Chances, please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

<p>Washington State
Neither of my parents graduated from college
Rural farming town
Have spent my entire high school "career" at the local community college because my high school has terrible academics, so my GPA and rank include my college classes, but the school doesn't weight so...</p>

<p>HS rank: 8/200 (unweighted)
HS GPA: 3.88 (unweighted)
College GPA: 3.87
College Rank: Doesn't rank but I've been on the Dean's List every quarter since I started taking classes in 8th grade.</p>

<p>Class schedule:
Toughest classes I can take...I'm in the Honors Program at the community college
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Haven't had and will not have any physics...will this hurt me?</p>

<p>SAT: 2100 CR: 770 M: 670 W:660</p>

<p>SAT IIs: Bio-E = 660, U.S. History = 700, Literature = 780</p>

<p>Good essays (my English teacher suggested I submit one to be published in the college's yearly student writing anthology, so I guess they're pretty good). They describe me well, so that's the most important part.</p>

<p>Really, really great teacher recs (one talks about how I'm in school for the learning, not just the grade, and the other talks about how I'm one of the best students he's met - yay!)
Super counselor recommendation in school report</p>

<p>Extra Currriculars:
20-25 hrs. per week at local performing arts guild performing (I've had several lead roles, chorus roles, I've operated the light-board, sold ad space for the programs, worked as stage crew, and I'm stage managing the children's show this year...I'm also sending a stellar recommendation from my director)
8 hrs. per week Tae Kwon Do (Black Belt and recieved medals at state tournaments...right now I'm taking a break, though)
3 hrs. per week Honor Society vice-president at college
3 hrs. per week International Friendship Club executive committee member
Various volunteer things (approx. 4 hrs. per week) like Junior Achievement, helping out at a pro bono law office, etc. Also helped organize fundraiser for December 2004 Tsunami.</p>

<p>Work:
10-15 hrs. per week Event Coordinating at community college...I'm the chair of the Activities Committee, so I'm sort of the boss of the committee
10-12 hrs. per week Tutoring - I tutor elementary school children</p>

2

<p>you are golden</p>

3

<p>Mademoiselle, Your profile looks excellent for Williams. You should consider sending a tape or DVD a theatrical performance.
<a href="http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_appinstructions.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_appinstructions.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Also, be sure to emphasize your theater management and crew experience. There are plenty of actors, but people with backstage experience are in short supply. </p>

<p>I note on a separate thread that Williams may or may not be on your list. It’s not for everyone (visit!) but has a lively arts scene, more so, in fact, than the others you indicate. The new theater, by the way, is splendid. Have you seen it?</p>

<p>Lack of physics is a non-issue.</p>

<p>Best of luck on your Dartmouth ED. There is a lot of overlap between Dartmouth and Williams, so if things don’t work out with your first choice have your RD applications ready to go. :)</p>

4

<p>I took Williams off because I thought I'd never get in...but you guys give me hope! I can't visit it because I'm from Washington, but I'm definitely going to try to find out more. Thanks a lot!</p>

5

<p>Assuming you get in, try to visit before you go if that's at all possible.</p>

6

<p>why are u imploring prospective students to visit beforehand?</p>

7

<p>Because I think you should visit any school before you decide to go there. You should know what the place you're going to spend the next 4 years at is like.</p>

8

<p>I agree, you should definitely visit a place you're willing to spend four years in! For a middle class family that can't afford to make the trip, do you think they would give scholarship money for me to visit (assuming I get in, which I doubt)?</p>

9

<p>Williams is definitely a place that you either love or hate. For some, it is not a match. I loved it, and the majority of Williams students feel the same. One of my best friends fell into the same camp as Williams07student, and she happily transferred to a prestigious west coast university. Different strokes for different folks.. You should definitely visit before attending. However, applying is very different than attending.</p>

<p>If you could make a compelling argument regarding your finances, and you got in, the Williams adcoms would probably help to foot the bill. I know that they are trying to increase socioeconomic diversity. I don't know what sort of budgets the adcoms are dealing with.</p>

10

<p>It's possible that the college can help you pay for it; it would probably depend on a number of factors. I'm not sure what your budget is and it's certainly none of my business, nor do I know where in Washington you're coming from, but Alaska Airlines has flights from SeaTac to Boston for about $180 roundtrip. You could then take Amtrak from Boston to Pittsfield for around $35 roundtrip. You'd have to arrange for transportation from Pittsfield to Williamstown, but it's only about half-an-hour away, so it would be possible (I've done it more than once).</p>

11

<p>Alternately, you could fly into Albany... The airport is a hair less than an hour from campus (when I'm driving). It might be more expensive (but it would save you some time)</p>

12

<p>I actually live fairly close to SeaTac (only about an hour and a half) and as for my finances, my main problem is that my family is solidly middle class, but with lots of debt. But if I could stay at the college, that would make the round trip only $250 at the most. That would be something I could pay for myself! Thanks a lot for all the tips :)</p>

13

<p>During prospie days, there are vans that the admissions office charters between Albany and W-town. I would recommend flying into Albany and shelling out a bit of extra money.</p>

<p>The college would place you with a host student</p>

14

<p>Perfect! Now all I have to do is get in... :P</p>

15

<p>Albany is definitely more convenient. The reason I didn't mention it was because of the price (around $250-300 RT). If that's affordable though, it would definitely be easier.</p>