<p>I'm applying to Wellesley through QuestBridge, and I'm really hoping to get in-- it's been my dream school for years. If anyone could offer opinions/chance me, I would be grateful!</p>
<p>GPA: 3.9 (4.2 weighted)
SAT: 1870 composite (retaking later this month)
SATII: 760 US History, 740 World History, 650 Biology M
ACT: not taking
APs: World History (5), Lang/Comp (5), US History (5), Biology (4), American Government, Comparative Government, Lit/Comp, Physics 1, Calculus AB (AP Scholar with Honors as of last year)</p>
<p>I'm the daughter of a Japanese immigrant, and my parents are divorced (my father was alcoholic and is now homeless; we've had lots of financial trouble because he doesn't provide child support). I have a strong interest in my Japanese heritage, and have taken Japanese courses even though classes are not offered at my school. </p>
<p>I've been involved with music for over 8 years, in school and in the community. I've been section leader in my jazz band and concert band, as well as drum major in marching band. I also volunteer with our local philharmonic orchestra, and have been in several honor ensembles.
Don't really have much leadership other than music, but I do have more volunteer work in the community. </p>
<p>I know Wellesley is definitely a reach for me, and I don't really think I can get in...But does anyone have some tips/suggestions to boost my chances of being accepted? Many thanks!</p>
<p>You probably know that no one on CC is really qualified to chance you unless there happens to be an admissions committee member from Wellesley here, but I’ll give it a shot, based on what I know. And what I know–or rather who I know–is the interesting and accomplished Wellesley students who are my daughter’s friends. We live near the school, so she brings a lot of people home on the holidays. We had 6 of them over Easter alone.</p>
<p>Wellesley is a reach for you because of your SAT, but I think your GPA is in the range they look for. And your depth in music will definitely help, as will your Questbridge status. You should definitely–and I cannot stress this enough–definitely do a music supplement in addition to the Wellesley supplement. They really do listen to/look at the arts supplements and this might be just the thing to push you over the edge. So have someone record you playing your instrument and send in the clip.</p>
<p>You should also write a killer essay, working in some of the details of your childhood, if you can do so without sounding self-pitying. Financial hardship is a common story, but it doesn’t have to sound boring. You want to come across as a victor, not a victim and I think you can do this. Do retake that SAT, studying the areas you can actually study–math and vocab come to mind. Getting your score over 2000 would help, but don’t give up if you can’t!</p>
<p>@Massmomm Thank you so much! I’ll definitely work on raising my SAT score (I’m retaking it next week, and I may take the ACT later this year), and I’ll look into sending in a music supplement!
I don’t think Wellesley requires the Common App for Qustbridge applicants (they just look at QB applications), but I’ll see if I can find a way to send them a recording. Later in the month, I’m scheduled for an interview with an alumnae, so I’ll talk to her about that too.
I put a lot of work into my QB essay, so hopefully it’ll stand out!</p>
<p>Thank you again for all of the advice! I really appreciate it! </p>