Chance me for these 8 LAC's !!!!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Okay, so I've just finished a wild junior year, and now am preparing for the early decision applications, and very ready to go off to college. I have comprised a list of the 8 best colleges in the world ;) , and would love for you guys to chance me as candidly as possible.</p>

<p>Info: Male
Caucasian
Public High School (Ranked in the top 7% of the country by US News World Report)
Eastern Shore Maryland (the more rural, less opulent area)
Class Size: 257
Top 10%
GPA: UW-3.7916 W-3.9583
This year's GPA:Semester 1, UW-4.0, W-4.0 Semester 2, UW-4.0, W-4.5
AP Classes: US History, Government, English Language, Psychology (Spanish and Literature to come.)</p>

<p>Our school has few AP classes, so I have just about as rigorous of a courseload as I can have. </p>

<p>Test Scores:
SAT- 1890, 11 essay (took once, won't send in.)
ACT- 29 superscore, 11 essay (I am retaking and I guarantee I'll have at least a 30, if not 31.)
SAT II's: Going to take Math II, Chemistry, and Literature soon (will get 750+ on Math II, and 600-650+ on Chem/Lit.)</p>

<p>Sports:
Freshman Year- Varsity Soccer (4th kid in school's history to make varsity as a freshman,) Varsity Tennis
Sophomore Year- Varsity Soccer, Varsity Tennis
Junior Year- Varsity Soccer (Captain,) Varsity Football (Kicker,) Varsity Tennis</p>

<p>Sports Accolades- Sophomore Year- Bob Marley Award (most prestigious award for soccer,) Junior Year- MVP</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society, Student Government Association (Parliamentarian,) Future Business Leaders of America, Class Office (Historian,) Stand for the Silent (Anti-Bullying.)</p>

<p>Honors:</p>

<p>County Level- 2nd place, county wide Anti-Drug use essay
Regional Level- 1st place, FBLA Economics Exam
State Level- 7th place, FBLA Economics Exam
National Level- 1st place, Council of Economic Education's video contest: "What should the next president do to improve the economy?" My insight on education reformation got me 1st place in the nation, which I think is the main hook of my application.</p>

<p>Volunteer Work:
Volunteered to help out during graduation
Volunteered to teach tennis to youth
Volunteered to help with the senior dinner
Many more that I can't think of</p>

<p>Work experience:
Soccer Referee
Tennis Instructor
Will be giving music lessons soon</p>

<p>What I am doing this summer: giving tennis lessons, already attended Boys' State Maryland (won State Comptroller,) and will attend Math Camp at Marlboro College.</p>

<p>Anything Else?
Play on one of the best travel soccer teams in Maryland
Play a ton of instruments
In some classes, I've had prior knowledge so I've taken the final on the first day, passed it, and gained independent studies (where I do stuff like teach myself Spanish.)
Will have great letters of recommendation
I can write a great application essay</p>

<h2>All in all, my school never sends kids to reputable colleges, so I'm sort of the golden boy this year (as sanctimonious as that may sound, I don't mean it that way.)</h2>

<h2>Okay, now onto the Colleges</h2>

<p>I am applying to:</p>

<p>-Claremont McKenna College
-Swarthmore College
-Pitzer College
-Colorado College
-Occidental College
-New College of Florida
-Lawrence University
-St. Johns College (probably Santa Fe campus)</p>

<p>I will be applying ED I to either Pitzer or Claremont McKenna, and then ED II to the other one if that doesn't work out.</p>

<p>I will probably put my original major in as philosophy, but I mostly see myself delving into advanced mathematics and doing some serious game theory one day (that way, I could encompass math, econ, psychology, etc... [all the stuff I love!])</p>

<p>So, chances are appreciated, and if you ask me to chance you back, I will!</p>

<p>Best Regards, Marshall</p>

2

<p>For one, you are obviously a talented and driven student. Your SAT is the weakest point of your application, so for some schools that may be a problem (yes, even for LACs). I think it may be prudent to apply as a math or econ major over philosophy, if you could really see yourself going any direction with it. Remember, you can always change your mind, none of these schools will lock you in to a major. Your chances at all these schools would boost significantly if your SAT got up to a 2100 range, considering that seems to be the type of student you are. If not, I would consider some more test optional LACs like Bodwoin, as your SAT score doesn’t seem to match your potential as a student. I also recommend if you apply ED (assuming you can afford it), that you do so to CMC. The focus there seems to fit you better then pitzer, which is very environmentally focused. </p>

<p>-Claremont McKenna College: Reach (your test scores are holding you back here)
-Swarthmore College: Reach (same SAT problem)
-Pitzer College:High Match/Low Reach, though you seem to be a better fit for CMC
-Colorado College: High Match/Low Reach
-Occidental College: Match
-St. Johns College (probably Santa Fe campus): Safety, good that it’s test optional for you</p>

3

<p>-Claremont McKenna College: Reach
-Swarthmore College: Reach
-Pitzer College: Reach
-Colorado College: High Match
-Occidental College: Match
-New College of Florida: Low Match
-St. Johns College (probably Santa Fe campus): Safety</p>

