Chances of me becoming a Reedie?

<p>Hello! I'm applying to Reed College Regular Decision and would like to know my chances of getting in...My numbers aren't exactly great but here it goes!..</p>

<p>Colleges:
Reed College
Connecticut College
Oberlin College
Sarah Lawrence College
American University of Beirut (haha)</p>

<p>I go to the American Community School of Beirut, Lebanon. I'm fluent in English, Arabic, and Spanish. Lived in Lebanon for 4 years...Miami for 14</p>

<p>GPA: 3.58
SAT I: Math: 640, CR: 620, Writing: 670
SAT II: Spanish Reading: 660 Math I: 670</p>

<p>I am a full IB Diploma Candidate (Highers are: Middle Eastern History, Psychology, and English)</p>

<p>Extra Currics:
Choir- 3 years
Debate and Forensics- 2 years...Won First Place Debate this year
Track and Field- 2 years...Won Second Place last year
Worked with Palestinian Refugees for Two Years
Took a 3-week Law Course at Cambridge University
I've been writing for the school paper for 3 years
Model United Nations- 3 years</p>

<p>Awards:
Honor Roll for 4 years
Nominee for NHS for 2 years (declined the nominations as I believe NHS is too elitist)
Full IB Diploma Candidate</p>

<p>No Employment experience :S</p>

<p>I also need your opinions concerning my "Why Reed" essay...I'm still working on mine and I've chosen to write about how I greatly procrastinated throughout my high schol career because it was the only way I could work. I needed to add pressure to myself where there was none and I then link it to how I've subconsciously been preparing myself for Reed's academic rigor. I then go on to discuss how Reed would give me the out-of-this-world workload that I need in order to work to my full potential..
Is this a good, creative topic to discuss? Or does it paint a disastrous image of me being unable to handle high school workload? </p>

<p>Thank you very much!! Please be COMPLETELY honest :)</p>

<p>Hi Rita (I recognize you from a facebook query):</p>

<p>I wouldn't worry about the numbers too much. I got accepted with a 3.35 UW GPA and still heard through the grapevine I was an "exceptionally strong candidate". Your application is generally strong, and so nothing will keep you out except a perceived lack of fit or a perceived lack of what they call "spark" - you need to show academic accomplishment, which you have, but subjective things are weighed heavily. But I think you have much to make you stand out (trilinguality etc.)</p>

<p>Also, my aunt teaches at the Cairo-American College, and often kids from her school get accepted to Reed - it seems to be a good fit for expat children and the like, and they seem to appreciate the diversity.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Get a new essay. Most colleges want students who show they have some direction.</p>

<p>My son said, "Well, I feel the same way (delaying work, etc), but I didn't put that in my essay!" He also says, WRT to the idea that having a big hard courseload will make you become a good student: "Uh, you'd like to think it works that way, but it doesn't." Yeaaaaah. My impression is that he's waiting to transform into that full potential student, but not so much yet, and it's almost halfway through the process.</p>