Chances for NESCAC and Other LACs

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi,
I’m a current junior and I’m constructing my college list on the side. So far (as is evident from my other post), I’m interested in both state schools known for excellent CS/Engineering programs and small liberal arts colleges. Come senior year, I’ll probably apply to both types of schools and then decide where to go (if I get in, that is.)

Can anyone inform me as to which of these liberal arts colleges are reaches and which are somewhat more reasonable, so that I know which ones are worth the application fee? Also, after having checked the stats, I’ll probably apply Early Decision to one of these colleges – can someone please tell me which is the best bet based on the info provided?

I’m not necessarily bound to a specific major – I’m more like one of those soulless kids who only does ECs to look good. That being said, you should evaluate my chances with my current EC direction.

College List: Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Colby, Hamilton, Davidson, Haverford, Colgate, Vassar, Richmond

My “thing” is unifying computer science and humanities through developing software to solve social problems and promoting CS literacy (I teach classes).

My Stats:
GPA: 4.2 weighted 3.7 unweighted (very strong upward trend)
Predicted GPA after junior year: 3.8 unweighted 4.3-4.4 weighted
ACT: 36 Composite (aced it first try, yeet)
Subject tests: Planning to take English, Math II, and Physics or Chem
AP Tests: 5 on AP Euro, 5 on AP CS Principles
Jr. year course load: Maximum, 5 APs 1 Honors
Personal details: Asian Male in California

Will a weak freshman year (lots of Bs) disqualify me even though I showed much stronger performance sophomore year (and hope to continue doing so this year, fingers crossed) while taking even more rigorous courses?

Extracurriculars:

  • NHS, FLHS
  • Board member of Creative Writing Club
  • Board member of Quiz Bowl team, best player in school, great tournament record
  • Teach coding classes at local library
  • Did quite a few hackathon-winning projects that tied together CS and public policy/social justice

Even this early on I have no doubt that I’ll nail the essays; if there’s one thing I have confidence in it’s my writing ability (not rly showcased on this site lol.)

That’s basically it. Extracurriculars could be improved upon, but nothing much more to say. What do you think?

2

ECs shouldn’t define your soul, so I hope you develop a personal philosophy that will help you better recognize your inner qualities.

You have a chance at several colleges from your group, with Vassar (statistically more accommodating for male applicants) being one of your more likely options from the schools you listed on its level.

URichmond would seem to be a fairly likely admit.

If you think it reasonable to trim out the ultra-selectives (and it might be), then avoid those with microscopic acceptance rates.

Hamilton performs well in CS in the context of other liberal arts colleges, and could be a nice choice for your interests:

https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/comp-sci-department-hosts-college-computing-conference

https://cs.hamilton.edu/ccscne/

3

Thank you for the Vassar info, and yes, I’ll look more into Hamilton. I heard they like writing skill too, so there’s that.

Could you give similar info on my chances for the rest of the schools on my list? I know Amherst, Midd, and Bowdoin are likely reaches but I still don’t know where I stand with Haverford, Davidson, and Colgate, which all seem like attractive choices.

4

Middlebury may also be a possibility, because of its strengths in creative writing, though your GPA is a bit low, though your upwards trajectory is good (and have a GC write in your LoR). However, if you also want CS, I think that Wellesley is a great choice among LACs. Again, your GPA will be a bit low, but the right essay and LoRs may go along way.

Richmond is an excellent choice - your GPA is within the mid 50%, and your ACT is in the top 25%. You’d overall, be a very strong applicant for Richmond.

You may also want to look at the Midwestern LACs - places like Macalester, Grinnell, or Kenyon, and perhaps Carleton as a reach. You may also wantto check out Reed

How to applicants with your stats fare in each of these colleges?

5

To be honest, I don’t think Carleton is too much of a reach for me, but it’s also my unspoken top choice due to its strengths in CS. Applying there is a given, as I don’t think they have an application fee. Also, I’m a guy, so not Wellesley, haha.

Then again, most of these schools are reaches even for Ivy applicants (check that 13% Amherst acceptance rate lol).

I’m also probably applying to Grinnell (no application fee either). Not Kenyon or Macalester, as I’m trying to limit myself to really big-name LACs here (not that LACs’ greatest virtue is their name recognition, but still.)

Again, I’m probably going to apply ED to one or two of these (two cycles, right?), which should substantially boost my chances. Would Middlebury be a good bet for this? I really like the school from what I’ve heard, and I want to determine which of them to show interest in.

Also, do you have any input on Haverford, Davidson, and Colgate? Haverford seems unpredictable: I know a friend who was rejected ED from it but got into Boston College RD.

And especially with the New England schools, does my race give me a boost? I’ve heard those schools are really WASPy.

6

I think you will get serious consideration at those schools with your stats, but all are so selective that there can be no assurances of what will happen.

As for your question, your race could play a bit to your favor at some of these schools, particularly the more remote ones (like Colby?) and be the “finger on the scale”.

Haverford is very selective so it’s hard to predict. I think you would find your odds better at Colgate and Davidson.

