Chances: Bowdoin, Bates, U of Chicago

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello,
As you can guess by the title I was considering Bowdoin, Bates, and the University of Chicago and would like to know if I would stand a chance getting into these places or whether I should not even try. So here is some info:</p>

<p>ACADEMIC:
GPA: 3.8 unweighted, 4.1 weighted</p>

<p>Have taken nearly all advanced classes throughout high school. As far as AP's, last year I had English Language and Statistics, have not gotten test scores yet but got decent grades in the classes. This coming year I am signed up for US Government, English Literature, and US History.</p>

<p>My SAT score is 1930. I know Bowdoin and Bates do not require SAT. Do you think it would be better for me to submit it or leave it out for those two?</p>

<p>I do not know my class rank yet, but I would guess I am in roughly the top 10 or 15 percent, although I don't know, could be higher or lower.</p>

<p>NON-ACADEMIC:
I am involved in a ton of music related stuff. I play 3 instruments now and am trying to learn 2 more. I have been a member of all the various school bands for years (trumpet), have taken 10 years of piano lessons, and had my own band in which I played guitar and sang (poorly.)</p>

<p>I am an avid skier, although I doubt this really applies at all.</p>

<p>I will hopefully be getting the Eagle Scout award soon. This involves leading a community service project, which I guess they might like.</p>

<p>These have not yet happened, but this summer I am applying for a journalism workshop at a local college if its not already full, and was thinking about joining Model UN this fall.</p>

<p>Think that sums it up. I will probably major in Political Science, but am not sure. Please be honest about my chances, and if you think its hopeless, suggestions are appreciated. Tulane and Macalaster are other ones I was thinking of, I think they're a little easier to get into...?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Holden as in Caulfield?</p>

3

<p>Yeah. He's my hero lol</p>

4

<p>Bowdoin and UChicago are both top tier schools, with Bates in the second tier. Attaining Eagle Scout is significant and would help you at any of the three. Chicago might grab you if your essays are superlative (that is one of the big factors that sets the Windy city school apart from others) and Bowdoin might look at you from the standpoint of what you might add to the mix of its student body, but both Bowdoin and UChicago are "reach schools" from what you have outlined. . .</p>

<p>Bates is clearly attainable and I would suggest getting to know some of the professors in the poly sci department. Meet them on a visit, if possible and see what makes them tick. . . This is a seismic year on the national political scene. Read and absorb everything you can about the electoral college, for example. Know and understand, that a tie (269 each) could realistically occur in the November election. Process and analyze this data and compare the 2000 election, and the elections of 1824 and 1876 as well. I was a poly sci major before law school and am still animated about Bush/Gore in 2000.</p>

<p>Of course, there are many other ways to demonstrate your passion. Ask your Boy Scout leader and two other nonrelatives who have known you more than three years to describe YOU in 50 words or less.</p>

<p>I don't know much about Macalaster, except it is in Minnesota. Tulane took a national merit finalist from d's school last year. Both are within your academic profile.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Bates should be no problem, don't submit the SAT.</p>

<p>Bowdoin will be harder but possible for sure, Chicago is probably a no without higher SATs.</p>