Chances for someone ridiculous!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vassar College
1

<p>I know these posts are annoying, but I'm really not sure of anything. And no, I'm not about to list perfect 800 board scores, a 4.0 UW GPA, and one billion and twenty-two thousand page EC list. I'm just a normal (well, very strange in real life, girl). </p>

<p>And so it goes:</p>

<p>Caucasian female from middle-class suburb in Pennsylvania. Highly ranked high school, 1900 plus students. Number one student in my class has a 4.62 weighted, I believe, to put things in perspective. </p>

<p>4.155 W, 3.8 (?) UW, 45/400 (top 11 percent, I believe)
2020 SAT 1 (hopefully I’ll raise it to a 2150) (770 Writing- 12 essay, 2 MC wrong) That’s my strong point, but unfortunately, they aren’t really looking at that)
Graduate with 5 AP (I received a 4 on English Lang Comp)
Pretty strong (but not great) course load (upward trend with GPA junior year-4.36 W); honors/seminars/AP
Haven’t taken SAT II yet</p>

<p>EC:</p>

<p>Editor-in-chief of Newspaper: yay! (highly ranked public school with 1900 + students)
Editor-in-chief and re-founder of the school literary magazine (published periodically)
Founder of the Literature Club (President) (10,11,12)
Co-founder of the Asian Awareness Club (11,12)
Best Buddies Associate member (9,10,12)
Library Aid (12th): involves one-two hours per day of shelving/cataloguing/etc.
Participant in the GIFTED (accelerated) program: 4th through 12th grade
Spanish National Honor Society
National Honor Society
Studying Japanese (Level 1) at language school in nearby city (every Saturday, 2 hours); unfortunately, my parents couldn’t afford a college course (checked out one at Villanova, but too pricey)
Community service is pretty strong (estimated time is unknown, as of now)</p>

<p>Employed at Bagel Shop (essentially a sandwich shop) for three years, part-time (9th through 11th) </p>

<p>Plan to major in Anthropology and minor in East Asian studies (focus in Japanese language)</p>

<p>I left out all EC that aren’t as significant (I.E focused on leadership roles; I suppose I‘ll include them on my application)</p>

<p>I know that I’m not especially strong as a candidate right now, but I’m hoping that with a 2150 SAT and solid grades in my APS next year I’ll have a chance. My essays/EC will most likely be my strong point. It’s definitely my character/effort put into explaining passion for literature/asian culture that’ll be beneficial. </p>

<p>Reach:
NYU
Vassar</p>

<p>Reach (match if SATs rise):
Bryn Mawr </p>

<p>Match:
Smith (I think?)</p>

<p>Safety:
UMASS- Amherst </p>

<p>If anyone has any other suggestions, they’d be greatly appreciated. I kind of half-assed this post, but only because my mother’s screaming at me to clean my room. Sorry for being so bland! Also, I sliced open my middle finger with a staple; as result, I’m not able to type proficiently.</p>

2

<p>I think Bryn Mawr would be a match but I could be wrong. Your SATs aren't bad but improvement will do nothing but help. Have you looked at Mount Holyoke? </p>

<p>The key to making yourself stand out at this point is going to be having a strong essay and good recommendations.</p>

3

<p>I've heard that Smith looks beyond numbers, and i don't think you'll have a problem getting in, if students with similar situations as yours frequently get in from your a school. Your essays best be fantastic. Keep the upward gpa trend. Your best bet (as far as context about where people like you got in and went) is people from your school in previous years with as similar situations as possible.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for your responses! I'm going to visit Smith in late August; I haven't really considered Mount Holyoke, though I've heard only good things. I was trying to keep my number of applications down to five or so (two reaches, two matches, one safety), but perhaps I'll tour Mount Holyoke also.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure that my essays will be okay; that's definitely my strong point (well, my passion).</p>