<p>Competitive Public School - Central Mass.
45/420
3.4/3.9</p>
<p>APUSH- 5
AP Calc AB- 5</p>
<p>All Honors Classes except for French</p>
<p>SAT 1500/2180 ( 720CR/780M/680W)
SAT II
Math II- 800
Chem- 690 (ouch)
US History- 740</p>
<p>ACT - 30 25E/28S/33M/36R</p>
<p>Volunteer- Boy Scout stuff, 2 Hospitals over the summer, Raking leaves for senior citizens, Overall, 100-150 hours</p>
<p>Jobs- Banquet Wait Staff since Aug. 2006
Dietary Aide at Nursing Home since Jun. 2008</p>
<p>National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist
Semi-finalist Mass. Math Olympiad (Top 200 in state)
3 Years Science Fair
4 Years Cross Country (Maybe Captain) (3 Years Varsity)
4 Years Varsity Tennis - Probably Co-Captain</p>
<p>Anybody got any ideas?</p>
<p>I'd place Hamilton as a high match/low reach for you. Definitely a high match if you apply ED. Then again (as I'm sure you've heard), as a liberal arts college, admissions are a gamble.</p>
<p>I applied ED with similar stats; lower test scores, but as valedictorian and from Oregon. Either way, you're standing on solid ground with Hamilton. Best of luck.</p>
<p>You certainly have impressive credentials, but I have to tell you from personal experience that Hamilton is such a gamble. Last year (for fall '08 admission) I applied ED, was deferred, and then rejected regular decision. </p>
<p>I graduated #1 in my class from a competitive prep school in the northeast, was the founder/president of clubs and a member in others, dedicated community servant (25 hrs/yr throughout high school), athlete, and had a 32 on the ACT and a 3.7 GPA. All this, and I plan to study biochemistry/chemistry which is pretty unusual for a girl, especially when applying to a LAC not a major research university. </p>
<p>I only took two AP's and two SAT II's, so that could have been what kept me out, though I did score well. I was accepted to higher level schools (i.e. Colgate, Davidson, etc.), so I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth. After visiting multiple times and having lots of contact with the admissions counselors, it was a huge blow to not get in. One might call it "a kick in the face."</p>
<p>I know there's a lot of comparison/competition between Hamilton and Colgate, but honestly Colgate's admissions office was 10x friendlier and more willing to help me with the application process. </p>
<p>The varsity sports and AP scores may serve you very well at Hamilton though, those seemed to be the deal-makers for many friends who were accepted. Be sure to talk to the XC coaches, they can really be your biggest cheerleader and asset in getting you into the school. </p>
<p>Good luck with your applications!</p>