p>I think you will be admitted to all the schools, with Swarthmore and Wesleyan being the most iffy. You look like a strong student to me. I want to echo Kolijma though, about Whitman. I don’t have personal experience with the school, but marvel every year at the super talented kids that we know that choose to go there over other bigger names. Whitman has got some kind of mojo. It seems to me to be worth a second look.</p>
<p>Why didn’t you apply to Reed? If you don’t mind me asking.</p>
<p>I decided not to apply to reed because of its social atmosphere. The academics are amazing but I couldn’t see myself spending four years there at all. There nothing wrong with it except it just isn’t the right fit for me. </p>
<p>Anyone know who usually gives the best aid out of this list of schools?</p>