hi! I’m wondering if anyone can chance me for:
Wellesley and Vassar (ED)
Barnard and Smith (RD)
GPA: 3.9 UW, 4.1 W
SAT 1440 (740 English / 700 Math–might take one more time)
senior year course load: AP World History, AP English, AP Latin, Physics, Trigonometry/Precalc, AP Art
ECs:
-Mock trial (3 years w/ awards)
-Graphic design (4 years)
-Founder/president of largest academic club at school (2 years)
-Workshop leader/fundraiser at local nonprofit homeless shelter (4 years)
-Founded branch of nonprofit where I teach a class to middle schoolers (the discipline is also my intended major) (1.5 years)
-Founder/Main Editor of online literary publication (2 years)
-Study abroad (3 summers)
-Museum administrative intern (1 summer)
You can apply to two schools ED, because many (not all) schools have two rounds of ED.
This means that you can:
apply to School A in the ED1 round, and
if rejected by School A, then apply to School B in the ED2 round.
Wellesley and Vassar both have ED1 and ED2 options. So the OP could, in theory, apply to both schools ED if it played out that way. My impression is that lots of students pick two ED schools for this scenario.
My daughter got 1450 SAT, 3.85uw, 4.25W and 8 ap’s, including AP cal as a junior. Many EC’s, but needed financial aid. She got rejected Vassar and waitlisted at Smith. Weather you need financial aid does matter at Smith, more than they lead you to believe IMHO. She is more than happy at Mount Holyoke after just 2 weeks. They are all great schools, best of luck.
I can’t speak to Barnard or Smith but I was accepted this year to Wellesley and Vassar and can share my sats\application strengths\weaknesses and some advice having attending their accepted students weekends.
For academics and stats:
unweighted gpa of 3.9
composite ACT of 32
academic background was in a homeschooled classics program and I took two years at the local community college in high level science and math courses
as far as ec’s:
was MVP and captain of multiple volleyball teams
had 15 years of violin and was concert master of the local orchestra
I competed in debate and coached debate for two years
scuba certified
spent much of high school traveling internationally
Interned for a major nonprofit
For strengths my application emphasized a unique background in humanities with courses like Rhetoric, Philosophy, and Logic and confirmed the rigor of my program in AP English and government 5s. I also think my international experience and global view definitely helped. My essays were incredibly strong and my letters of rec were written by professors who really knew me. As far as weaknesses, my standardized test scores could have been stronger, especially as a homeschooler and my application lacked spectacular awards or a particularly unique experience or interest.
My overall guidance would be just to apply to schools that feel right for you and court them heavily. For Wellesley I kept contact the whole way though the application process. In addition, focus on your essays a lot, make sure you paint a cohesive narrative of who you are and your aspirations, and remember to make sure your application feels like your voice.
Have you made a decision?