Chances @ Wesleyan, Vassar?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I have posted before, but with the January 1st deadline looming (even though I've long since finished my apps) and a handful of changes in my scores, schools, etc, I'm going to give it another go.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>~~~</p>

<p>Me: middle-class white girl, parents deceased, first-generation college student, strong writer but an abysmal math student, attending a competitive public high school in surburban New England (moved mid-sophomore year from an underperforming high school and have spent the last two years playing catch-up with the smart kids). My biggest concern is that I have only taken two AP courses because of all the prerequisites that I had to first complete when I moved here. My essay might be a bit risky (written as a first-person narrative about my grandmother rather than a "I overcame...") but I think it could stand out and help me a lot.</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA - Unweighted: 3.91 (my school does not weight or rank)
Class Rank: approx. top 15%
Class Size: 244</p>

<p>APs:
English Lit & Comp (current grade: 96)
World History (current grade: 92)</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 610
SAT I Critical Reading: 780
SAT I Writing: 710
SAT II Literature: 760
SAT II Math Level 1 (IC): 680
SAT II World History: 700</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Theatre (actor, costumer, director -- through HS, community theatre, summer theatre camp where I was a counselor last summer) -- also, secretary of HS theatre org.
Dance (jazz, ballet, hip-hop)
Model UN (Undersecretary General)
Newspaper (contributing writer/photgrapher)
Concert Choir
Gay-Straight Alliance (head of fundraising committee)
National Honor Society
Diversity Club
Spanish Club
Theatre Ambassador @ local professional theatre</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
Fundraising coordinator for summer theatre camp scholarship program
intern @ local community theatre</p>

<p>Honors and Awards:
National Merit Commender Scholar
Honors junior English portfolio</p>

<p>Top choice schools: Wesleyan, Vassar, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Bard</p>

2

<p>If you've taken mostly honors classes, then I'd say you have a decent shot at Vassar and Wesleyan. </p>

<p>EC's are good/great
Rank is good/decent
Scores are good/decent
GPA is good</p>

<p>I'd say, therefore your chances at those schools are good! The first generation student may tip the scales in your favor at Wesleyan and Vassar.</p>

<p>I'm applying to those too, and I'd say our chances are about equal, so good luck to you too!!</p>

3

<p>That's the problem, though, for me. I attended an agricultural HS through February of my sophomore year (read: I went to school on a working farm), and as much as I refuse to regret going, it really put me behind academically. I've worked hard to get on-par with the brilliant kids at my current HS, but I haven't taken nearly as many honors courses as I could have if I'd been here since freshman year. :(</p>

<p>I'm so nervous about this whole thing... thanks, though, and good luck to you, too!</p>

4

<p>Don't worry... admissions when your "on the edge," like you and me are, is really just a crapshoot. It's randomness.</p>

<p>Even without the honors courses, if you can explain the reasons in anyway, I think your chances are still pretty good. Your extracurriculars have the potential to stand out in the admissions office.</p>