Hi I’m wondering about my chances of getting into Colby. I am a junior at a public high school in MA and I just visited the college the other day. I absolutely fell in love. From the absolutely beautiful campus, to the caring community to their Jan Plan, Colby really is the place for me in my opinion. Just as a background, I am one of 5 kids (middle class family), so we would not be able to pay the full tuition. I have been dancing ballet since I was 3 years old at a fairly prestigious school for the arts, transferred from a public school to a private, catholic, all girls rigorous school, in middle school, but left this last year (going into my junior year) and went back to my hometown public school, due to financial reasons. Towards the beginning of high school my unweighted GPA was on the lower side (about a 3.7- 3.8) but sophomore year and junior year I brought it up to a steady 3.96. I know colleges like to see growth and I am also still a junior so if I can keep raising it will that help? I have yet to take the SAT but my PSAT score was 1230. I did Model UN sophomore year at my old school, did volunteer work with my church and school freshman and sophomore year, and this year I was on varsity cross country and track. I also started up (when I was in 6th grade) and still run a French camp for elementary age students. I was in a French immersion program so I am fluent in French. At this camp (6 hours/day, for 2 weeks during the summer) another friend and I plan activities and lessons such as learning about ancient Egypt, Rome, France, Greece, etc and then doing an art/interactive activity on whatever they learned, but everything is in French (they speak it, we speak it). Basically we focused on STEM, art, French grammar, literature, and history. This camp has been a great success and I have a lot of parents offering to write me a letter of recommendation. Academically, (just to highlight all of my “stand-out” classes) I was in honors English and history freshman year, honors Brit Lit and AP Euro sophomore year, and currently AP Language and Compostion, AP Psychology, AP Physics, and Honors French. Not sure what my rank in the class is. There was a mix up with NHS, I have the grades for it apparently but because I switched over in junior year they didn’t have time to put my in so they’re having me wait until senior year to join. This was a lot of info but I wasn’t sure how much I should put. I might be missing some things too. Basically I just want to know my chances of getting into Colby. Thanks!
I’ve heard wonderful things about Colby, so I’m not surprised you fell in love with it! However, it looks like you’ll really have to focus on your SAT score–a 1230 will not make you a competitive candidate. Your class rigor is high; and you have some interesting things to talk about through ECs for your essays, which will be very important for a college with only a 23% acceptance rate. Best of luck!
^ Acceptance rates are in the teens, but good advice above on the scores. Also, if you had good scores on your AP exams, self-report those.
I don’t know if it will help you get accepted, but some incoming freshmen start in France. If you are interested in that, you should make that clear because so many kids prefer to come to campus to start. It could help you as could applying ED.
@ChezCurie, as @gardenstategal notes, acceptance rate is about 17%. That 23% number is from three years ago.
@apeuro123, why not try the ACT? One of the for profit test study companies offers a free evaluative test (in a test setting) for a morning. Half of the test is SAT and half is ACT. They will send you the scores and you can assess yourself which test is better for you. You don’t have to sign up for the classes, although for sure that company will try to sell you on the classes after that free test.
I would also encourage you to take subject tests as you finish the class in school (e.g., take the biology subject test right after you finish biology in high school). Colby gives you the option of submitting three subject tests.
I want to encourage you as Colby seems such a good fit for you. 1230 is a much higher score than my daughter had in the PSAT in her sophomore year, and she has just got into Colby ED1. She applied herself in earnest to ACT prep in August, and took it in September and again in October getting a 29 and then a 31. You have time to develop this skill, and the rest of your resume seems so strong. Since finances are a factor, though, I think it is a really good idea to also explore less expensive but still excellent options. You will still be able to show Colby how enthusiastic you are by applying ED - if you are accepted, you are not obligated to attend if Colby doesn’t meet your financial needs.
I had a 1150 on my PSAT and ultimately got a 1400 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT. As long as you work hard and study, you can achieve any score! My brother also got a 25 first time he took the ACT and ultimately got a 34!
@apeuro123: After reading your post, you seem as though you would be a great addition to any class at any LAC (liberal arts college). I encourage you to apply to as many as 12 different colleges and universities.
You can increase your SAT score by studying for free at your own pace on the website Khan Academy.
Do you have an intended major area of study ?
What are you looking for in a college or university ?
How far are you willing to be from your home state of Massachusetts ?
Do you have any profession or career goal at this time ?
Although many might assert that it is somewhat of a reach school, Middlebury College in Vermont might be an interesting option for you to consider.