Chance me - Graduating Senior From Long Island aiming for Oberlin

Chance Me / Match Me!
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I am primarily interested in my chances of getting into Oberlin College. It is my favorite school, but I am very unsure if I will get in or get enough aid.

Demographics:

  • US Citizen
  • Long Island, New York
  • Public High School
  • Non-binary
  • Queer
  • White
  • Diagnosed with ADHD, Bipolar, panic disorder, all of which have affected my grades and school experience which I included in my application

Intended major: Creative Writing

GPA Weighted: 3.4/89.6
Rank: 172/406
SAT/ACT: Test-Optional

Coursework: AP Seminar (3/5), AP Language and Comp. (4/5), AP Psych (will take test in May), AP Literature and Comp (will take test in May), three years of creative writing, one year of Creative Writing Independent Study (this course is a one-on-one course with an arts teacher that has to be approved by the school), American Sign Language for four years (two in middle school, two in high school), pre-AP world history.

Awards:

  • 2021 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: one Gold Key, one Silvery Key, three honorable mentions. I did not win a national award for my Gold Key (but was judged nationally in consideration.)
  • 2022 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: one Gold Key, one Silver Key, two honorable mentions (my Gold Key is being considered for a national award right now, but I will not hear back until March 23rd, after Oberlin decisions on March 19th)

Extracurriculars:

  • Worked outside of school on writing both independently and with teachers (this is where the majority of my time went…applying to YoungArts, Scholarships, Scholastic, etc.)
  • Worked independently with other writers in my school AND outside of school, critiquing their work, mentoring, reading, and generally helping. I did this in creative writing class and outside of school. I am basically an intern/mentor to my fellow students.
  • Journalism club for four years and wrote for my school newspaper
  • Selected in a small group of students to be in the school musical in 10th grade
  • “Class of 2022 club” participated in fundraising and school spirit (painted banners for homecoming)
  • ASL Honors Society for four years
  • National English Honors society for one year (current senior year)
  • Badminton club
  • Worked with my dad for a year at his small business
  • Donated dog toys, blankets, food, etc. to local animal shelters
  • Collected plastic recyclable water bottles and donated funds to Ronald McDonald House
  • Published in a very small magazine called The Young Writers’ Initiative
  • Shoveled every year for my elderly neighbors
  • Worked with a church to organize donated goods
  • Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference 2021 (selective)
  • Adelphi Alice Hoffman Young Writers Retreat (not selective)

Essay: very strong
Portfolio/Art Supplement: strong
LORs: VERY strong. I got a published author and Tufts professor to write me a letter as he was my pre-college teacher at Sewanee, and I got a letter from my closest Creative Writing teacher

Cost Constraints / Budget: I need aid and scholarships. I will not be able to go to Oberlin if I do not get some aid and merit. For reference, my parents want me to go to a SUNY or CUNY for budget reasons. My mother says around $5,000 for yearly contribution.

Net Price Calculator for Oberlin said:

  • $8,300 for Parent and Student Contribution
  • $63,000 need-based scholarship

Other Schools:

  • Accepted to: Susquehanna, SUNY Purchase, Manhattanville, CUNY Brooklyn, CUNY City College
    Rejected: UVA, Stony Brook, Sewanee
    Waiting for: Hamilton College (I know I will not get in), CUNY Hunter/Macaulay Honors, Binghamton, Kenyon College, UPitt

Please let me know what you think! I know my chances are slim, but I was wondering what you all thought. Thank you!

1 Like
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I think you answered your question. The reality is your odds aren’t great. Plus Oberlin, like many top schools, is need aware meaning if you need too much they’ll hold it against you. They do have a big wait list so perhaps that’s a possibility.

Just remember a few things -

1). We are not AOs

2). Averages/medians mean people underneath do get in. For example 80% are in the top quarter of the class but 98% are in the top half…so you’re in that 18% differential range.

3). You are impressive regardless of where you attend and already have some nice acceptances. I hope they gave u great aid.

Good luck.

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Thank you so much! I appreciate this info. I did get a good amount of aid so I’m very happy and grateful for that. Take care :slight_smile:

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Congrats on everything you have accomplished! I agree with tsbna44, I think Oberlin falls in the admit category of “unlikely”(odds are <20%.) In 2021 it denied 2 applicants for every 1 it accepted, and I expect the odds to be even lower this year. In addition, a GPA toward the lower end of their range and test optional lower the chance a little more. And then the fact you need financial aid… All that said, you seem like a remarkable young person, and I like seeing how you have followed your interests. Refreshing to see an applicant who is not from the same old cookie cutter. So you never know! I think you will thrive wherever you land. My own kid is applying to CUNYs and SUNYs as top choices (we are OOS) so we are excited to hear of your acceptances there. Congrats and best of luck!

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Okay, thank you for the insight!
And thank you so much for the kind words :slight_smile: that makes me happy :blush:
CUNYs and SUNYs are great!! Good luck to your kid.
Take care :slight_smile:

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