Chance me for LACs as a junior

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m applying to 15 colleges in all, 5 of which are larger universities, but applying to 10 liberal arts colleges: Wesleyan (probably ED), Vassar, Amherst, Haverford, Macalester, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Grinnell, Williams, Kenyon

Stats:
White male, rural setting, medium income
Private International school
Interests in English, history, and theater
GPA thus far: 3.95 weighted, 3.83 unweighted – on track to have an unweighted 4.0 both semesters of junior year
33 ACT
Full IB Diploma student
Applying to National Honor Society and will know results by the end of the academic year
Chinese III & IV Awards
Starred in two school shows and one opera
Member of String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Chamber Choir, Mass Band
Tutor in school’s writing center
Editor of and twice published in school’s literary magazine
Varsity tennis and knowledge bowl member – advanced to regional KB meet but was canceled due to COVID-19
1st & 3rd place in two years at school talent show
Will be next year’s co-president of Writing Club
Member of school newspaper
250 hours of working at local movie theater
Applying to 3 creative writing summer programs, which will probably be canceled due to COVID-19

I’m hoping that my rural background, emphasis on creativity, and the general lack of males interested in humanities will help push my application.

2

those schools are reaches for anyone…probably have a good chance at Kenyon and Grinnell. ED will help. You might get into all of them, but I just wouldn’t get your hopes up. Amherst and Williams, Swarthmore, and Bowdoin are particularly tough. But I like that you cast a wide net and I like your chances at getting into some of them at least.

3

You are an outstanding candidate. I think that any of these schools could add you to their college based on your accomplishments so far. As you know though, there are only a certain number of seats, so polish up those essays-the supplemental especially and choose your letters of rec wisely.

I don’t believe that some of the schools you are considering suffer from “lack of males interested in humanities” as they are highly competitive and the application and acceptance rates prove it is tough for everyone when you dig the data. Make sure you research each school and if it is a good fit for you, convey that. Reach out to AO’s, watch their live webinars. I wish you the best and go Amherst!