Chance me...just for kicks

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

<p>Ok, so both of my parents as well as my grandfather went to Williams. They all seem to think I'd get in (despite the fact that I don't feel I would), so I want you guys to chance me. Please BE HONEST! Tell me if you don't feel I'm quite up to par with other applicants, I can guarentee you I won't be offended. My grandmother has talked to some woman who works in admissions (but is not an admissions officer) and she seems to think I would have been a shoe in because of my legacy even though she doesn't know me or my stats. My question is, does legacy really matter that much? Even though my stats are somewhat mediocre for a school like Williams, could the 2 generations of legacy push me over? I'm pasting in my stats from another board, here they are:</p>

<p>White female from CT (potential biology major and environmental science minor with aspirations of becoming a large animal vet)</p>

<p>GPA- 16.98 out of 18.00 (yeah...my school is weird. We don't do the 4.0 thing)</p>

<p>Curriculum: My school levels classes (from worst to best) as level 3, level 2, level 1, honors, AP. I have taken all level 1 (most kids take level 2) plus 2 honors classes (French and Pre-calculus) and 2 APs (chemistry and biology). I received a 5 on my bio exam and chem is to be taken this spring, though I'm predicting a 4 based on how I'm doing in the class. I'm concerned with the low AP number, but my school does not offer them until junior year and we have a fairly limited amount of APs offered (same with honors). </p>

<p>Class rank - definitely in the top 5%, however my school does not give out exact rank (with the exception of the valedictorian and salutatorian)</p>

<p>SATs- Math: 640
Reading: 630
Writing: 620
SAT IIs - Biology (molecular): 740
Math Level 1: 600 (ouch, I was unfortunately in the very beginning of pre-calc at the time, so I had to skip a fair amount since I could not do them)</p>

<p>Teacher recs: One from my biology teacher last year which is definitely outstanding and one from my US history teacher which probably won't be as good but still fine. Counselor rec should be good as well.</p>

<p>Essay: About growing up with social anxiety disorder and learning to accept myself for who I am instead of being angry at myself or wishing to be someone else. Being a science person, writing is on the weaker end of my spectrum, however I am quite proud of my essay and feel it is well written, honest, and (as my English teacher called it) "brave". </p>

<p>Volunteer work/community service:
Been seriously involved with horseback riding and caring for horses since I was young (I have been working at stables since age 12)
Community service group called "pilgrim fellowship" that does various local community service projects throughout the year, all leading up to an annual mission trip to another area of the country in need. These trips alone have given me 50+ hours of community service (I have at least 100 hours total).
Soup kitchen volunteer since age 12
Helped collect toys for underpriveledged families with my dad every Christmas for six years
Nursery volunteer at my church (was also confirmed as a member of the church my sophomore which required a 2 year preperation program)</p>

<p>Activities:
Field hockey for all four years of high school (varsity letter winner and was co-captain of JV junior year)
Girls ice hockey - 9th grade
Horseback riding and competitions
Clarinet- have been a member of my school's elite band group (by audition only) since sophomore year
Singing (just for fun, nothing serious)
Art lessons from age 8 to freshman year (not sure that counts but oh well...)
National Honor Society
French Honor Society</p>

<p>Awards:
Excellence in Advanced Placement Biology
Excellence in United States History
National and French honor society inductions
Confirmed member of church
Always on high (A+/A average) or regular honor roll (A-/B+ average)
CAPT scholar (tests in CT only)
Most imporved freshman field hockey player
Most valuable player junior year (JV)
Won best in show and people's choice awards for a painting at a nationally recognized fair</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>Legacy matters more in the ED stage. Had you applied ED, I'd be willing to say you'd definately get in.</p>

<p>But without the ED, I think you have a decent chance, although it'd definately not a sure thing. The SAT is pretty low, but your rank and GPA are in the Williams range.</p>

3

<p>Just curious, but why didn't you retake the math SAT II or take another SAT II? Do you have more scores coming?</p>

4

<p>Oh I did retake the math SAT II. I got a 590 the first time and a 600 the second time...ha ha oops (took it May of last year the first time when I was still in Algebra II and in October the second time)! Such a bad score, oh well. There really were no other SAT IIs I could have taken without doing significantly worse than a 600, so I settled for that. Not exactly Williams caliber, I know.</p>

5

<p>That's not necessarily true. The bio was good, and I was curious about the situation because you had explained why one math attempt wasn't great.</p>

<p>Thanks for answering. I have this theory that a lot of schools don't give students very good advice about timing their SAT IIs and planning to leave room for retakes/substitutions, so I was wondering whether you were in that position.</p>

<p>I sense you are a little down on yourself. </p>

<p>I really hope you surprise yourself.</p>

6

<p>Hmmm. If you really want brutally honest...I would not be as optimistic as the poster above. Being a legacy is very helpful. However, I know of a legacy situation...father, grandfather and son went to Williams, but son #2 did not get in, and 3rd child was deferred in ED round with scores just shy of 1400 and other solid things (though did get in in the end). Your GPA, etc are solid, but it doesn't sound to me like you might play hockey for them, and your scores are a weakness in your profile. Just statistically speaking, the odds of getting in ED are 36-40%. Good luck, though. It is a great place!</p>

7

<p>Thanks to all who responded! Don't worry, I'm not offended at all. Thanks for the post Environmentalist. You're right, I don't have a whole lot of confidence in myself. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.</p>