Chance My Son, Please

<p>Son a junior in excellent public high school in MA. Has a 4.7 weighted GPA on a 6.0 scale -- have no idea how this translates on the 4.0 scale but he is a B student, having taken 3/4 of his classes at the Advanced level. Will take 3 APs next year (Bio, Stats, Latin); President of Latin Club; varsity golf and crew; few other clubs at school throughout high school and has done a bit of volunteering.</p>

<p>School doesn't rank but he's in top 30% (75/260).</p>

<p>SATs: 700M, 620CR, 520W -- will take again in June. How much does the Writing section actually count?</p>

<p>Also, not applying for financial aid -- does this even matter?</p>

<p>Anyone out there with honest opinion would be most appreciated! Thanks.</p>

<p>hahaha ok your son is applying to alot of the same schools I did (Bucknell, Lehigh, Union, Villanova, Colgate)</p>

<p>I feel like your son would have a good shot at union, nova and lehigh maybe, but colgate and bucknell are getting more and more competitive, but could probably make good reaches</p>

<p>Colgate does not use the Writing portion. Full-pay status only helps those kids on the "bubble".</p>

<p>Bluebayou: "Not needing FA would only apply if you're on the 'bubble'"? What's the bubble?! Thanks.</p>

<p>sorry, bubble is a term from March Madness, prior to the invitations to the NCAA tournament (aka, the Big Dance). On the bubble means that the admissions package is not a sure thing, i.e., Admissions has nearly completed thier review and found stronger candidates, (however they define "stronger"). Thus, for the last few spots (however defined), financial aid comes into play -- admission offers will go to the near or all full pay students as opposed to someone who needs a full ride.</p>

<p>I think your son has a decent shot but colgate is a reach . 1220/1600 is not very good its not bad at all but its not good enough for colgate. his gpa sounds good but i'm not too sure. top 30% should be acceptable though... just raise the sat.</p>

<p>SAT is 1320, not 1220.</p>

<p>Bluebayou: That's what I'm talking about . . . . since my son would most likely be a definite "Bubble Boy", would the fact that he doesn't need any dough help in Adcom making a favorable decision?</p>

<p>decisions are supposed to be need blind.</p>

<p>N-senior: few colleges are need-blind, and Colgate is not one of them. From Colgate's website:</p>

<p>"Colgate provides need-based financial aid to most admitted students who demonstrate need, but the admission process is not 100 percent need-blind."</p>

<p>myone: Yes, being full pay can only help a 'bubble boy' over a financially-needy student. But, unfortunately, there are plenty of full-pays in the applicant pool so one still needs to stand out.</p>

<p>ohh i'm sorry i thought 1220. 1320 is good. i think your son can get in!</p>

<p>I hate to be pessimistic, but I believe that 4.7/6 is equal to a 3.13 GPA. The SAT and the GPA are a bit low for Colgate. I would recommend bringing up the SAT and taking the ACT</p>

<p>Oldperson is correct, but I think that your son has better than a 50% chance of being admitted to Colgate University so long as his recommendations are strong and his application was well written & sincere.</p>