Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Claremont McKenna College
1

<p>Ok, so I plan on applying ED in November or January., which should improve my chances, but I am not sure if it would put me over the edge.
Academics: I have a 3.53 high school gpa at a nationally recognized high school for its rigorous academics and my weighted gpa is 4.0.</p>

<p>Prospective majors: Neuroscience and German</p>

<p>The following is my course schedule all through high school, including grades for both semesters. (CC) means that I received community college credit for it because many of the classes were audited for credit.
Freshman year: Honors accelerated Chemistry/Physics B/B, German I/II (CC) A/A, Honors World Civ. A/B, Honors English and Speech B/B, Honors Geometry B/C (One "C") shouldn't hurt me too bad hopefully, especially since I can attribute it to health reasons. I also took World Politics at a college and received a B and Western Civ. and got a D, but the class syllabus was not correct and often times, the professor gave us misinformation and more health issues, and as long as I am descriptive, the admissions office at Colgate said it should not be a problem.</p>

<p>Sophomore year (I had health problems, as I have said, affecting my two first years in high school, and I know it should not be an excuse, but perhaps it will help deflect the very low grades): German III/IV (CC) A/A, Honors American Lit. B/B, Honors Algebra II B/B, Marine Biology blocked for three periods (CC) A/A</p>

<p>Junior year: AP Chemistry (CC) B/B, AP Stats (CC) A/A, AP English Lang. (CC) B/B, AP German V (CC) A/A, AP American History (CC) A/A, Marine Biology II (CC) A/A, Honors Precalculus B/B. I also took psychology at a local college and received an A in it.</p>

<p>Senior year (next year's schedule): AP Env. Sci (CC), AP Lit. (CC), Marine Bio (CC and advanced independent study), AP Biology (CC), AP Physics (CC), AP Government (CC), AP Macroeconomics (CC).
I will be obtaining my AA degree in December, just retaking Western Civ. and taking Speech. Right now, I have 70 college credits with a 3.5 college gpa.</p>

<p>Test scores:
SAT Math: 690
SAT Verbal and writing: 610 each
My SATs are the biggest thing hindering me from acceptance. I have excessive anxiety, especially when I take the tests, so I just need to relax.</p>

<p>Extracurricular activities:
Central Campus Marine Biology - Lab supervisor - 200+
Quiz Bowl - Team Captain
Central Campus - Student Ambassador - 40+
Marine Biology - Teaching assistant
Ecology Trip to Florida - Participant - Three weeks
Cultural immersion trip to Germany - participant - two weeks
Employment - Coffee-maker and other - 20 hours a week
Employment - Grocery store clerk - 15 hours a week for two and a half years.
Scuba diving - assistant in helping others for certification - 50+
Independent - running to prepare for athletics in college and in some high school
Independent - Writing original poems and lyrics for others.
History Day participant</p>

<p>My school is not comprehensive, and nearly all students do not attend all day, so there are nearly zero extracurricular activities. The lab supervisor was something my teacher and I had to create. I also live in a very suburban and commercial area... and no e.c. chances within reasonable walking distance. My parents have problems driving me places because of their jobs and their hours.</p>

<p>My counselor can explain it all, and I am sure that she will write a GREAT recommendation for me, along with my teachers. I plan on applying ED, I think my essays are pretty good, and I plan on sending in additional writing supplements.
Thanks</p>

2

<p>Highlight your leadership history and goals for future leadership. I would attempt the SAT again and consult with a private tutor weekly prior to the test if you can do so. Not sure that ED will help at CMC as much as it does at other schools.</p>

3

<p>honestly you are unlikely to get in... start coming up with safety's. ever thought about pitzer?</p>

4

<p>I think you have a decent chance. I don't know the conversion between ACT and SAT scores so I can't tell how well you did on the SAT... just try to highlight leadership experience and write a good essay. But I would agree that you should apply safeties just in case. Like surfinghaole said, Pitzer might be a good option.</p>

5

<p>Well.. your grades aren't that great (though you will graduate with a whole lot of APs) and neither are your test scores, your ECs are fine.</p>

<p>Your chances aren't super high in my opinion, after all CMC has only an 18% acceptance rate (I believe). So apply ED if you are very keen on it, try to get a great essay & recs, but definitely line up some colleges - matches and safeties - that you like just as much as CMC.</p>

6

<p>Unless your GPA is no more than a manifestation of tough competition and a difficult curriculum and your rank is high, then you shouldn't be worried. However, if that's not the case, realize that WASP receive many many more applications than they can admit, meaning that some arguably qualified students will be turned away; students possibly more qualified than yourself may be turned away.</p>

<p>HOWEVER, you should apply if you're interested.</p>