Chances and Suggestions

<p>I am considering applying to Williams during Early or Regular Decision.</p>

<p>Transcript:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.6 at a prestigious private school that doesn't give out A+ grades.
Course-load: Very rigorous -- 7 AP classes</p>

<p>Standardized Tests:</p>

<p>SAT Math: 800
SAT Critical Reading: 700
SAT Writing: 720
SAT Composite: 2220</p>

<p>AP English Language: 5
AP US History: 4
AP Chemistry: 4</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular Activities:</p>

<p>Varsity Tennis: 9 & 10
Varsity Cross Country: 10 & 12
Varsity Track & Field: 11 & 12
Varsity Indoor Track: 11 & 12</p>

<p>Debate Team Captain and Founder
Tri-M Music National Honor Society: 10, 11, & 12
UNITY/Gay-Straight Alliance: 9, 10, 11, & 12
Coalition for Global Change: 11 & 12
Jazz Band: 10, 11, & 12
Guitar Ensemble: 10, 11, & 12</p>

<p>Hooks:</p>

<p>Music Rating (in all likelihood)</p>

<p>This Autumn I'm going to take the Literature and Math II SAT IIs and I am considering retaking the SAT I to improve my Critical Reading and Writing scores. Does anyone have any suggestions for improving my application and if I should apply during the Early Decision or Regular Decision periods?</p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

<p>I'd think you'd have a pretty good shot, but since there isn't one thing that really makes you stand out in particular based on your resume, I guess it depends on your essays to convince the admissions people that you are unique.</p>

<p>=/ I suppose that's probably right.</p>

<p>SRV, If Williams is your first choice and if you don't need to compare and possibly negotiate financial aid packages, then by all means, apply ED. </p>

<p>The combination of sports and music is a strong positive for you. If you're interested or able to participate in varsity sports at Williams, you should contact the coach now. If you're more on a personal or club level, that's still okay as Williams likes active kids. </p>

<p>I don't know what "music rating" means, but your involvement in jazz band and guitar ensemble are also pluses. You should submit a recording as a supplement to your application, even if you don't intend to major in music.</p>

<p>I'm sorry, I didn't mean to discourage you! I'm pretty much in the same position as you, anyway. I think if you really love the school and apply ED you have a good chance of getting in because it shows how committed you are to the school, which is always nice for them.</p>

<p>Applying ED will give you a big advantage, I think. Applications like yours are a dime-a-dozen in the regular pool. Less so in ED. You should visit (and make sure the admissions office knows that you have). What is your rank (actual or approximate) at your school and where did students with a similar rank from last year go to school? No real point in retaking SAT.</p>

<p>Everyone here seems to want you to apply ED, but in my opinion, if you're not sure whether or not you should apply early or regular, then you definitely should not apply early. Applying early does increase your chances of admission; since you have to attend if accepted, it helps the school lower its overall acceptance rate.
However, as was stated, you CAN'T go elsewhere if you are accepted ED. Unless you are positive you want to go somewhere, don't apply early. There's probably a lot of pressure to do so, but coming from someone who did it and later regretted it, think about it carefully.</p>

<p>Retake the SATs if you plan to apply for outside scholarships. This is something we cottoned onto too late: SAT scores and GPA are often the top initial sorting factors in selection. Whether you took hard courses, have amazing extracurricular activities, and so forth seems to get ignored by the decision-makers in a lot of the outside scholarship competitions. Raising your SATs a little might make a difference.</p>

<p>But that's for outside scholarship purposes, not for purposes of applying to Williams.</p>