Intended Major(s): Computer Science (+ graphic design/visual communications/marketing, if possible)
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0 (will probably marginally drop after this quarter)
Weighted HS GPA: School doesn’t weigh
Class Rank: School doesn’t rank
ACT/SAT Scores: 1540 SAT (780M/760RW)
Coursework:
APUSH (5), BC Calc, AP Lit, AP Bio, AP Art
APCSA self-study (5)
All honors otherwise
Awards
Doodle for Google State Winner
Technovation National Semifinalist (2020, 2021, 2022)
Scholastic Art Awards – Silver key x2, Honorable Mention x2
Published artist in an art book
National Commended Scholar
Extracurriculars
Content Manager for FRC robotics team: Oversee graphics, marketing, publicity (print/digital media) like ads, STEAM flyers, social media, sponsor updates, blog; lead website redesign/coding
Technovation Project Lead: Lead team of 4 in creating yearly apps aimed at societal issues; main coder & designer; aid research, business plan, pitch video
Head Student Leader for local environmental NPO: Organize monthly trash cleanups w/ 20+ members; lead student leadership team; design merchandise; work w/ PTSO to host school cleanups
Freelance Digital Artist: Sell art commissions and merchandise w/ approx. $4,500 in profit, maintain Instagram & TikTok for artwork w/ 30,000 combined followers
Graphics Manager for school newspaper: illustrate front covers & main article graphics; design ads & digital posts; distribute graphics to artists; assist newspaper layout design
Techonvation Student Ambassador: Encourage girls in CS by introducing Technovation to 3 schools & through online campaign; supported teams throughout comp. season
Clarinetist for school band & wind ensemble: both bands won awards in state music festival; had to quit senior year due to scheduling conflicts (but I still play in a community group)
UI Design & Web Intern at a startup: Worked in team to design user interface & app features; improved & maintained company website; ideated & designed unique app feature
Kode with Klossy web Development & data science summer camps
CS summer program: Python, machine vision & control algorithms
Essays/LORs/Other:
I am a decent writer. Essays should be fine but not crazy
LORs should be OK…? I have a third rec coming from a mentor which should be decently strong
Schools (not including all of them)
Williams ED
Other reach schools: Amherst, Tufts, Brown, Cornell, Boston University
Its very hard to say. Your stats look fine. But Williams has such a small class size, its hard to know what they are looking for. A large portion of the class is filled during ED. I’ve read somewhere that most of the ED admissions are from athletes.
You have an unweighted GPA of 4.0. So are you in the running for valedictorian?
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments in high school! You have a strong profile and will be competitive at nearly any school in the country. You definitely have a shot at Williams, but there are far more qualified candidates than there are spots, and thus there will be highly-qualified candidates without an offer of admission.
If you are deferred (or denied, though I’d have a really hard time picturing that) from Williams ED, make sure you have a safety that is affordable for your family, that you are extremely likely to be accepted to, and that you would be happy to attend.
Has your family run the Net Price Calculator at Williams? Is it affordable for your family? If not, do not ED there.
its actually the third cheapest option for me (first and second belong to Harvard and MIT) so I’m super psyched to ED to Williams!!! Thanks for your advice!
As others have said, you’re certainly a strong candidate for Williams. That said, I’m surprised that it’s your top choice given your interests in CS and graphic design. Have you taken a deep dive into the course catalog to make sure there are enough courses offered each semester that suit your interests? Also, CS is a popular major, and I’ve seen parents complain that their students are getting shut out of classes because they are overenrolled. While Williams may be more highly ranked on USNWR, I’m not sure it’s the best fit for your academic interests.
I would consider Colby, which has beefed up its offerings in CS and data science, and Amherst, which would give you access to classes at UMass, although I don’t know how easy it is to enroll in CS or marketing classes, at least they have a business school.
You should be proud of your record. However, anyone without a ‘hook’ will have an uphill struggle for a spot at a school as competitive as Williams. The early stats are 30%+ acceptance, but, as mentioned above, that includes athletes and legacies, so the relevant number is below that. Your academics are solid, but will not give you a leg up on your competition. Same for you ECs.
You are right to go early. Your chances in the regular pool will decline substantially. In your application, try to focus on talents or qualities that make you unique. Colleges want to fill classes with individuals with ‘spikes’ - special abilities or personal qualities that set them apart, and that suggest success later in college and beyond. Essentially, you need to find your own hook,
Without an approximation of rank and an idea of how your rigor compares to others with a 4.0uw at your school, it is too difficult to chance you. I suggest you ask your counselor your decile rank(top10%?20%?) and go from there. For rigor, how many APs does your school offer? How many per year do the top kids take? It appears you took one as a junior; how many kids took 2? 3? 4? Are the harder AP courses such as Chem, PhysicsC offered? How many take these harder ones every year? Like it or not, you are compared to the pond you are in, assessed if you challenged yourself based on what is offered at your school.
There are schools where close to half the grade takes more APs than you have and schools where the top kids take only 4-5 total. IF your school is the latter type, your chances are much better.
super late reply. the average amount of aps taken at my school is 3-6. I know some people who have taken 7-8 but it is only possible through special circumstances (and I don’t think any of them are applying to Williams.)
Early round was super competitive this year at Williams, article below, have you tried connecting with Williams Comp Sci professors? With your strong record, they may be able to help for regular decision or provide general guidance.