Chances are nice things.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carleton College
1

<p>I really like Carleton, especially its Quiz Bowl team. What kind of chance do you think I have of getting in? </p>

<p>Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
State: Michigan
School: Decently competitive public "magnet." We're a silver-medal USNWR school, for what that's worth. We send a lot of kids to the University of Michigan, and a few to top LACs/public universities, though no Ivies in the past twenty years or so.
Majors: I'm thinking biology or history. </p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.98
Rank: We don't officially rank until graduation, but I'm on track to be salutatorian.</p>

<p>Classes: I've taken the most rigorous courses I can. This includes a multi-year countywide gifted and talented course for English. I've taken all honors classes available to me, as well as three APs last year and three more this year.</p>

<p>Test Scores Submitted
October SAT: 780CR, 680M, 800W (2260)
Subject tests: 780 USH, 750 Lit
AP tests: AP English Lit (5), AP English Lang (5), APUSH (5)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
--Four years of professional choir
--Four summers of mentoring at an opera camp for young children
--Three years of Quiz Bowl (including two years at the varsity level and one year as co-captain of the varsity team)
--Three years of legislative debate (with some regional speaker awards)
--Internship with local hospital this past summer
--Student Council this year (secretary)</p>

<p>Awards
--First place in literature in state competition (10th grade)
--Numerous awards in regional writing competition (9th grade)
--NHS/NJHS
--National Merit Commended
--School departmental awards in English (9th/10th), biology (9th), French (9th/10th), creative writing (9th/10th), mathematics (9th/10th/11th)</p>

<p>Recommendations
One is from a history teacher I had for two years, and the other is for my precalc teacher. They are both quite good, along the lines of "top in my career" type of thing. The history one is brief, though.</p>

<hr>

<p>Thanks, everyone. :)</p>

2

<p>You look like you have a decent chance. Maybe try raising math score on SAT1 in January? Pretty solid otherwise, nothing to add.</p>

3

<p>Thanks, Alone. Unfortunately, I don’t think I will be able to take the SAT again, but we’ll see about that. I appreciate your advice and your evaluation of my chances! :)</p>

4

<p>Bumping to the top of the page. Any input? I submitted my application last Sunday and my supplement on Friday, and I think both are pretty good.</p>

5

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Show Carleton the love and you have good chance.</p>

7

<p>You should be in pretty good shape GPA and SAT wise. Statisically speaking around a quarter of Carleton’s admits aren’t even in the top 10th of their class. Your SAT math is not spectacular but it’s well within their range and your CR and Writing are above what they usually get. I’m might apply and I have a much lower GPA (3.6-3.7 unweighted, not sure yet) but similar SATs/EC’s.</p>

8

<p>Statistically, you look like a good bet to get in. … Make sure you show Carleton the love, express an interest by visiting (if possible) and communicating with your admissions person. My older daughter did not do that, and was wait-listed. My younger daughter did, and is now a very happy Carleton junior.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the chances, everyone. I do wish I could visit Carleton, but I won’t be able to unless I am accepted. :/</p>

<p>Hindoo, do you have any particular tips about how I should go about communicating with that admissions person? I can’t think of any questions that I need to have answered, and I’ve heard contrasting opinions on the value of just dropping an e-mail to say hi in this case. I was considering e-mailing those associated with Quiz Bowl, since that’s one of my favorite aspects of Carleton, but I don’t know if the admissions office would find out about that and view it as interest. I’d appreciate your advice in this matter.</p>

10

<p>phanatic–Have you been able to visit? If so, contact your admissions officer with a “thank you” note. If not, contact him/her with a note explaining why you couldn’t visit, and enthusiastically express your interest. I know that Carleton likes smart, interesting kids. Oh, and yes, definitely contact someone with the Quiz Bowl team. I think schools are always hungry for students interested in that. Go for it and good luck!</p>

11

<p>I suspect you will be accepted (the quiz bowl team could use more females!). When you visit, make sure you arrange in advance to visit the quiz bowlers. They’re great folks, and extremely good at their “sport.”</p>