Chance me for liberal arts schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm applying to a relatively large group of colleges, and I'm not entirely sure on where I stand with some of the schools. A couple of them are state schools or schools that how low entrance requirements (ex. 2.5 minimum GPA) or high acceptance rates (ex. 96% acceptance rating), but I'm also applying to some of the elite liberal arts schools in the country. I've looked up the average stats for all these schools but I don't want to make any assumptions, so I'm wondering if I can get some chances for the following schools:
- Reed College
- Middlebury College
- Colorado College
- Carleton College
- University of Puget Sound</p>

<p>Basic info:
Gender: Female
Race: Caucasian
Location: Oregon
School Type: One of the top public high schools in the area, but a public high school nonetheless.
Intended major: I'm unbelievably undecided, but have interest in Journalism, Theater, Environmental Studies or Science, and Film.</p>

<p>School stats:
GPA: 3.73 UW, 3.86 W (Grades are on an upward slope this year and taking APs, so GPA should go up.)
Class rank: Unfortunately, I don't have an exact class rank but I'm in the top 20% of my class.</p>

<p>Test scores:
SAT: I had a miserable time taking my SAT, hated the test, and my score reflects it. I will not be reporting my SAT scores.
ACT: Highest composite is 30. Superscored, my stats are as follows: English - 36, Math - 27, Reading - 33, Math - 27, and Writing - 9.</p>

<p>AP Scores:
- U.S. History - 4
- Psychology - 3 (I was incredibly sick during the actual test and had a mediocre teacher for this course)
- English Literature and Composition - Will be taking this year, but teacher says he expects a 5 from me. </p>

<p>Awards:
- 4 year Academic Letter Winner
- 3 year Theater Letter Winner
- Induction into International Thespian Society
- National Merit Commendation</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
- 4 year band member where I'm a first chair tuba player. Co-founder and leader of Band Council. Our band placed 4th in state last year. 4 year Tuba Christmas participant.
- Heavily involved in our school's drama department. Been on tech for two different shows, including heading up the pit orchestra, and have been cast in five different shows and a one act. One play and an a capella rock opera (two of the shows) were original works/world premieres and I am listed as an original cast member. Director for Advanced Acting class my Junior year and will be directing another one act in spring. Inducted to our school's thespian society and inducted to International Thespian Society.
- 3 year member of Students for Environmental Action (SEA), my school's environmental club. No official title of leadership position, but definitely a leader of the group. We tend to our school's organic garden, lead bottle/can collection movement at our school and have bottle clean-ups to recycle everything, and organize all school grounds clean-ups.
- 2 years of high school soccer (played since kindergarten)
- 1 year of high school lacrosse (played since 7th grade)
- 1 year of high school swimming (summer swim team member as well)</p>

<p>Volunteer work:
- Worked as an unpaid intern every summer since I was thirteen at an arts camp downtown. Very near and dear to my heart, as I went to the camp as a child.
- 4 year school registration volunteer
- Meals-on-Wheels deliver during the holiday season
- Regular blood donor (Thank you Red Cross for the suggestion)</p>

<p>Work:
- Sporadic work at a family friend's clothing boutique. Worked as a personal assistant to a Project Runway winning designer (Seth Aaron Henderson) at the boutique.
- Occasional catering for aunt and family friend's parties
- Regular house and pet sitter</p>

<p>Recommendations:
- Pre-calculus teacher: Slightly unsure about how this letter will go, but the teacher loved me, so hopefully it'll be good.
- Chemistry/Advanced Chemistry teacher: My absolute favorite teacher, head of Students for Environmental Action, adores me. Should be a very good letter.
- AP English teacher: Published writer, Yale alumni, and overall very intelligent man. Likes me, although I've only known him for a semester. Should be very well-written.
- Acting/Directing teacher: Very close to this teacher, father-like figure and also would consider a friend, have worked closely with in the classroom and on extracurricular projects. Knows me very well and should have good things to say.
- Counselor: We've had our difficulties, but she's a good writer and would never let personal issues get in the way of writing me an excellent letter.
Additional rec:
- Letter from the director of the summer camp I work at/choreographer from one of the musicals I've been in. She's known me since I was six, knows my character very well, adores me, and is a Reed alumni.
- Letter from the director/writer of two plays (both world premieres were his) and the a capella rock opera I was in. Also taught two playwriting courses I took. Very close friend, a man I hold in highest esteem, someone who knows me well, and very influential in the Portland theater world.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for taking the time to look over this!</p>

