Chance me, bitte (please)!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Grinnell College
1

<p>Year: Senior
Difficulty of HS: Very high. Rated the top public high school in Wisconsin. Currently, one needs over about a 3.85 to be in the top ten percent.</p>

<p>Numbers:
SAT: 670 Math 720 Reading 800 Writing
ACT composite: 31 w/ 11 on the writing supplement
APs: AP US History (5), AP US Government (5), AP Microeconomics (4), AP Macroeconomics (5).
SAT II: 800 US History</p>

<p>GPA (unweighted): 3.85
Class rank: 40/360 (just out of the top ten percent)
Grades description: Vast majority straight As. A few B+s and A-s here and there, but not more than three times in core subjects. One C+ in the first semester of Freshman year. My grades had a fairly strong upward trend through HS.
Courses: Honors and AP in all core subjects with math as the exception. French as a foreign language for 3 years (yes, Rotary is fairly random in where it sends people =p).</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
2 seasons of XC, 1 of track, one season of forensics
Various clubs (mostly of a political bend)
<em>Currently on Rotary Youth Exchange for a year in Germany</em> (hopefully a plus)
Volunteered for the Obama campaign for about 6 hours a week during the election.
Involved in a student volunteering organization, but never held a position with the group.</p>

<p>Awards:
Nominated for National Council of Teachers of English Award (one of three in a class of 360). <em>The award will probably still be pending when I send my application</em>.
AP Scholar.
One of two students to be awarded highest score possible on the district writing prompt BOTH freshman and junior year.</p>

<p>I'm a little limited financially, so most other LACs were out of the question due to the cost, but we had heard Grinnell can be more generous.</p>

<p>I would also like suggestions on where else I might apply, since I recently threw a 3 schools off a list of six. Keep in mind that financial aide is a big factor for me. Other schools: University of Wisconsin: Madison, University of Chicago (might need to rob banks if I get in though).</p>

<p>Also, I'm thinking I might apply early decision to Grinnell, but I'm worried about getting caught financially if my aide package isn't enough. Is financial aide a good reason to take ED I off the table even if I otherwise would?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>I think you look like a strong candidate-and the year abroad should be a plus. </p>

<p>Re financial aid, we contacted Grinnel’s Financial Aid office to ask if applying ED vs. Regular Decision would have an impact on the amount of merit aid (not financial aid-we didn’t qualify) awarded. They said they would make the same offer in either case because they don’t want students not applying ED if merit aid is the only issue. That said, we know another student who was accepted off the waitlist to Grinnell and to another comparable school the same week. Her financial aid offer (merit and need) from Grinnell was not as generous as from the other school. She faxed Grinnell her other offer and they modified their package so that she was able to attend. So having more than one offer clearly gives you leverage. </p>

<p>My understanding is that if the ED school meets ‘demonstrated need,’ you are expected to accept the offer-if not, then you can turn it down with impunity. This is not gospel however-you should definitely contact Grinnell directly to ask about their policy. No one would hold questions like this against you.</p>

3

<p>I think you look like a strong candidate too. Remember that demonstrated need may mean one thing to your parents and another thing to a college.</p>

4

<p>I think Grinnell is a good match school for you and if FAid is not a decisive factor then ED would make is a safer bet. You should not dismiss any other LAC you like just because of finances, some top LAC are also very generous.</p>

5

<p>First of all, thanks for all your wonderful responses!
Even if I do ED-I at Grinnell, I will definitely apply to more schools than just the three. Given the fact that Grinnell impressed me so much, I think the additional schools I apply to will also be LACs.</p>

6

<p>I think you are a pretty strong candidate for admission, but I don’t think you’re a great candidate for lots of merit aid. You’re applying from an area of the country that draws lots of applicants to Grinnell, and your grades, course work, test scores, and extracurriculars are pretty standard fare at the college. I also don’t think your Rotary will count for that all that much.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t recommend applying ED since you’re seeking financial aid and will want to compare awards.</p>

7

<p>Hey! I did a year abroad too! France though, not Germany. Cool.</p>

<p>I think you have a really good chance.</p>