Chances? And suggestions for improving them!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Claremont McKenna College
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<p>Hi there! I posted earlier in the general chances forum and got a vague response that CMC was a reach for me. I'd like more detail though from current students or alum.
I'm currently a Junior is HS. I love the California atmosphere, especially with the close proximity to both the beach and mountains that Claremont offers.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.92 W
3.61 UW
Freshman year didn't go so well for me (3.9 1st semester, 3.4 2ed semester due to distracting family circumstances) but my grades have risen from there. This past semester I got a 3.75 UW with 3 AP's.</p>

<p>ACT: 32 Composite (first time, im retaking it in April to hopefully get a 34+)</p>

<p>Taking the SAT in March (210 PSAT)</p>

<p>AP Courses: AP World (3), AP US History, AP English 11, AP Physics B</p>

<p>Im also registered to be taking AP Stats, AP European History, AP French, AP English 12, AP Government, and AP Econ next year.</p>

<p>Honors Courses: Honors Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, Honors English 9</p>

<p>EC's: 3rd year member of Student Senate (some leadership roles, participated in All State, 3 letters)
3 year Varsity Athlete (1st team all-state academics, ranked 7th nationally, 2x State Champion, will be captain next year)
10+ years athletics outside school (4x state champions)</p>

<p>National Honor Society (lettered)
National French Honor Society
National English Honor Society
Academic Letter</p>

<p>100+ hours community service
Summer/part time job in a Physicians office (office assistant, filling charts, etc)</p>

<p>So do I have a shot at getting in? Also, what can I do to improve my chances in the next year?
Thank you!</p>

2

<p>…Bump…
Long time, no replies : (</p>

3

<p>Because of its selectivity, it is best to say that it is a reach for almost everyone (similar to the Ivy League chances concept). I would say that you’re doing fine academically but lack in leadership. Right now your focus should be LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP. Identify your passions and start writing your Common App essay early. Come from a unique background? Highlight it.</p>

<p>To give you some insight on the type of leadership one may find valuable when applying to CMC, take a look at my post. I lack a bit academically, but luckily my hooks/involvement/background have the potential to give me that extra push within the ED II pool. I find out February 15!</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1597663-claremont-mckenna-chances.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1597663-claremont-mckenna-chances.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>You have two leadership roles next year so I think you will be fine on leadership. I applied with like four but there is obviously diminishing returns when it comes to leadership (you can only talk about so much and commit yourself to so much. Quality over quantity). I think leadership on Varsity sports in great and something you could write about a lot. I wrote about it to almost all of my schools because I am most passionate about it. If you are a 3 year player and would play in college, try and get recruited. Even if they won’t recruit you, it will not hurt your chances (you also have strong test scores so that could bring up team averages). I play for a small prep school (also state and regional champs) and I probably could easily have played soccer at CMC. I just didn’t want the commitment. </p>

<p>For you, I would say just focus on your next semester GPA and test scores. CMC super scores the ACT so you can easily hit a 34 if you don’t get it in one sitting. I was stupid with my test scores and didn’t commit myself and only ended up with a 33. I really think that intensive prep (like take a whole test every weekend for a month and a half before the main test) will pay off. I know a kid who did this an got a 35 first try. I dabbled with the book and really didn’t put in any effort. I actually got my best score when I sat for it cold, no studying for a while. </p>

<p>Tl;Dr

  1. Leadership has diminishing returns. You can only “make up” so much for you GPA
  2. Try and recruited if you want, not can.
  3. GPA and Test scores is all you can do to statistically improve your chances. The rest is subjective </p>