I’m an international student applying ED1 for Conn what are my chances?
1400 new SAT
8 IELTS
4 Unweighted GPA
strong Counselor recommendation (hope)
3 Recommendation letters
Good ECAs with a good number of community service activities.
good chance
Connecticut College is a terrific–and I think somewhat under-appreciated–LAC. According to their website, demonstrated interest influences their acceptance decision.
–Show them some love: write, visit, interview; they deserve it!
Read everything about Conn: Know their curriculum, their programs, their academic stars, and subscribe to their newsletter or calendar of events. Check out the various ConnColl student blogs.
I got deferred to the regular pool; what should I do now in your opinion?
I don’t work in admissions, but I respect what they do:
Email your regional rep/officer in charge of your file/reader to say, “If accepted, I will attend.” (ED1 seems to indicate that, but additional courting may help.)
I wouldn’t pester anyone, but also ask admissions if there is anything more you can do?: Interview by Skype? Visit? (If you are able.) They’ll probably say no, they’re busy, but give it a try. (Nothing ventured, nothing gained.)
I see you’re international–are you looking for lots of financial help? As ED1, maybe you aren’t. If you are, they may have allocated for a different kind of candidate, meaning no slight of your own strong qualities: They’re building an entire class.
What about your file? Could there be a problem with a recommendation, or some other issue? How was your essay? Too late for Conn, but fixable for your other apps.
Holistic admissions can be a mysterious process.
They’re very diligent at Conn, as evidenced by an unusually harmonious, accepting campus vibe. They’re choosy in particular ways: The Honor Code and open-mindedness have to coexist in a smaller population tenanted entirely by youth.
In that respect, every college is practically a lab experiment. And the smaller the school, the more crucial every element is to the overall synthesis.
The student I know there enjoys friendships with International students, premeds, athletes, and members of all genders. Conn’s a place where you can do that easily: It fosters bonding across types. Students work into a class or not, based on both academic and community considerations.
Take heart: If not Conn, another school will turn out to be the better fit–and somehow, complete strangers in admissions knew that better than you. That’s what admissions people do, very well, on the whole: Figure out where you belong.
Good luck! You’ve done very well so far. Your star will continue to shine.