Chances @ Wes?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wesleyan University
1

<p>First of all, I understand that my stats are not perfect. If I had ridiculously outstanding stats, I wouldn't be asking to be chanced . Furthermore, these are not the only schools I am applying to. I have 2 safety schools, I would just like to be chanced for the colleges I'm unsure about. I am doing this because I would like to see some different perspectives on my chances at certain colleges, I think this will definitely help me in the application process.
I am interested in double majoring in Humanities (history, philosophy, literature, art, music, etc.) and French. I understand that each school on this list may not have a Humanities major, however most, if not all, of the schools that do not have a Humanities Major do have an Independent Major. Even if the Independent Major is not available, I could always major in a specific subject within the humanities if it meant getting a stellar education.
I feel a little uncomfortable attesting to my own personal character to online strangers, however I guess I'll have to deal with it... I have been told by my teachers that I have great character. Furthermore, teachers have told me I am a quirky and bright individual who any school would be lucky to have. I've also been told if I can demonstrate my personality in my applications and interviews, then my chances of going to a top school will be good. I have done a lot with my ECs and outside interests and they all connect to what I am interested in (at least I think so).
I appreciate any insight/help I can get. If there are any schools you would like to recommend, please feel free! And last of all: thank you so much.</p>

<p>PS - I would prefer if you would give a rough estimate as the percent of my chance. . I know that this cannot be exact and no one can be sure about these things, I just think it will give me a better idea than simply "reach", "match", "in". Thank you again!</p>

<p>Stats:
- Male
- Suburb of Boston, MA
- Junior, rising senior
- my high school sends some grads to top schools (depends on what you consider "some" and what you consider "top schools). My school has sent students to Boston College, Boston University, Oberlin, Occidental College, Cornell, Tufts, Swarthmore, Wellesley, etc.
- GPA: 93.3 unweighted / no weighted GPAs
- class rank: 47/386 = 12.2% (will most likely [if not definitely] be better next year)
- SATs CR/M/W: 660/610/710 = 1980
- I haven't taken the SAT IIs yet, will be taking them in English and French
- I have only received one rec yet and it was amazing, but it will most likely be used as an additional rec because it is from my singing teacher.
- My essay is not completed, but I've been told the beginning I have is great</p>

<p>ECS:
- Amnesty International
- National Honor Society
- Philosophy Club
- Select Choir
- Future Teachers of America</p>

<p>Outside Interests:
- Regional Select Choir
- Foreign exchange: 2 weeks in France
- award-winning photography for Enterprise Bank
- writing and photography are published in school's literary magazine
- piano lessons
- peaceful protest in Boston ("The Rescue")
- Schools for Schools organization
- member of a group dedicated to bringing free, safe fun to the city of Boston
- personal blog
- write on a Philosophy Forum with members of my Philosophy Club (Philosophy Club was discontinued, so we use this instead)</p>

<p>Scholastic Honors:
- Honors Award ("summa")
- 6 student recognition awards</p>

<p>Leadership:
I'm one of the most active members in my Amnesty International Club, I am a volunteer French teacher, and next year I will hopefully be Chief Editor of my school's writing center program that helps students with their essays. Unfortunately for me, the activities that I do have little "leadership positions". I do what I like, though.</p>

<p>Volunteer Services:
- teaching French to elementary school students (80+ hours)
- National Honor Society English tutor (? hours)
- Writing Center program (? hours)
- Community Day</p>

<p>Employment:
- none so far</p>

<p>Future:
- I plan on taking voice lessons senior year
- I plan on volunteering at a French library in Boston
- I plan on retaking the SATs at least one more time and hopefully raising my score to over 2000, but who knows :P
- Taking the SAT IIs in the fall</p>

<p>+:
With my applications I am planning on submitting a recording of my singing, a CD with examples of my photography, and possibly ONE additional rec from my voice teacher</p>

2

<p>I hate to do this, because you sound like an awesome person, but if you want an honest estimate, your chances of getting into Wesleyan are pretty low. If you look at the admissions stats for last year (<a href=“http://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/Profile2013.pdf[/url]”>http://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/Profile2013.pdf&lt;/a&gt;) you’ll see that your SATs and your class rank both put in you the bottom quarter of the admitted students. This in itself isn’t a curse, but you don’t really seem to have any extracurriculars and leadership experience that stand out (though I think it’s very admirable you seem to do your extracurriculars out of pure engagement, not application padding! WesAmnesty could use more devoted folks). I wish you the best of luck, but I’d estimate your chances at around 15%. As always with small schools like Wes, the personal touch can make a big difference, and an outstanding essay could get you in.</p>

<p>Also look into Wesleyan’s “College of Letters” program as a general Humanities program - you might like it!</p>

3

<p>If you do ED and really show your personality, I would say 50/50 at best. RD, 25%. Unfortunately, I have to agree with madjoy. Even though your ECs, along with your interests are true and genuine, there isn’t really a ‘hook’ per se that makes you stand out in comparison to everyone else. Maybe you could contact a music or photo professor and see if there’s anything they can do to boost your app… Regardless of where you wind up, you will be fine. You seem to have a charisma that extends beyond numbers; you just have to convey that in your app.</p>

4

<p>Thank you both so much for your honesty and guidance! I understand Wesleyan is highly competitive. I am going to re-take the SATs and hopefully be able to raise my score to over 2000, but I can’t say for certain if I can do it. And for what it’s worth I am taking twice as many APs this year, so I am expecting my class rank to go up.</p>

<p>I looked into the College of Letters program and absolutely love it! Do you know if any other schools have something like this (I know Yale does, but preferably one easier to get/the same to get into as Wes :P)</p>

<p>And I am not sure about contacting a professor – I don’t really know what I would say to them! </p>

<p>Thank you again!</p>

5

<p>imsolidmatter, I am a University professor. I am happy to read over any draft emails you might want to send, and comment as to whether I would welcome something like that. Just PM me…</p>

6

<p>One caveat, I am not an arts professor, and can in no way judge strategies for supplements to your application. In all honesty, I just returned from Wes and they are so helpful. Why not sign up for their email list, read their web page on arts supplements, and if there are questions, ask them directly. I got the sense that they are happy to help you make your best case. In any event, that process will help your competitiveness at all schools.</p>

<p>We also visited Bard, which seems especially nurturing of the arts, but is non-conformist to the max.</p>

7

<p>Wow, thank you very much Nigiri! I sent you PM concerning supplements, etc. I have looked into Bard, but I believe it may be just as difficult to be accepted to as Wesleyan.</p>

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<p>We just visited Bard. I don’t think it is nearly as selective. It is a quirky place, but has some very interesting and strong points. I would sum it up as a place for students that have so far been too smart to succeed.</p>

9

<p>I’m not doing this simply to bump this thread, but I have some more to say.</p>

<p>For leadership positions ::

  • I will be the Chief Editor of my school’s Writing Center. Last year I was the only junior who was an editor at the Writing Center.
  • I will also be the president of my school’s select chorus this year</p>

<p>SATs ::
I’m re-taking the SATs in October, and maybe again in December. I plan to begin studying next week, so hopefully I can raise my score. I know this has no solid impact on my application yet, since it has not happened. However, I will plan on posting my results later on! </p>

<p>Question ::
Does Wesleyan superscore SATs?</p>

10

<p>

I’m pretty sure, yes.</p>