Demographics
US citizen
Massachusetts resident
Public HS of about 1,100 students. Class size is a little under 300 *school does not rank
White female
4 year field hockey including Varsity captain senior year
intending on majoring in biology (Pre-PA track)
3.64 UW, 4.04 W
applied test optional
school does not rank
Coursework:
AP Biology
AP statistics
AP Calulus AB
all other honors where I could (ex. un-leveled electives I could not)
took french all four years
took at least one of the “core four” each year: history, math, science, english
took quite a few science electives - forensics and exercise physiology
doubled in math junios year (Pre-calculus honors and AP Statistics)
doubled in science sophmore year (Chem and Honors Bio)
doubled in science senior year (AP Bio and Honors Physics)
Member of National Honors Society
ECs:
four year field hockey, varsity captain
part time job as cashier/customer service at local bookstore
parttime job as Administrative assistant to Lawyer in her personal law firm
Girl Scout my whole life
Service Project through my church
camp counselor
NHS
hundreds of community service hours
co-founder and co-president of a book club club at my school.
I think my essay was decent, unique and should stand out. Kind of connects to intended major and love of science.
Cost Constraints / Budget
unsure, couldn’t just afford any college - money is definitely going to play a role in my decision though.
Pursued need-based aid.
COLLEGE LIST
(Safety) Stonehill college - EA
(Match/Target) Providence College - EA
UMass Amherst - EA
Fairfield University - EA
(Reach) Boston College - RD/priority
Northeastern University - EA
Colby College - RD
thank u for all your feedbakc, I am super anxious about hearing back so any advice is helpful
I am only a high school senior, so all of this is according to my perspective and opinion!!
According to the UMass amherst website, the first batch of EA decisions were released on Dec. 7th – did you hear back from them?
While Northeastern is need-aware, UMass Amherst, one of your matches, does NOT consider your financial situation when deciding whether or not to admit you.
Since you mentioned the financial aspect will be a big deciding factor when committing to a college, I think the other colleges on your list other than UMass would be meeting your need for financial aid.
IMO, UMass seems more like a reach based on your GPA. Maybe apply to a couple more colleges?
Best of luck to you!!
Do you have an indication of approximate rank ? I know the school doesn’t but do you think of 300 you’re #10 or #75 etc, Did your school offer a lot of APs or just a few…ie I’m trying to determine your rigor. If you took all or most that were offered, then you’d be in a little better shape.
Basing on the norms, I’d say you are good match and below and are unlikely to your reaches.
If you are looking for other options, you might look at UVM, UNH, URI, Delaware in the NE public sector or College of Charleston to go further South. Check admission deadlines. For private, Ithaca, Trinity, Franklin & Marshall, or Hobart might fit well.
Good luck.
Ps if you need aid and will qualify (you need to do your FAFSA and get an estimated family contribution to see…then you can apply to private schools. Many will require the CSS too.
Or you can chase merit aid, some of it automatic. Go South. Alabama, Ms State, Arkansas, Mizzou, Maine. for example. Utk Kentucky. W Carolina for a small school. For LACs, schools like Allegheny and DePauw could work. Or Oglethorpe or Hendrix where they may match your in-state tuition. Again check dates as it’s getting late.
