Chances for a southern WASP?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
1

<p>I am a white male applying RD… from Florida if that counts for anything.</p>

<p>Academics:
Cumulative GPA: 4.279
Class Rank: 30/580</p>

<p>Exams:
Advanced Placement:
English Language-5
Spanish Language-3
World History-4
Music Theory-4</p>

<p>International Baccalaureate:
Biology-4
Spanish-5</p>

<p>SAT 1:
Math-730
Critical Reading-750
Writing-720</p>

<p>SAT II:
Math I-710
Literature-690
Spanish-670</p>

<p>Honors:
Commended National Merit Scholar (11)
National Merit Scholar Semifinalist (12)</p>

<p>Competitions and Awards:</p>

<p>District Marching Festival, Superior (11,10,9)
District Jazz Festival, Superior (11)</p>

<p>Athletics:
Lacrosse
11-Varsity
10-Junior Varsity
Soccer
10-Junior Varsity
Activities:
Seminole High School
Marching Band (Bass Guitar, Timpani, Chimes)
12-Percussion Captain
11-Pit Section Leader (most improved section award)
10-Pit Section Leader
9-Pit Member
Jazz Band (Bass Guitar)
12-Vice President
11-Member
Show Band (12) Bass Guitar
Student Congressional Representative (11)
Sophomore Class Council Representative (10)
Wind ensemble (9) Bass Clarinet</p>

<p>Community
Church Band (12-8) Bass Guitar
Newspaper internship/column (12)</p>

<p>Volunteerism:
Pre-IB Summer Program, Teaching assistant (12)
Installing roofs on the houses of impoverished people (11,10)
Teaching Spanish an Elementary School (10)</p>

<p>My essay is a great non-cliched heart-warming tear-jerker.</p>

<p>Amherst is my favorite college. I’ve liked so many colleges over the past two years, but Amherst has always been up there, and usually it has been my favorite. I want to apply ED but my parents won’t let me. Do I stand a chance with RD?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot.</p>

2

<p>D applied RD and is a sophomore. Although Amherst has been able to maintain 50% men and women, the numbers of men applying at all colleges is dropping, so that is an advantage. If you can find out how many Floridians go there, that would give you an idea whether or not Florida would give you an advantage, as well. Your stats are in line, although a higher rank would certainly help. Perhaps checking with the coaches and possibly going as an athlete would help your chances. There are no guarantees in elite admissions. I know you said your essay was non-cliched tear-jerker, but it must reveal who you are. There are no interviews, so your essays are crucial. You will never know until you apply. You have as much of a chance as many other applicants. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the input.</p>

<p>My rank isn't the best, I know... but I am at one of the top schools in Central Florida... plus it's an IB magnet, so all the kids that would normally be 1-10 at the other schools come here. Out of the kids who are actually zoned for my school, I am pretty sure I'm number one, but that doesn't mean anything... The school report should clear that all up, I'm not trying to make excuses, I swear :).</p>

<p>I would love to play Lacrosse at Amherst, but I can't find the coach's email address for the life of me. I was recruited at Vassar, but I let that slip though the cracks, because I didn't like Vassar as much as Amherst... The jazz professors said that they could have some pull on my admission if they like my stuff, and I am a much better musician than I am a lacrosse player.</p>

<p>Haha, I hate how chancy these things are, but I guess that's half of the "fun"...</p>

<p>Thanks for the good wishes, too!</p>

4

<p>First, a disclaimer: my knowledge on Amherst admission is based on a small sampling of four kids (3 successful) from a single high school.</p>

<p>I think your class rank is fine as well as most of your stats and EC's. Your SATII scroes are on the low side, and the only one that broke through the 700 level is Math I rather than II. SATII are used to some degree to gauge on the degree of grade inflation in your school. If your school has supplied applicants, you can use their stat to get a good gauge on your own chance.</p>

<p>On the plus side (a very positive one), your messages came across with you being a well-adjusted and happy person, and hopefully the admission committe sees that as well in your assays.</p>

<p>Best wishes.</p>

5

<p>Hey, thanks a lot for the input.</p>

<p>I know my SAT II scores are low... but I really don't feel like retaking them. I don't think they'll kill me in the admissions process... and if they do then it wasn't meant to be, and I'm sure something else will come along. </p>

<p>Haha, I do think that I am a happy person... I am one of the most stable people I know... I'm the concrete pillar for all of my friends, ha. I gotta make sure the essays reflect some of my uniqueness... or what I hope is uniqueness.</p>

<p>Thanks again :)</p>

6

<p>for being "one of the top schools in central FL" yalls mock trial team isn't all that impressive. maybe thats just one weakness though</p>

7

<p>And I'm not in mock trial, so I don't really see how that pertains to anything... ha.</p>

8

<p>it didn't really pertain to you I just found it interesting being a fellow central floridian. just an observation sorry.</p>

9

<p>What team do you play for? I live in Tampa and I played for Plant (state champs)</p>

10

<p>I think you definitely have a decent shot of getting in. I would rate your chances (if you apply ED) at about 50%.</p>