Chances at Lots of LACs?

<p>GPA: 3.86 uw, 4.3 w (the weighted should be higher but my major throws off the numbers) at a magnet school</p>

<p>Rigor: All honors and AP classes, will have taken 10 honors, 6 APs and at least one dual enrollment class by time of graduation. I also take an extra language for credit outside of school</p>

<p>Standardized Tests: SAT: 1930, ACT: 27. I am taking my subject tests in May and retaking both the SAT and ACT in June. If possible can you also chance as if I have a 2050...</p>

<p>ECs:
- Volunteer at The First Tee 300+ hours) and The Friendship Circle (100+ hours)
- Various youth group board positions (a mix of chapter and regional positions, all editor positions)
- Former Diller Teen Fellow
- Yearbook (ad and copy editor this year, editor in chief next year)
- NAHS (membership officer for 10th and 11th grade, favorite to be president next year)
- Math Club
- NACLO
- Junior Advisory Board for the First Tee (Vice-President this year)
- Advisory board at my library</p>

<p>Awards/Honors:
- Scholastic Gold Key (10, 11)
- Scholastic Silver Key (11)
- Carson Scholar (11)
- High Honor Roll (not a real honor, I know)</p>

<p>I will be submitting an art supplement...
Assume one great teacher recommendation, one good teacher recommendation, one great outside recommendation, an okay counselor one and decent but not amazing essays,</p>

<p>If possible please chance me for the following (I know the list is absurdly long)</p>

<p>Allegheny
Amherst
Bowdoin
Bryn Mawr
Chatham
Colgate
Denison
Dickinson (EA)
Franklin and Marshall
Gettysburg
Haverford
Juniata
Kenyon
Lafayette
Muhlenberg
Oberlin
Smith
Swarthmore (ED)
University of Chicago (EA)
Vassar
Wesleyan</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>When did you take the ACT and SAT?</p>

<p>It’s hard to know without those scores and the SAT II scores, since colleges do use those as a basis for comparing candidates on academic performance and GPA is murkier, with the same GPA meaning a different level of achievement from one school to the next.</p>

<p>Your assumption of a good but not amazing essay is problematic. Why shouldn’t you be able to write an amazing essay? Find a good book on essays and start exploring topics. Think about what sets you apart from other people. It doesn’t have to be something that’s obviously unique, but what are some of your perspectives on the world that make who you are?</p>

<p>I really do think you need stellar essays to have a chance at Amherst, UChicago, and Swarthmore. By stellar, I don’t mean something of publishable quality (though many people do have essays like that and it certainly wouldn’t hurt). Ultimately, schools that use a holistic admissions process are thinking this when they’re reading your application: How would this person contribute to the life of the college? What drives this person? Your voice is one way to show that you will, and consequently, it’s supremely important to pour your effort into your essays.</p>

<p>When did you take the ACT and SAT?</p>

<p>It’s hard to know without those scores and the SAT II scores, since colleges do use those as a basis for comparing candidates on academic performance and GPA is murkier, with the same GPA meaning a different level of achievement from one school to the next.</p>

<p>Your assumption of “good but not amazing essays” is problematic. Why shouldn’t you be able to write amazing essays? Find a good book on essays and start exploring topics. Think about what sets you apart from other people. It doesn’t have to be something that’s obviously unique on a surface-level, but it needs to show what drives you every day.</p>

<p>I really do think you need stellar essays to have a chance at Amherst, UChicago, and Swarthmore. By stellar, I don’t mean something of publishable quality (though many people do have essays like that and it certainly wouldn’t hurt). But ultimately, schools that use a holistic admissions process are thinking this when they’re reading your application: Would this person contribute to the life of this college? What drives this person? Your voice is one way to show that you will contribute to the life of the college, and consequently, it’s supremely important to pour your effort into your essays.</p>

<p>I took the ACT in December and the SAT in January and March (I am not using my January score)…</p>

<p>Any more ideas?</p>

<p>Hey ArtsyGirl13,</p>

<p>I’m going to speak solely for Denison and Haverford.</p>

<p>Denison shouldn’t be a problem . Your ACT score and SAT score are among their range and your GPA is beneficial to your case. Haverford is probably a reach. The average ACT score there is 32 and average SAT is 110 points higher than the 2050 you listed. Your EC’s, while not exceptional, are good. Write great essays and find reliable recommendations and it should be a low reach to high match.</p>

<p>Assuming your 2050 SAT:
Denison - Match
Haverford - Low Reach</p>

<p>PM me if you need anything -</p>

<p>Richard
Haverford Class of '17</p>