More important, though, given where you are in the process, is to really work out fit. You seem to have found schools that are reasonable for your stats. Now you need to figure out what environment you like. Will you be able to visit? These schools have very different “feels” to them. I would be surprised if both Vassar and Colgate were equally appealing “on the ground.” This is particularly important if you are thinking about ED. Carleton does sound like a good option for you.

It’s a bit bigger and less remote than what you have on your list, but Tufts Human Factors Engineering program might interest you. ( NESCAC school not like the others.)

7

Thank you for the Tufts recommendation; Tufts will probably be less of a reach than Amherst, but still a definite reach for me.

I’m applying to Colby regardless, as they don’t have an application fee. I’m starting to think that the lack of a fee was a tactic to drive down admit rates?

I’m currently really liking Middlebury and Hamilton. Guess I’ll have to visit their campuses to decide which I like better. Also, on a side note, as a Californian, I am NOT ready for New England winters, haha.

8

Haverford is one of the most selective colleges in the country, so I’d regard it along these lines rather than as unpredictable per se. Beyond the implications of its 16% (overall) acceptance rate, Haverford enrolls a student body with consistently high academic qualifications.

9

Its ED acceptance rate is comfortably over 40%. When I said “unpredictable,” I meant that Boston College’s RD acceptance rate is significantly lower than that. The friend himself (happy at Boston College now so he’s not too salty) says that it’s because a lot of the ED class at Haverford is filled with sports recruits.

Poor word choice of “unpredictable” on my part. Also, I wouldn’t run into the same problem with Hamilton or Vassar, right? Neither are really known for sports. I do know Midd is fairly good at sports, so there’s that.

10

Does your high school send kids to these LACs? At our school, very few kids go to LACs and the ones who do are recruited athletes. What that means for the non-athlete with very impressive stats and ECs is that they get waitlisted…especially at the NESCACs. I think these schools think the kids won’t attend if they don’t apply ED.

We are in the Midwest and Carleton/Grinnell are a different story. We do send two or three kids to each school each year and they aren’t necessarily athletes. I think these schools are just more familiar with our high school.

Davidson gets maybe two apps from our school each year. Last year, S19 got in RD but he showed a ton of interest and we also visited and talked to the AO while there.

My point is that you should look at the results from your high school as I do think they matter even more for LACs than for unversities.

11

Our experience with smaller schools is they have a higher percentage of the student body that are athletes simply because they need to fill out a whole array of teams, in the case of Hamilton, they need to fill 28 teams but only have 1800 students. That being said, they still need to build an entire community with students possessing unique talents and interests. While grades and test scores are important, it is equally important to think about what you can bring to a campus community that essentially replaces 25% of its population every year.

At each LAC and NESCAC school we’ve visited, they have gone in-depth about community engagement and wanting the school and community to feel cohesive, not two independent entities. A few, including Colgate, have moved their bookstores off campus and into town so students and the community can interact.

12

As noted by @helpingmom40 and in the article below, Hamilton is pretty athletic, actually:

https://www.newsweek.com/25-schools-stocked-jocks-71873

13

Well that’s a fat rip lol @merc81

@homerdog idk if my high school peers apply to NESCAC (most of them just apply to CMC/HMC/Pomona) but I’ll probably be EDing either Middlebury or Haverford and ED-II-ing Hamilton or Vassar if I don’t get into my first choice ED. The fact that I’m applying ED should assuage these colleges’ fears of me not attending, right?

Also, how should one best show interest in LACs? It’s a bit more difficult as they’re remote and their profs teach more than they do research.

14

Your stats are strong, and I would be surprised if the schools currently on your list would flatly deny your applications and not offer you an acceptance or waitlist (which of course would not be helpful). Friends of my S19, with stats lower than yours, were accepted to Davidson (RD), Haverford (RD) and Bates (got off waitlist), while two others with stats similar to yours were accepted in the ED round at Amherst and Willams. If you are aiming for Amherst, Bowdoin or Williams, then I strongly recommend picking one and apply in its ED round.

15

@deneuralyzer ED will be your friend for sure. Showing interest? I would sign up for alumni interviews if they offer them. I know Midd does since S19 did one here. I would also sign up for the email lists and open those emails. And, in the cases where the schools have supplemental essays, dig deep into their websites if you haven’t visited and come up with real reasons why you fit there. How will you contribute on campus? Be specific.

16

My guess is that “Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Colby” are all reaches.

At one daughter’s school the applicants to Bowdoin with 4.0 GPAs were all turned down, although one student got accepted with a 3.5 GPA (unweighted), so you never know for sure.

17

ED is the best way to show you’ll go if accepted! Just be sure you have visited in advance when school is in session and know you will like it.

I believe that Colby dropped their application fee when they launched a serious effort to increase SES diversity. It is a bit more inviting than requesting a fee waiver. It almost certainly has also increased the # of applications which means it’s important to engage to show interest. But I think you may be successful in your early rounds and may not need that info. ;?
.

18

Colgate is a great school and definitely on the rise. Keep it on your list and visit it if you can. (FYI, there are a lot of Californians there.)

19

I will definitely look into Colgate. Thanks all for the info!

20

I really like your writing style. You are a good writer, and this is clearly evident. Def agree with all of the advice you’ve been given above.

Do you need financial aid? This will be an important issue in some of the colleges above (not all).