Chances at Kenyon?

<p>Looking for feedback from CC participants . My son has visited, likes and is applying to Kenyon for 2006. He is interested in liberal arts and/or performing arts as his major and feels that Kenyon offers the best blend of both.</p>

<p>S attends a small independent school with no class ranking and an innovative curriculum. He has a 3.5 average (unweighted). No AP classes offered. He is very interested in theatre and has done 3 plays a year for four years, at his school and at a local college. This takes about 12-15 hours per week for about 30-35 weeks annually. His other major EC, at school, is student government and he has a major leadership role this year. S will receive strong support from college counselor and teachers.</p>

<p>Last spring S had SAT-I scores of 640-M, 720-CR and 710-W, and SAT II score of 740-US History. He's waiting for scores on SAT II Literature and Biology. He only took the SAT I's once, and choose to stay with those scores. Any reaction? What are his chances at Kenyon?</p>

<p>I think it's a match for him. His scores are certainly in the correct range, and while his ECs are limited, he is clearly devoted to them. Did he interview at Kenyon? That would be a big help.</p>

<p>S visited Kenyon in March 2005, toured and was interviewed by a Senior student. He interviewed at his High School earlier this month with one of the Kenyon Admissions staff. We've followed and enjoyed your postings on Kenyon over the last six months.</p>

<p>Here's a question: if S decides that theatre at Kenyon will remain an EC, but not his major, can non-majors still act, do sound, lights, sets???</p>

<p>Theater at Kenyon is obviously popular. Non-majors are always invited to participate in theater, and many do. It is pretty much always possible to do lights, sound, sets, costumes, etc, but acting can be a bit more selective. So much of the casting is not only talent, but how well you know the director, and those who take classes within the department are certainly ahead in that aspect. But tell him to go for it!</p>

<p>S just received SAT II scores, and got 780 in Biology and 750 in Literature. I know SAT II's are optional at Kenyon but will submitting scores like this show academic breath? My son's SAT's have generally been better than his academic grades, in part because his committment to EC's has often competed with study time and, in part, because his school tends to be a grade-deflator. How will Kenyon look at these SAT II scores?</p>

<p>When does it start snowing at Kenyon?</p>

<p>Definitely include these scores! They are excellent and will show academic breath... From what I can tell, Kenyon will only use SAT IIs to support an applicant, not hurt them, ie, if they suck, they'll just ignore them. But scores like your son's would only help anyway.</p>

<p>Snow at Kenyon... changes year to year. I'd say flurries in November and then the first real snow in December, but most of the seasons snow falling after new years. Things seem to be moving a little late this year, but the temperature has suddenly dropped, and winter is slowly but surely moving in... and the heat in my (off-campus) house isn't working....</p>

<p>Hi Kc_lady, I quote this from the admission website at Kenyon: "While you are welcome to take standardized tests as many times as you'd like, we don't expect you to take the ACT and/or SAT more than twice." So does this mean that I shouldnt take the SAT anymore?? I didnt exactly do well on the oct SAT, with cr being 570 and maths 740. Is it possible for me to retake SAT in December? Thanks a lot!!</p>

<p>Taking the SAT twice is fine, like they said, but taking it more than twice can appear a little desperate. If you've only taken the SAT once before, I think it would be fine to retake them in December. Did I read somewhere that you are applying ED? If you are, then it will be too late in December, however it would be fine for RD.</p>

<p>Work to get that CR up!</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the help! I have taken the SAT twice and I will be applying to Kenyon ED I. But I think I will have to sit for the SAT again in December since my cr is low. And let's say if I dont get in ED I, I think I would have to try again for ED II I guess, with the new SAT score. Any comments would be much appreciated! Thank you.</p>

<p>screwup: I am pasting an excerpt from the alumni bulletin, which you must have gone through as well..This might help you get a sense of the importance and weight of the SAT scores in Kenyon's application process. SAT Scores arent everything, atleast not at Kenyon!( thats my opinion derived from personal observations)</p>

<p>A day in edII committee</p>

<p>Midway through the afternoon a case arises that will throw the schedule off entirely: A phenomenally talented student who does well in high school but presents extremely low SAT scores stirs the group into an impassioned half-hour debate. A musical powerhouse, the applicant has composed a song cycle that was performed by a professional choir. Although her grade-point average is an admissible 3.58 in a solid college-prep curriculum, her combined board scores are more than 300 points lower than the Kenyon average of 1323. No one remembers seeing such low scores arrive in committee before, but a musical talent of this caliber rarely crosses the table, either. Two sets of questions dominate the discussion. The first focuses on how best to meet the student's educational needs. Is Kenyon the right place for her? Is she sure she doesn't want to study at a conservatory? The second set, inevitably, considers the impact this student's SAT scores will have on Kenyon's statistics. As one staff member puts it, "How many kids with perfect scores would it take to offset hers?"</p>

