<p>Hiya,</p>
<p>Dartmouth denied my ED application, so I'm wondering how you think I will fare with these other fine institutions. I have my own opinion and I'll be applying to them in any case, but I'd like to hear what you guys think.</p>
<p>Colleges:
1) Tufts University
2) Boston College
3) Boston University
4) Northeastern University</p>
<p>My Background:
White, protestant, upper-middle class kid from white-collar Boston suburb. (good start, right?)</p>
<p>My High School:
Fairly competitive public MA high school.
Class size: 413
Go onto 4-year college: 92%
Average ACT: 25.6
Average SAT:
Reading- 573
Math- 600
Writing- 575
National Merit:
9 Semi-finalists
47 Commendations</p>
<p>My Academics:
GPA: 3.5 (unweighted on 4.0 scale)
Class Difficulty:
English (4 years)- Hardest available
Math (4 years)- Hardest available
Science (4 years)- Mostly hardest available
History (4 years)- Mixed difficulty
French (only 3 years)- Standard college prep
Current Schedule (w/ Q1 grades):
AP Physics (Lab)- A
Psychology (w/ AP enrichment course)- A
AP Calc BC- B
Shakespeare I- A-
AP Statistics- A
Concert Band- A
Academic Honors:
National Merit Commended Student
Honor Roll- both semesters junior year, both semesters sophomore year (no honor roll released for senior year, yet)
Aside: I got a C first semester in Intensive Geometry during my Freshman year. It looks ugly, but will it have a big effect on admissions?
ACT Composite: 34 (10 writing subscore)</p>
<p>My Activities:
Volleyball:
Two seasons of JV play, JV captain as sophomore. Two seasons of varsity play (played under league MVP as junior, projected starter as senior). I want to play club in college. Wrote short Common App piece about this.
Ski Team:
Alpine and cross country. One season of JV. Three seasons of varsity, alpine captain as senior. Awarded twice for top ten combined (alpine + xc) skiing in league (hopefully I'll come in first this season), most improved alpine award as a sophomore.
Trumpet:
Played since 4th grade. 4 years of high school concert band. 4 years of high school student-run pep band (current co-leader). Many years in church chamber group (Collegium Musicum). Played in high school musical Kiss Me Kate as a senior.
Sunday School Teacher:
Stand out teacher for students from pre-K through 5th grade at my UCC church. Wrote main Common App essay on this.
Peer Leader Internship:
Mentoring an 8th grader at the local middle school (just senior year). 1 hour time commitment per week. Training included review of VISIONS guidelines.
& various other, smaller community service activities.</p>
<p>Other Application Goodies:
Recs:
Two teacher recs and one other rec. First teacher I had for American Lit and Irish Lit, two highest level english classes. I read it and it was amazing; it highlighted my maturity, character, and excellent writing abilities (which may not shine through so well in this thread, but please forgive me). Second teacher I had for Intensive Advanced Math. Didn't read it, but he claims he puts a lot of thought and effort into his recs, whatever that means. Third rec from director of aforementioned Collegium Musicum director. I told him to focus on my character and work ethic rather than my musical ability, since I'm not applying as a music major.
Essays:
I took an essay course to help direct my ideas for the college essay. For the main common app essay I wrote about a moving moment for me as a Sunday School teacher. It's well written and edited, so I'm sure it will help me. Smaller writing samples also solid. Still working on those supplements (any advice here, especially with the Tufts supplement, would be helpful).</p>
<p>Let me know if there's any info which I left out. I'd appreciate any chances or other comments from anyone. Feel free to tear me a new one about my lackluster GPA you smarty pantses out there, but please try to stay on topic and let me know what you think about my chances or the other things I brought up.</p>