<p>This is a collegeconfidential tradition. I know it helped when I was applying.</p>
<p>Hi, I'm Jessie from NC. My GPA is a 3.9 on a 4.0 scale (my school does not weight honors/AP), my SAT I is a 1520, and my writing SAT II score is 770. I'm still waiting for my scores on the Math IIC and French w/Listening. My sister applied to Amherst last year with approximately the same scores give or take ten points and got rejected so I'm concerned about my chances. Are these scores and grades average in the Amherst applicant pool? What can I do to differentiate myself from the others?</p>
<p>I'm also curious, as my gpa is a 3.93; My SAT score was 760V, 730M; And, my SAT II's were 750+. I'm applying ED, so any help would be great. :)</p>
<p>same here, 1500 SAT, SAT IIs are all around 780, with one 800 (IIC). I'm applying regular...any suggestions or comments?</p>
<p>cncm, I see that you are an international student. Your stats are relatively average for international applicants who tend to be filthy rich. If you fall into the filthy rich category, your chances are pretty good, but if you are applying for financial aid, admission is almost impossible if you don't have a special talent. Are you involved in any sports (a big plus) or have you won some kickass award?</p>
<p>Blaineko, ED will help a lot as well as your location which supposedly adds to geographic diversity (don't ask.) Might I ask what your extracurriculars are?</p>
<p>There's not much you can change now in terms of stats and extracurriculars, but the best advice I can give you is to write an interesting essay. Many applicants just rehash their acheivements or relay a story that, although well-written, does not tell the admissions committee anything about them. The key is to strike a balance between bragging and storytelling. Remember the old adage from English class: Show, don't tell. Also, use humor under no circumstances unless you are truly funny and multiple people laugh when they read it. Many people think something is funny because it appeals to them, but in reality their joke falls flat with a general audience.</p>
<p>Jessie, there's not much of a difference between a 1500-1600. I think the difference is peanuts, maybe two or three questions on each section. Colleges know this and take this into account. I had approximately the same score as you, and I somehow managed to get in. lol. Might I ask, what are your extracurriculars/ outside interests?</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Actually, I'm applying ED which is comforting. Too many extracurriculars to type out now. Fingers tired. I guess it will have to wait for tomorrow.</p>
<p>Thank you amherst08 for the thoughtful reply.</p>
<p>I'm actually the exact opposite of what you described. My family is not rich at all, in fact, quite the opposite. However, since Amherst is need-blind to all Canadian students, I didn't think it'd matter too much. In fact, if I applied for a fee waiver (i think Amherst has fee waivers) wouldn't it boost my chances as they'll see that i come from a background of limited resources?</p>
<p>I'm captain of a sport team, and have won a few minor awards in the sport (e.g. most valuable/improved player, etc). I've also participated in some contests and best I got was a top 1% national percentile ranking. My counselor also just told me this morning that i'm in the top 1% (Canadian schools don't rank) so i think i'm okay as far as GPA is concerned. Right now, I'm most worried about my essays...</p>
<p>Am I looking ok? I'm going to the Amherst Open House Weekend in a few hours, and they say 75% of those that get into that are accepted into Amherst. Also, I'm retaking SAT I in Nov. One last thing, I was really sick on the October date for SAT IIs (Proof: I was just in the hospital recently getting it checked on, etc)</p>
<p>Profile</p>
<p>School Type: Public
Location: PA
Race/Gender: African American/Black
Prospective Major: Political Science and Economics
Weighted GPA: 4.333
Class rank: 11 of 297 </p>
<p>SAT I Scores
SAT I Math: 740