2

<p>I didn’t want to have to do this, but… Bump.</p>

3

<p>Carleton and Middlebury are reaches for everyone and Reed is going to be a low reach for you, just because of your test scores. I think you’ll get into Colorado and you’ll definitely get into UPS. Your grades and tests scores aren’t spectacular, but from what I can tell here, you’re very passionate about your extracurriculars.</p>

4

<p>Thanks so much for an answer. I’m slightly concerned about Carleton and Middlebury, but for the exact reason you stated: they’re reaches for most people. My test score isn’t great, but I figure it could be a lot worse, and I feel basically the same about my grades. I guess I’m slightly surprised that you think I have a better chance of getting into Colorado than Reed, but that’s definitely good to know. Again, thank you.</p>

5

<p>Your biggest issue is rank. Look at the common data sets to see what percentage at each school was not in the top 10% of their high school class. If it’s under 15%, the school is too big of a reach.</p>

6

<p>Also good advice. I started looking into that - and will continue to. It’s a bit hard to find some of the stats on their websites, harder than you’d think at least, but I’m sure I can figure it out.</p>

7

<p>Some stats can be found at collegeboard.com!</p>

<p>Also I would say throw another AP in there if you can, as the rigor of your course-load might be considered low. Luck!</p>

8

<p>I’ll definitely check out collegeboard.com. I often forget how much good college info they have on there, aside from testing options. I was signed up to take our Advanced Biology course this year, which prepares students for the AP Biology test, but it was a single period class and didn’t fit into my schedule. Would self-studying for an AP be a good idea, and if so, can you recommend any that are better for self-studying?</p>

9

<p>One thing to keep in mind when applying to liberal arts colleges is most of these schools (unlike larger universities) really take time to look at all factors, especially letters of recommendation and your college essays. While class rank plays a role, I wouldn’t worry too much about that. For instance, my S is in the top 25th of his HS class, but is in the top 5% in the state of CA. We live in an insanely competitive area (Silicon Valley), and the students at his public HS are some of the most competitive in the country. He was just accepted at CC through ED, and his test scores and GPA are right in line with yours. Another thing I feel really helped his chances is he applied ED and really showed why CC was the perfect fit for him. Go for it!</p>

10

<p>You sound like a person who is beyond standardized test scores. I would be sure to use the essay as a great opportunity to showcase your talents and your identity. Love the fact that you’re a tuba player, an athlete, and part of drama. I think you have a good chance. Nice ACT English score by the way.</p>

11

<p>Okay, I’m feeling slightly more reassured now. Obviously, I don’t want to be lulled into a false sense of security about getting into some of my top schools, but I do forget sometimes that not everything is simply about test scores and grades. I am incredibly devoted to the few extracurriculars and volunteering positions I have, I’m an excellent writer (or so I’ve been told) so my essays should be good, and my teachers all have seemed to like me fairly well, so I’d like to think I have a fairly well-rounded application. Thanks for taking the time to answer and addressing some things no one else had yet.</p>

12

<p>Take some of these comments with a big grain of salt. There’s a reason these schools have students with similar GPAs and scores year over year, stats matter.</p>

13

<p>I trust your judgment about stats and scores, as you’re right, there’s a reason that certain scores and GPAs show up regularly at schools. I also agree that there’s more to it than that though - that having extracurriculars, good letters of recommendation, and a strong essay will help.</p>

14

<p>I would suggest researching a few more liberal arts schools that might be a little less competitive than Middlebury and Carleton but very similar… all great schools. Hamilton, Colby, Bates, Vassar, Connecticut College, Trinity, Macalester, Kenyon, Grinell. Have you considered any of these? I think some are test optional and some are free to apply to.
Good luck!</p>

15

<p>Hohum, thanks for the suggestion. I looked into most of those schools and didn’t find myself particularly drawn to them, unfortunately. I see Carleton and Middlebury as the best choices for me, despite knowing they’re hard to get into. Luckily, I do have some good safety, and even reach, schools to apply to.</p>

16

<p>I would only recommend self-studying for an AP if it is a subject you are consistently interested in & have a strong sense of self-discipline. If you pull it off, I think it can look very good to admissions for a variety of reasons. I’m sure there’s threads on here to help you make that choice!</p>

17

<p>I took Advanced Chem at my school last year, but didn’t end up taking the AP Chemistry test. My sister in that class this year, so I’m thinking with all my previous knowledge and the Princeton Review guide, it might be worth trying?</p>