<p>Try to make your ACT retake a 31+ and I think you’ll be golden for Colorado, and have a nice shot at Pitzer.</p>

4

<p>-Claremont McKenna College: Reach
-Swarthmore College: Reach
-Pitzer College: Lower reach
-Colorado College: high match
-Occidental College: high match/match
-New College of Florida: low match/safety
-Lawrence University: match
-St. Johns College: low match/safety since they don’t require tests</p>

<p>I think that with higher test scores, you’d be a good candidate even for the reach schools. You have great success in sports and have definitely shown dedication to soccer, as well as other ECs. At this point, work on your SATs/ACTs and write a killer essay! Good luck :)</p>

5

<p>Thanks guys :slight_smile: </p>

<p>And yes, I’ve put sort of a de-emphasis on test scores because I don’t really advocate the use of them. However, I guess I have to “play the game,” so to speak. I guess I’ll just study, hit a 31/2100, and then apply.</p>

6

<p>Your GPA is comparatively a bit low, but it’s not horrible. It won’t really hurt you.</p>

<p>SAT/ACT is a bit above average, but not that great. It might reduce your chances at the more selective schools.</p>

<p>Your sports accolades are really impressive. I think you should apply to some schools, maybe ivies, possible duke, that really care about their sports teams because that’s a hook for you.</p>

<p>-Claremont McKenna College - Reach
-Swarthmore College - Reach
-Pitzer College - High Match
-Colorado College - High Match
-Occidental College - Match</p>

<p>Sorry, idk that much about LACs but that’s what i have.</p>

7

<p>I exactly agree with the rankings from disco1976, but neuromajor is right also: you seem talented. Your scores are a bit weak though, so just get a 30+ ACT and write essays that are HEAVILY emphasized on your ECs. Remember to stay interesting and don’t write average essays on volunteering. Of course, writing essays on volunteering is fine (IF ITS NOT BORING LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER ESSAYS ON IT), but make sure that it is reflective of yourself. Words are powerful things. Prove to them that you’re a stellar student.</p>

<p>Good luck, and I hope you get into your dream school!</p>

8

<p>Swarthmore, CMC and Pitzer were among the five LACs with lowest acceptance rates last year (Amherst and Pomona rounding out the group). This year it looks like Bowdoin edged out Pitzer for the #5 spot, bumping it down to #6. I think CMC might end up as #1 or #2 on that list this year. Pitzer would be a good choice because you would not need to submit scores. It also has a much higher acceptance rate for ED, but I do not think it has ED2. At Pitzer you could take classes, even major, at CMC.</p>

<p>I am afraid anyone putting Pitzer at “high match” for you is going on old info.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

9

<p>@Jonathan443322</p>

<p>I do think that people tend to operate on statistics of “the old Pitzer” rather than the one that accepts like 15% of applicants today. Just a few years back, it had a 75% acceptance rate. Now, it seems near impossible to get in. The reason I’m applying to so many test optional schools (Pitzer, Lawrence, St. John’s) is because no matter what score I get (whether a 21 or a 36,) I won’t report my score unless the school makes me. I’m a big advocate of de-emphasized standardized test scores, which is why I didn’t copiously study for the tests. The average at Swarthmore is 33, average at CMC is 31. I’ll just suck it up, study, hit a 31, and then be either average or above average at all the schools except for Swarthmore (I probably couldn’t hit a 33 if I tried.)</p>

<p>Thanks for the chances guys. I’ve visited 5 of the schools (all but New College, Occidental, and Colorado College,) and will still definitely apply to all 8, but will anticipate Lawrence or St. John’s, and use the other 6 as hopefuls.</p>

<p>And @nihilus, that’s flattering, but I am not a fan of the Ivies, or Duke, and I think I’d be rejected from all of them.</p>

10

<p>I’d say most of them are matches except for Claremont and Swathmore
Just improve those SATs, and you’ll be good, because your ECs are awesome</p>

11

<p>What did you do for the education reform video…What did you advocate? I think that’s a really major hook! It could totally explain your test scores! Although it’s dangerous, but a nice and insightful essay could be you getting your test scores and explaining why tests don’t suit every student, and how they should be improved. (well, it is really dangerous to write this…)</p>

<p>Your anti-bullying also seems to be quite nice. Touch on that in your essay to link things together if possible.</p>

<p>Improve on your SATs/ACTs if possible, and if you have the time. If it is required, take SAT Subject tests.</p>

<p>I can really see WHY you are pursuing philosophy. Your ECs seem to show that you have a high level of abstract reasoning, which in this case, I would definitely think that the universities would understand why you would pursue pure math or applied math.</p>

<p>You are one of the rarer applicant personality that universities want, but I’m basing this on intuition. Now your SATs and ACTs may hurt you if they require all test scores, but that at most show that you are careless or cannot handle time stress. All your other ECs show that you have concern for the society, high level of abstract reasoning. You may be judged as someone who don’t readily comprehend text if they go into deeper details.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

