Chances of Getting in W&M?

Colleges and Universities A-Z College of William and Mary
1

<p>Hi, I'm an in-state senior hoping to major in Biology. What are my chances? Thanks! :)</p>

<p>• 3.74 unweighted GPA, 4.13 weighted
• County does not rank, but I took the most rigorous course load I could
• Have taken 5 AP classes so far and will take 5 more in my senior year, scored all 5s and 4s
• I’m taking the ACT in September to hopefully break 33 or 34. I took the SAT once and got 2150 total- CR: 660, Math: 740, Writing: 750, 1400 CR+Math
• SAT II in Math 2: 790
• Will take SAT II in Molecular Bio and Chinese</p>

<p>ECs
• State Governor’s School for Agriculture (residential summer program, scholarship by state), 3-week intensive research project
• Intern at local doctor’s office- shadowing, summer research project
• Volunteer at a free clinic to ensure medical care to the underprivileged of my community, incorporating it into my school too
• Project Manager of school’s Medical Society
• School tutor- part of a group at school that tutors ESOL (English as a Second Language) underclassmen
• Science Olympiad Member
• Art Student outside of school
• Octagon Club member- community service at community centers, local parks, school, etc.
• Volunteer at library with Children's Summer Reading Program, book reviewing, etc.</p>

<p>Honors
• 6th place in Chem Lab and Thermodynamics at Regional Science Olympiad
• 4th place rank of 100 students at Gov School
• AP Scholar with Distinction Award
• Optimist Club (of my town) Youth Excellence Award recognition for achievements in Science
• 2nd place for State in Federal Duck Stamp Art Competition for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
• National Merit Commended Scholar (top 2.3% of the nation for PSAT score)
• Treasurer for National Science Honor Society
• Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) member
• National Honor Society
Honor Roll all throughout high school
• National English Honor Society
French Honor Society
• History Honor Society</p>

2

<p>Profile looks very solid and as is I would guess slightly better than 50/50 chance of admission (disclosure both of my sons got admitted to WM and the younger one will attend there this Fall). </p>

<p>The one wild card is the 3.74 UW GPA. Although your County does not rank, WM has experience with most (if not all) of the high schools in VA and will probably have a rough feel for how your GPA translates into class rank (plus applications from other students at your school will give them another measure). If you rank in top 10% then chances of admission in my view (another guess) go up from slightly better than 50/50 to a high match level 70 - 80%. Finally, in my view (last guess) your class rank will be more important to WM than bumping up the 660 CR, although that would not hurt either especially given your PSAT score. With a bit of study you might improve on that significantly. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>I read this profile differently than muckdogs07. I think your “numbers” are fine. Upon looking (closely) at your ECs - what fills you in as a person - I don’t see a lot of leadership. Two items stand out as possibilities - your Project Managing of the Medical Society and your incorporation of a free clinic into your high school. Are these solid leadership positions? If so, you need to really highlight them. Lots and lots (and lots) have your grades, class rank, # of APs, etc. It is the other stuff, especially leadership, passion and depth of involvement in your interests (which should match your ECs). Good Luck!</p>

4

<p>Agree with momneedsguidance on stressing leadership, if it exists, but note it is not a prerequisite as my youngest son can attest (had none). I think you have a solid array of ECs, with some depth, and believe the issue will come down to class rank as noted above. While WM is holistic, if your school uses Naviance, you will see there is a pretty tight band around the admission numbers and WM does not take many outside the top 10%.</p>