Chances at Bates College and beyond

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So... what are the stats with people going to Bates College? I dont have my class rank, but my GPA is 3.02 as of last spring, going up a bit this year (3.2 tops though)</p>

<p>My main strength was not GPA/AP stuff, because... well.. frankly the place I am has a horrible AP program where over 85% of students drop out because of poor teaching (No joke, my mom works for the district and I have the numbers saved on my computer)</p>

<p>I did a fairly good job getting that across.. I focused mainly on that I am graduating, not only early, but with 15 hours of college credit and will have 21 hours of credit by the time my peers finish High School. </p>

<p>It isnt that I haven’t worked hard, or dont know the material, just that the basic programs most colleges used arnt the kind-of things that work where I am from.</p>

<p>I tried to focus a lot on my ECs: Working with a film crew to broadcast football games, designing web pages for the school district and teaching administrators to do video editing/web design. I even got an outstanding recommendation from my superintendent. </p>

<p>Im from Arkansas, and also good friends with the only other student from Arkansas at Bates at the moment (who is graduating this year).</p>

<p>So what do you guys think? Sorry this isnt a Score, GPA, basic stat type thing.. but really that isnt the type of thing my school does.</p>

<p>:) Just curious about other people and what they've done/experienced.</p>

<p>The application, all in all, is VERY strong: superb essay, great recommendations, about 250 hours of community service, lots of activity in education including tutoring and disaster relief as well. But I had a VERY non-traditional application: has anyone else been in this boat? how did you fair? </p>

<p>What do you guys think my chances are at other schools like Bates?</p>

<p>Best Wishes,
~Matthew</p>

2

<p>Bump. It's ok :) You guys can be brutal and honest.</p>

3

<p>Your GPA is low for Bates, where GPA and rank are very important. Strong SAT or ACT scores could help boost your profile. Your school's weak AP program, while explaining your approach, doesn't change the reality of your average HS course load, so your college courses will be given scrutiny. Also consider SATIIs and self-study for APs.</p>

<p>Bates consider ECs as very important. Interviews also, so you should see if you can interview. I don't know if Bates does alumni interviews. Recs will also be very important. Get to know the adcomm rep for Ark and let them know how very interested you are. You'll learn alot more about bates in the process. I don't know how many Bates students come from Ark, so perhaps being from Ark will help some. As to other schools, I couldn't tell what your main interests are and there are many great LACs and universities.</p>

<p>Bottom line, Bates is a reach but not out of the question. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Oh woops! Forgot to say: I went to bates for an interview alone, flew up from Arkansas (dono if thats a plus or not)</p>

<p>Ive mainly talked with an admissions person who took me under her wing so to speak: Ms. Wisenburger. </p>

<p>I think I pretty much nailed the interview... so who know? </p>

<p>At the moment there is only 1 person from Bates, who is a good friend of mine, and graudating. I dont know about any other applicants from Arkansas this year, but who knows?</p>

<p>:) Thanks for the help, any more are GREATLY welcomed.</p>

5

<p>what are your SAT scores? scores aren't overly important for Bates (some kids in my school got in and they hardly broke 2000), but they still can help</p>

<p>and how did you like lewiston? it's pretty run down, eh? i was going to apply to Bates, but it's like right down the street and I want to get as far away from here as possible. but its a great school and the campus itself is pretty. just forget about the surrounding area</p>

6

<p>I oppted not to send in my SAT scores. My ACT score is 27 composite though.</p>

<p>I actually diddnt mind lewiston! it kind-of had an old-town charm to me that I liked.</p>

7

<p>Bump to your left, Bump to your right, Bump Bump Bump all through the night! ;)</p>