12

<p>OK, so here goes the main gripe: your test scores are holding you back a bit. I’m sure everyone posting on here would agree with me when I say that your GPA and rigor are fine within your personal context. I personally find the ACT easier than the SAT, and since you scored an 11 on the essay, you seem to have potential for growth on the ACT.</p>

<p>So I’ll make a drastic prediction: St John’s, Lawrence, and New College of Florida are all safeties. I firmly believe that you will get into all of them easily.</p>

<p>I don’t really believe Colorado College to be as difficult to get into as people make it out to be. I think you have a decent shot there, you’re definitely in if you apply ED.</p>

<p>Occidental College is a good match for you, but it’s a little trickier. If you got your SAT above 2100 or ACT above 32, then I’d say it’s a match. Otherwise, it’s a low reach.</p>

<p>Pitzer and Claremont McKenna are fairly similar in their profiles. Get those scores above a 32, and you have a shot. However, they’re much harder to get into than Occidental, so I’d only call them a high match with the test score boost. Otherwise, they’re both reaches, but NOT out of reach.</p>

<p>And Swarthmore, buddy, is a crapshoot. They weight heavily on test scores, and much less on extracurricular activities. If you get the ACT to a 34 or higher, then you have a shot at getting in. 32-33 will make Swarthmore a reach. If you can hit that number, then you’re in the running, but unfortunately, speaking candidly from experience, if you can’t make it to that test score level, Swarthmore will be out of reach. I don’t want to discourage you because I believe you CAN hit that level, but it takes practice and training.</p>

<p>Of course, all of this could be wrong if you write killer essays, which, given your 11, seems much more likely than not.</p>

13

<p>Thanks guys! </p>

<p>@skyrior, I do believe that the video is my main hook. I mean, not every kid has placed in competitions at the county, regional, state, and national level (and 1st place in the national and regional competitions.) The contest involved planning an educational reformation system which would, in turn, greatly improve the economy. I talked about turning high schools into miniature liberal arts systems (the first year and a half is requirements, the second year and a half is experimentation in all types of fields, and the last year gives students a chance to specialize in their favorite field of study.) It’s a lot more complex and cogent in its entirety, but it’s all about advocation of liberal arts curricula, which I think the 8 schools I’m applying to will think highly of. And yes, I spend a lot of time pondering and doing deep thinking, and think that philosophy, mostly existentialism and metaphysics, is my niche (although for an advanced degree, I know that philosophy is out of the question, unless of course I want to be a professor.)</p>

<p>@movieman706, I know that the test scores don’t seem to match the rest of the application, which is where I am a bit annoyed. I guess I’ll buckle down and study, and I’m sure I could hit a 31. However, even if I don’t do as well, I still want to do a Claremont Consortium school for my ED, because I love it there so much (my Aunt went to Colorado College, so it’ll probably be easier for me to get accepted regular decision.) If I had perfect scores and the best accolades in the country, CMC would still be my #1 school.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help guys!</p>

14

<p>just make sure the schools superscore the ACT first! i know a lot don’t (even though i wish they did!)</p>

<p>you seem very involved in your activities though and you have quite a lot of them. </p>

<p>i think you have a solid chance for all of them, but new college and especially swarthmore should be considered reaches (def within reach though). if you can get your ACT to a 31 you’ll be golden for both of these schools though :slight_smile: good luck!</p>

<p>and for the record, i have friends starting at new college this year haha</p>

15

<p>-Claremont McKenna College- Reach
-Swarthmore College- Reach
-Pitzer College- Match
-Colorado College- Match
-Occidental College- Low Match
-New College of Florida- Safety
-Lawrence University- Safety
-St. Johns College- Safety</p>

<p>If you can bring your test scores up, you’ll be all set!</p>

16

<p>Would you guys recommend dropping Swarthmore for another New England LAC (maybe a Bucknell, Franklin & Marshall, or a Colgate?) I really trust movieman706’s judgment here that a 34+ would be a good score for Swarthmore. Frankly, I think I’m a smart kid, but I don’t have the time to prep my way to a 34… I just don’t. I’ll hit a 31, probably. For Swat, a 31 just wouldn’t cut it (as they rely heavily on standardized test scores.) However, I think a 31 would be acceptable at other New England LAC’s (like the aforementioned ones.) I’m really not sure… what do you guys think?</p>

17

<p>I’m not too familiar with these LACs, but here’s my opinion:
-Claremont McKenna College: Reach
-Swarthmore College: Reach
-Pitzer College: Low reach
-Colorado College: Match
-Occidental College: Match
-New College of Florida: Safety
-Lawrence University: Match
-St. Johns College: Safety</p>

18

<p>-Claremont McKenna College: Reach</p>

<p>-Swarthmore College: Reach</p>

<p>-Pitzer College: Lower reach</p>

<p>-Colorado College: high match</p>

<p>-Occidental College: high match</p>

<p>-New College of Florida: safety</p>

<p>-Lawrence University: match</p>

<p>-St. Johns College: low match</p>

<p>Chance back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=1524990[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=1524990&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;