Chance me, please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z College of William and Mary
1

<p>Hello!
I'm a female from Northern Virginia.
Top 10% in a class of about 300
ACT = Composite 28/Reading 31/English 29/Math 28/Science 25 (I'm registered for my second ACT in September to raise my scores)
Weighted GPA of 3.97
Anticipated Major: English
I plan on attending graduate school and receiving my PhD to teach English courses in college and university.</p>

<p>8th Grade
- French 1 A
- Algebra 1 A</p>

<p>Freshman Year
- Wind Ensemble A
- Geometry A
- English Honors B
- French 2 B
- World History I Honors A
- Earth Science Honors B
- Sports Medicine A
- Physical Education A</p>

<p>Sophomore Year
- English 10 A
- Biology B
- World History II A
- Algebra II B
- Advanced Physical Education II A
- Physical Education A
- Sports Medicine II A
- Cosmetology A (Actually a very interesting class. I was more interested in the textbook assignments-learning about skin and hair... but I do regret taking it. I was not very motivated Sophomore year)</p>

<p>Junior Year
- English Lang&Comp AP A
- US History AP/DE A
- Chemistry A
- Advanced Math A
- Elementary Functions A
- Sociology A
- Advanced Physical Education II A
- Astronomy A</p>

<p>Senior Year
- English Lit&Comp AP/DE
- US Government AP/DE
- Physics
- Calculus (possibly the two-term AP course...)
- French 3
- French 4
- Creative Writing or Psychology AP </p>

<p>Freshman Year EC
- Marching Band
- JV Softball
- JDRF Volunteer
- Annual Wreath Laying Volunteer at Arlington National Cemetary
- Recreational Softball Coaching Volunteer</p>

<p>Sophomore Year EC
- Varsity Cross Country
- JV Softball
- JDRF Volunteer
- Annual Wreath Laying Volunteer at Arlington National Cemetary
- Recreational Softball Coaching Volunteer</p>

<p>Junior Year EC
- National Honor Society
- Varsity Cross Country
- Track and Field
- Elementary School Tutoring
- Shop with a Cop Volunteer
- JDRF Volunteer
- Annual Wreath Laying Volunteer at Arlington National Cemetary
- Volunteer at Local Cemetary for Cataloguing Graves</p>

<p>Senior Year (Anticipated) EC
- National Honor Society
- Academic Team
- Varsity Cross Country
- Elementary School Tutoring
- Shop with a Cop Volunteer
- JDRF Volunteer
- Annual Wreath Laying Volunteer at Arlington National Cemetary
- Volunteer at Local Cemetary for Cataloguing Graves</p>

<p>I don't know if this applies to college applications, but in middle school I co-founded the school newspaper.
I have been talking to my guidance counselor about starting a club this year, similar to the Dead Poets Society. </p>

<p>Freshman Year Employment
- Recreational Softball Umpire</p>

<p>Sophomore Year Employment
- Recreational Softball Umpire
- Starbucks Barista</p>

<p>Junior Year Employment
- Starbucks Assistant Manager</p>

<p>Senior Year Employment
- Starbucks Assistant Manager
- Safeway GMBC Employee
- Safeway Floral Employee (Seasonal)</p>

<p>I also played recreational and travel softball leading into my Junior year (which explains Advanced Physical Education II-I was training)</p>

<p>I attended an informational session, campus tour, and summer interview.
I plan on applying Early Decision.</p>

<p>Thank you for your time!</p>

2

<p>Glad to hear you’re interest in W&M. If we remain your first choice, definitely apply early decision. That applicant pool is only about 1100 students instead of the 13,000 students who apply overall so it’s easier for any student to stand ou in the smaller pool.</p>

<p>Assuming you go to a Fairfax County high school we would recommend you take additional APs your senior year if possible. Only taking two is rather limiting especially since all of those high schools (even the ones in NOVA that aren’t in Fairfax County) offer a ton of AP classes. We like to see students challenge themselves and excel in a wide variety of courses. As it stands, the only AP courses you’re taking are in the humanities. You mentioned taking an AP Calculus and AP Psych classes and we’d advise you to go for it assuming you feel you’ll do well in them. You may also want to explain why you stopped French for several years as that’s not something we see often.</p>

<p>Also see if any leadership positions are up for grabs in some of your ECs. That’s a great way to distinguish yourself. Also make sure that we understand you’re an assistant manager at your job (sounds impressive) and how many hours a week you work. We understand that those who have part-time jobs (especially those that take upwards of 8-10 hours per week) may be more limited in their ability to participate in ECs (although you seem to have a great balance) so we use that context to evaluate that part of your application. Unfortunately we ask that you limit your EC list to those things you’ve done from 9th grade on so we will not consider your newspaper work in middle school.</p>

<p>Finally, we would advise attempting the ACT again in Sept… Your scores are within our mid 50% range (27-32) but on the lower end and since we take only your best score it can’t hurt you to take the ACT again in Sept. or try the Oct. SAT.</p>

<p>For more on our process and any applicant’s chances, check out our Admit It! Blog ([W&M</a> Blogs Chance Me](<a href=“http://blogs.wm.edu/2010/12/14/chance-me/]W&M”>http://blogs.wm.edu/2010/12/14/chance-me/))</p>

3

<p>Thank you so much for writing back. I finally have my concrete Senior schedule:</p>

<p>English Literature and Composition AP/DE
United States Government AP/DE
French 3
French 4
Psychology AP
Physics
Calculus BC (Two term and two credit AP course)</p>

<p>I’m confident I’ll do well in each course, however, I’m debating dropping cross country for this year. I’d like to focus in on my academics so I can illustrate myself as a student. Will dropping a sport my senior year hurt my chances? I still plan on working and the other ECs I listed.</p>

4

<p>ONe of the ways we evaluate ECs is by looking at whether or not you have any four-year commitments. Dropping a long-term EC senior year is not encouraged unless there is a valid reason. W&M students balance commitments to academics and ECs and we like to see our applicants do the same. If you believe you can be successful in your courses and continue with cross country we’d encourage you to do so. If you don’t and decide to drop that commitment we’d encourage you to explain that in your application so we have as much context as possible.</p>

5

<p>I’m approaching my third week of cross country training! Thank you for encouraging me to continue with my running. I’m looking forward to another awesome season and I’m definitely looking forward to the first week of December! Go Tribe!</p>

6

<p>Good for you! Have a great seaon!</p>