<p>Nearly thirty minutes have elapsed when Bev Morse, associate dean of admissions and veteran of nearly twenty years of Kenyon admissions committees, summarizes the quandary: "She'll hurt the data, no question, but she's a once-in-a-lifetime kid."</p>

<p>The question comes down to this, says Britz: Is Kenyon a place that can still take a risk on brilliance?</p>

<p>Erica Carroll '01, associate director, looks around at her colleagues and asks, "Why are we still talking about this kid? We can still admit genius."</p>

<p>The vote is unanimous: the student is given a place in the Class of 2009. A collective sigh is released. Everyone feels Kenyon is doing the right thing. When they aren't thinking about the stats.</p>

<p>Thank you so much blip. Actually, my confidence was shattered when I received my SAT score especially when I am an international student. But your post and the fact that Kenyon actually admitted a 1000++ SAT score student shows otherwise. And yup, I am sending in my ED I application soon!! Really hope to meet you guys at Kenyon next fall!</p>

<p>I don't mean to discourage you, screwup, however, the only reason why the Admissions committee was willing to look past it was because the applicant was a musical phenomenon and a "once-in-a-lifetime". </p>

<p>Although there is no doubt that Kenyon cares more about the applicant himself than his SAT scores. I say you have nothing to worry about as long as you show promise through grades, the essay, the supplemental questions, and your passions.</p>

<p>Thanks for your objective comments! I am taking the SAT II in Nov and expect to get around ~750 for 3 SAT II subjects: Maths II, Physics and Chemistry. I wonder whether that helps?</p>

<p>i think that the admission process is very unpredictable, and even more so for the international student. as such, from what i have seen at kenyon, this place values ur interest so i think it a great idea to keep in constant touch with the college. since u r an intl student, i dont know if u have the option to come visit or not but if u do, u should definitely try and visit the campus. i have a feeling that if u fly in from a foreign country for a visit and put up a good application, your chances of getting in will soar.</p>

<p>Hey guys! I, too, have some worries about admission to Kenyon. I know it is impossible to statistically calculate admissions at any institution, but, given my stats below, how would I stand? I have a 93 unweighted average at a very selective private school and, although my school doesn't rank, I rank in the top 13% out of a class of 220. My course load, however, isn't very, very challenging: I have two AP's this year (Gov't and Eco., and English) and I am continuing math (pre-calculus), but I am not continuing science (3 years), I am taking a level 1 German course, and an elective called "Writing and Film." My SAT scores aren't that flattering, either. My combined best scores (I actually dis worse on my most recent testing): V 660, M 590, and W 670. However, I am very involved in theater, having musically directed 4 productions, as well as acted and played piano in them. I have received many awards in piano competitions. Also, I am vocal composer for a new musical produced by a youth theater group, involving young adults from around the country; it will have a national tour, ending in Times Square. I have also showed a lot of interest in Kenyon, participating in a tour, interview, and overnight visit. However, since my academic stats aren't phenomenally stellar, what are my chances of aid?if I even got in? I know Kenyon doesn't have the largest endowment in the world and my parents can't afford the tuition even with need-based aid. Should I apply ED, even if the cost is a problem, to enhance my application? It is my first choice after all. I don't know. I asked a lot of questions. Can someone help?</p>

<p>Their merit aid seems to be limited and somewhat unpredicatable but our experience is they are fairly generous with need based including substantial grants as opposed to loans</p>

<p>Hey Potter, from what I know from the Dean of Admission, ED is not binding if you are not able to commit financially. I dont know how you will be reviewed but if you love, dream and know that Kenyon is where you want to be for the next four years, just follow your heart and apply ED!!! And wow, it's great to see that you are a vocal composer...</p>

<p>And Chochu444, I really hope to be able to go visit Kenyon in December or early next year. I may be visiting my sister who is now in Penn. So an overnight stay at Kenyon may be possible. Are there still clases or tour in December??</p>

<p>Screwup, you can probably tour campus any time during the year. However, classes end mid-December in prep for exams which this year end on Dec 21st. If you are going to try to stay over with a student, I would suggest you visit the first two weeks of Dec. rather than later. While your at it, you should schedule an interview with admissions. Here is a link to this year's academic schedule: <a href="http://www.kenyon.edu/x26254.xml%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.kenyon.edu/x26254.xml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>"First semester ends at 4:30 p.m." I didnt know things at Kenyon can be so precise and accurate. That sounds so cool.. haha, so it means that people will be counting down to 4.30 p.m.??</p>

<p>I have an admission interview already. So I guess if I were to go to Kenyon, most probably I will be touring the campus only since "December 21, Wednesday Student residences close at noon" and I can only go there around late December. Or perhaps I will schedule my visit in Jan or maybe early next year. =)</p>

<p>I would encourage you to wait to visit until students are there and classes are in session especially if your visiting during grey winter months. The small LAC's have different persoanlities that require their students presence to be revealed.</p>