Chance me/Is this a good fit for me?

<p>I have been looking into Bates and it looks like an awesome school. First, I would like to know what my chances are. If my target school sends a rejection before January 1st, then I will apply ED II to a LAC, I just don’t know which one yet. That’s what I am trying to figure out: which LAC is right for me, and which one do I have the best chance of getting into? Here are my stats, sorry if it’s long:</p>

<p>I am applying to be a History, Philosophy, Political Science, or English major. I want to go to law school after undergrad.</p>

<p>I have a 1910 SAT 610, 610, 690, and a 28 ACT. I took it again last Saturday and am hoping I got a 30 or 31. I am not sending these scores.</p>

<p>5.1 weighted GPA, and about A 3.72 unweighted. I’m a white male from Texas.</p>

<p>My school stopped reporting rankings but last year my rank was 68/603 (about top 11%). Rank will not be sent to colleges though.</p>

<p>By the end of the year ill have taken 10 AP classes: Human Geography (4), World History (3), English lang & comp (4), US History (5). my senior courses:
AP German 5, Aquatic Science, AP Gov/AP Microecon, Debate 4 called "Independent Speech Study, Pre ap pre cal, AP Biology, Ap English lit, & AP Psych</p>

<p>I took pre-ap which is basically honors at my school throughout my high school career. (We don’t have “honors” only regular, pre ap and AP)</p>

<p>I think i have strong extracurriculars:
Eagle Scout with some leadership positions in the troop like patrol leader and librarian. </p>

<p>Started my own functioning business through a year long Entrepreneur academy. Got a grant and have sold my product at several events with profit. </p>

<p>My main hook/strongest EC is Debate. I’m the Debate team captain, I went to state, have gotten to finals/semifinals of several tournaments, and was selected by coach to coach the novices. I also wrote my common app essay about this.</p>

<p>I have NHS, German Club (with a leadership position) & German Honor Society, and a few smaller academic awards like AP scholar with honor. I also put my debate awards in the awards section.</p>

<p>I have 100+ volunteer hours. Ive volunteered at a couple republican conventions as a page, and worked a little on the campaign for Abbott. Besides that I did a lot of Eagle project community service and I did a lot of volunteering with my church. Went on a local mission trip 3 years in a row with my church and helped the local community. I’m also involved with Youth Group. My volunteer work shows that I like helping my local community.</p>

<p>For work, I work about 10 hours a week at State Farm. I helped lead a marketing campaign and I also assist the workers with different things around the office. I also worked at a resturaunt during sophomore and half of junior year.</p>

<p>I am planning on showing interest in Bates, because from what I have seen I would love to go here. I have requested an interview and am planning on flying over to Maine to visit the school sometime in January.</p>

<p>So, I have narrowed my choices down to a few LACs where I think I would like to attend: Bates, Trinity, Colby, and Colgate. I know Bates is different from the other three, I just don’t know how to make a definite decision on which one I would like over the others without visiting all of them (which isn’t a possibility).
I also want a school that typically puts kids into a top law program (top 14 preferably) and has a good pre law advising system. What I am interested in schools are: greek life (I know this is absent at Bates), student government, studying abroad, debate, and maybe participating in crew or another sport for fun. I have heard that Bates has a lot of outdoor activities. I have been camping a LOT (Ever since elementary school - plus Boy Scouts was camping at least once a month) and I love camping. I also love kayaking, hiking, and other fun outdoor activities.</p>

<p>So the main question is: Could I get into Bates, (Would it be a matter of ED II vs RD?) and based on my interests do all of you think I would enjoy attending?</p>

<p>What I know about some of these schools (2nd hand through friends and relatives that go to these places):
I think you have a very good chance at Bates and you should definitely visit and interview there because it’s important for Bates admissions.
Trinity has a very different vibe from Bates and Colby – urban, preppy. It’s also a little bigger than Bates and Colby. Has frats but they’re changing dramatically due to administration’s recent attempt to get rid of them or at least reduce their role on campus. Has an outing club but it’s kind of inactive / uninteresting. Both Bates and Colby have really good outing clubs and great places for camping / hiking nearby.
Trinity and Bates both have strong rowing programs. Bates has a top notch debate club.
Good luck.</p>

<p>Thanks @LACluster will I have a much better chance if I apply ED II?</p>

<p>^^ I really don’t know. But it seems to me that when you apply ED2, colleges know that you didn’t get into your real first choice ED1. But – since ED2 is binding, it shows a real level of interest / sincerity. I think that’s important for Bates at least. Somewhere I heard that “Bates wants students that want Bates”. Like I said before, if you apply to Bates (ED2 or otherwise) make sure to interview, if at all possible. And if you can’t get to Lewiston, request an interview with an alum in the area where you live.</p>