Chance me for Vassar and Oberlin?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a high school junior and I visited the both schools this past weekend... needless to say I'm a little in love with both.</p>

<p>I'm a white female from NJ, probably not applying for much financial aid.</p>

<p>I want to major in Women's/Gender/Sexuality Studies (it has different names at every school). I've been very passionate about equal rights for years and I think that will come across in my application.</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA of 3.86, weighted is about 4.7.</p>

<p>Ranked 45th out of about 750 (top 6% or 7%)</p>

<p>ACT composite score of 31. Superscored is a 32, and I know Vassar superscores, but Oberlin does not.</p>

<p>I took the SAT as well but my score doesn't even compare with my ACT score so I won't be submitting it.</p>

<p>Freshman Year courses:
English I Honors A
Algebra I Honors B+
World History A
Integrated Science A
Spanish I A+
Personal Finance/Civics A+
Speech and Drama I A+
Gym/Health A+</p>

<p>Sophomore Year courses:
English II Honors A
Geometry Honors B
US History I Honors A
Biology Honors A
Spanish II A+
Social Groups and Law A+
TV Production I A
Gym/Health A+</p>

<p>Junior Year courses:
English III A
Algebra II Honors A-
US History II Honors A+
Chemistry Honors A+
Spanish III A
TV Production II A
Sociology A+
Gym/Health A+</p>

<p>Senior year I'm planning to take: AP Literature, AP European History, AP Art History, Physics Honors, Pre-Calc Honors, Concious of Man (academically-based elective that counts as a history course); and hopefully I'll get into my school's Peer Leadership program, but if not then I'm planning to take Psychology (maybe AP, not sure).</p>

<p>ECs: President of the Gay-Straight Alliance at my school, volunteer at my local Pride Center, Rotary Interact (lots of community service hours with them for many different things), Red Cross, Club Hope, Class Council, History NHS, Science NHS, English NHS, guitar lessons outside of school since before freshman year, community service at various places (pride center, hospital, old age home, etc) and with various clubs listed above. I babysit neighborhood kids, take care of my baby cousin quiet often and for a generous amount of time, tutor my younger sister occasionally, write poetry in my spare time and run my own poetry blog, go on yearly trips all over the US, and some other things I can't think of right now.</p>

<p>Honors: Nothing huge, but I've made the academics high honor/honor roll every marking period since freshman year. I'm also in the 3 NHSs listed above.</p>

<p>I should get very good recommendations from certain teachers that I've established a more personal teacher-student relationship with (my History/Sociology teacher, the teacher that's the adviser of the Gay-Straight Alliance, my Algebra teacher, guitar teacher, etc)</p>

<p>My essay should also be pretty damn good. I feel extremely confident with my writing and that's definitely my strongest point academically. I also have a plethora of topics I could easily write about.</p>

<p>So how am I doing? What do you think?</p>

2

<p>Match for Oberlin, reach for Vassar.
Problem is that your ECs are not memorable and your class performance and your ACT doesn’t really align. You’re at the top of your class with a very so-so ACT score. That could be a red flag that your HS is not all that challenging.</p>

3

<p>@soze‌ I wouldn’t exactly call a 32 very so-so… that’s a 2100 SAT-wise, which I have never heard anyone refer to as “so-so,” unless they were applying to Harvard. 32 also falls into the middle 50% at Vassar (30-33). Also, how exactly are my ECs not memorable? I’m aware that I didn’t cure cancer or start my own non-profit, but I made the most of the opportunities that my school and community have offered me. I didn’t choose where I got to grow up, unfortunately.
I’m not trying to come off as defensive, I’d just like a little clarification on your criticisms.</p>

4

<p>32 is pretty good for Oberlin and right down the middle for Vassar, that’ s what makes it so-so.
As far as your ECs go, it’s mostly just stuff you show up for or sign-up for.
You didn’t win anything or show leadership where you had to excel above others, that’s the sort of ECs that really stand out.</p>

<p>I’m quite sure you’ll get into Oberlin. Vassar is pretty tough for almost anybody, but it’ sa reasonable reach for you.</p>

5

<p>@soze‌ isn’t being president of the GSA leadership? I plan to talk more about that in my application, because I kind of built it back up from the ground. While I didn’t start it, I kind of “re-started” it. The amount of leadership and dedication I’ve put into running it is insane and I know I’ve don’t a ton of work in order for it to work out, especially in a school where acceptance is not abundant. (Again, not trying to be defensive, I just want to know where I stand.)</p>

6

<p>@soze‌ also if I get accepted into my school’s Peer Leadership program, that will also be a huge leadership role I’d be taking on</p>

7

<p>I am actually a student at oberlin high school who takes classes at Oberlin college :slight_smile: I think you have a very solid chance of admission.</p>