Chance of Acceptance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
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<p>Hey guys. So I’m in the middle of my junior year, and am obviously starting to look at colleges. While I love the city, and would like to live in an urban environment later on when I’m working, I’ve decided that I want to maintain the small closeness and security that I’ve always had growing up. As a result, I really want to attend Amherst College. If you guys could look at my credentials and give me an honest opinion regarding my chances, I’d really appreciate it!</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8 unweighted; 5.3 weighted
Class Rank: Top 10% (out of 271 students)
SAT I: Practice tests started low, but are improving steadily. Current highest score is a 2020 (Math - 750, Critical Reading - 630, Writing - 640), but I expect to have from 2100-2250 when I actually take the test.
SAT IIs: So far, I’ve only taken Math I, and got a 720. I plan on replacing that score with one from the Math II, and will also take the Physics and French tests (each projected to be 700+).</p>

<p>As for APs, my school does not offer a lot, by my class load is still without a doubt rigorous.
I am currently taking AP French, AP Physics B, Honors Biology, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors English, and Honors Modern American History. Next year, I plan on taking AP Calculus, AP Biology/AP Physics C, in addition to a lot of other honors courses (seriously, my high school does not offer any AP history or English classes; only sciences, languages, and math).</p>

<p>I plan on taking the AP French, AP Physics B, and AP History tests this year, and will likely get 5s on all three.</p>

<p>As for ECs, I have done a lot more musically than I have athletically, but that does not really bother me.</p>

<p>I was the drum major of the school marching band junior year, and will be continuing for senior year.
I’ve played the violin privately and for school orchestra for over 11 years.
I’ve been part of a local youth orchestra for 2 years now.
I’ve played the piano for 12 years.
I’ve played the saxophone in concert band, jazz band, marching band, and privately for 3 years.</p>

<p>As far as sports activities, I play recreational soccer and basketball (detest school teams). I also like to play golf for fun with my father.</p>

<p>As far as any academic awards:
In the National Honor Society.
Best middle income country in 2010 at the International Economic Summit at Harvard University.<br>
Planning on making it to nationals during National History Day 2012.
Planning on participating in Fed Challenge 2012.
Also, I’m auditioning for my state’s Senior District Festival for either violin or saxophone.</p>

<p>Additional Information/Hooks:
Legacy - my father graduated from Amherst College summa cum laude in his major.
Underrepresented minority - I am an African American student.
Application - I plan on applying early decision.</p>

<p>I plan on double majoring in economics and government in college.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance! :)</p>

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<p>Hi - Just to give you some perspective:</p>

<p>I have SATs 740-710-720, with SAT IIs literature 770 and Math I 720</p>

<p>Class rank 2 / 440</p>

<p>GPA 4.0</p>

<p>Very active in academic clubs, Pres. Japanese club, Harvard Book Award, National Merit Finalist …</p>

<p>I was defered by Amherst for early admission. The school is brutally competitive unless you are a legacy/athlete … </p>

<p>I’m still trying; you have to jump through A LOT of hoops unless you have 800 SATs</p>

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<p>As a black applicant and a legacy I would be sooooo surprised if you were not accepted! Amherst gets on average about 450 African American applicants and accepts about 40% of them so your chances are very very good and they would probably be happy to have you; especially since you most likely will attend and will increase Amherst’s African American yield.</p>

<p>[The</a> JBHE Annual Survey: Black First-Year Students at the Nation’s Leading Liberal Arts Colleges : The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education](<a href=“http://www.jbhe.com/2011/11/the-jbhe-annual-survey-black-first-year-students-at-the-nations-leading-liberal-arts-colleges/]The”>The JBHE Annual Survey: Black First-Year Students at the Nation’s Leading Liberal Arts Colleges : The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education)</p>

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<p>@amfreborg: Yeah, I’m extremely surprised at your being deferred from the school. You seem to be a very good candidate from what I’m seeing!</p>

<p>@ready2go2: Thanks so much for the link! These stats are mind-boggling! Amherst, Bowdoin, and UChicago are all schools that I am looking at that seem to have an interest in African Americans, which hopefully adds something to myself as a potential student.</p>

<p>Can anyone else help by chancing me? Again, it’d be very much appreciated!</p>

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<p>All your stats meet the standard. Now it’s a matter of recommendations and your essays.</p>

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<p>Hello all. I wanted to add that I just got back my first SAT scores. I received a 2140 (750 math, 720 writing, 670 critical reading), and will be retaking the test in May to hopefully bring my score up to 2200+. Given my other information, is this the kind of score I should be shooting for the next time around? Thanks.</p>

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<p>Big Business, I think you are a very good candidate–particularly if you apply ED.</p>

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<p>Thanks! I’m having an interview with a Dean sometime in June, so hopefully that’ll go well.</p>

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<p>Here’s another bump!</p>

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<p>I think you have a pretty good shot. I did ED through Questbridge and was admitted with a 2110, but that goes more to show their commitment to socioeconomic diversity. It couldn’t hurt to boost your scores up a little. I did Fed Challenge this year, intense stuff haha.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I was going to participate in Fed Challenge this year, but our team was cancelled for some reason. Maybe I’ll try to start it up again. And yeah, I’m retaking the SATs in May, so I’m hoping to come out with at least a 2200.</p>

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<p>I think you have a good chance of getting accepted. I got in to Amherst (early write) with a 2300 SAT and 4.0 unweighted GPA. Like you, I was very focused on music versus on athletics. I’m also African American.</p>

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<p>Hey all, thanks for the informative replies. I wanted to update this thread that my subject tests have come back as follow:</p>

<p>800 - Math I
800 - Math II
720 - Physics</p>

<p>Clearly I will go with the math II and physics. (I took the math for fun after realizing that I wasn’t prepared for the French). Does anyone think a third subject test for October or November is necessary, or should I just stay with what I’ve got? Thanks.</p>

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<p>I figured you only had a chance, then you said you were black. If all of this stuff materializes–maybe even if it doesn’t–there is no way in hell you will be rejeted by Amherst.</p>

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<p>Agreed. I had similar numbers and was accepted. I was more involved in athletics though (wasn’t a recruit). I am also white and without legacy. If you want to make your chances even better, I would aim for an sat score around 2200. That seems to be your only weakness, which will probably be compensated by other strengths as it is.</p>

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<p>Dude you’re a URM legacy with good test scores and gpa. If you left the essay blank you’d still have a good shot of getting accepted</p>

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<p>I’d say you chances of admission are solid especially because of your legacy status ut there are no guarantees. You should take the SATs again and aim for above 700 on everything in a single sitting. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thank you all for the thoughtful and supportive responses. I’m so excited to even be contemplating life living at Amherst! I will take all of your advice to heart!</p>