SAT I Verbal: 610 </p>
<p>SAT II Scores
SAT II Writing: 610
SAT II U.S. History: 620
SAT II Math IIC: 720 </p>
<p>Long-form Info</p>
<p>Extracurricular Info
Sports
-JV Basketball (10th) </p>
<p>Clubs
-Journalism Club (9th)
-Baseball Club (10th)
-Key Club (11th)
-FBLA (9th-12th)
-On advisory board
-Forensics (12th) </p>
<p>Volunteering
-Volunteer at YMCA (9th-12th 500 hours)
-Writer for Student Sun (9th grade 75 hours) </p>
<p>Jobs
-Employed at McDonalds (Summer of 9th grade up to fall of 10th grade) </p>
<p>Other:
Sports Editor for school newspaper (12th) </p>
<p>I tutor math to kids in my grade that did not pass the state standardized tests (12th)
-Twice a week for 30 minutes at a time </p>
<p>Helped organize a school fundraiser for African kids to get vaccines (12th) </p>
<hr>
<p>Other Info
Notes (in case this might be a bonus on my college app): </p>
<p>Accepted into "Amherst College Diversity Open House" -They're flying me out for a weekend, etc </p>
<p>Applying to Swarthmore Discovery Weekend </p>
<h2>Retaking SAT I in Nov, Taking SAT IIs in Oct </h2>
<p>National: </p>
<p>National Achievement Scholar (Top 5% of African Americans that took the PSAT) </p>
<p>National Society of High School Scholars </p>
<p>National Honor Roll </p>
<p>Microsoft Certified </p>
<p>Who's Who Among American High School Scholars </p>
<p>State: </p>
<p>"You can't do better than As"-Big 33 </p>
<p>Region: </p>
<p>Regional: 3rd place in Technology Concepts (Qualified for state competition)
4th place in Business Calculations </p>
<p>School: </p>
<p>Distinguished Honor Roll for 6 straight semesters </p>
<p>2nd place in Calculus Math League </p>
<p>Other:
I was selected to the Rotary Student of the Month Program. They take the top 8 males and females, and they send them out of school to lunch to meet and conference with businessmen and businesswomen. It is based on class rank I believe. </p>
<h2>Some other school awards that I will add later if I need to </h2>
<p>APs:
AP Calc AB: 5
AP U.S. History: 3 (horrible I know) </p>
<p>Senior Classes:
1st semester
Spanish 4
AP English 1
AP Bio 1
Honors Chemistry </p>
<p>2nd semester:
AP English 2
Spanish 5
Living with Art (mandatory fine art class)
BFS ('Advanced' Gym Class)</p>
<p>amherst08,</p>
<p>Here's a brief list:</p>
<p>Extracurricular Info</p>
<p>Theater, 9-12; 25+ productions with lightboard, production, set design, acting, dancing, singing, choreographing experience.</p>
<p>Community Service, 9-12; Key Club, 9-12; Middle School Tutor, 9-12; Food Bank volunteer, 9-12; Student Coordinator, 11-12; Wilcox Hospital Charity Fashion Fundraiser Volunteer, 9-12. Hawaii State Special Olympics Volunteer, 9-12.</p>
<p>Dance, 9-12; Gold, Silver Medals, Hawaii State Games; Studied Ballet, Jazz, and Tap 8 years.</p>
<p>Swimming, 9-12; Tres, 9-10; Co-captain, 11; Captain, 12. Honor Athlete, 9-12; District All-Star, 11-12.</p>
<p>Band 1st Sax, 9-12; Jazz Band-1st Sax, 9-12; HI State Honor Band--1st Sax, 10-12.</p>
<p>HI State Honor Choir--Baritone, 10-12.</p>
<p>School Newspaper, 9-12; Layout Editor, 9-10; News Editor, 11-12.</p>
<p>Rowing (Out-rigger conoe), 9-12.</p>
<p>School, District & State Science Fair, 9-12; Various awards, 9-12.</p>
<p>Lots of leadership positions.</p>
<p>what is this open house weekend and was it by invtation</p>
<p>It was by invite. They send info, and everyone applies. Then they select about 80 for the weekend.</p>
<p>Asian American, female, low income...</p>
<p>1440 SAT I, 740 V, 700 M</p>
<p>SAT II Writing 750, Math IIC 780, Bio 680, US His 670</p>
<p>GPA: 3.77, WGPA: 4.51</p>
<p>Too many honors to count, 5 APs taken (1 4, 4 5's), 3 AP (Both tests of econ being counted as one)</p>
<p>Debate, Forensics Oratory, Peer Mediation, community service</p>
<p>Oh, I'm applying thru something that counts as ED.</p>
<p>I went to the weekend open house about a month ago. Not Bad... and yea, it was by invite. One of the leaders there said they sent out about 2000 letters, received 400 replies and then accepted a little under 50% of the replies.</p>