Chancez-moi, s'il vous pla

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
1

<p>Location: Vermont
Class: '09
School: Public, suburban, 1000 students, competitive at the top 10%
Rank: We no longer rank (cum laude system, will likely graduate magna cum laude, 10th percentile-ish)
GPA:
9: 3.999/4.33 UW
10: 4.04/4.33 UW
11: 3.68/4.33 UW
Our school doesn’t weigh grades, unfortunately, and the scale goes like 4.33 = 100%, 4.0 = 95%.</p>

<p>Test scores so far:
SAT I: 2240 (CR 760, M 680, W 800)
ACT: 34 (Reading 36, Math 33, English 33, Science 32)
SAT II French: –
SAT II Chemistry: –
SAT II Literature: –
PSAT: 225 (NMSF)</p>

<p>AP Classes:
11:
AP US Government (5)
AP French Language (5)
AP Chemistry (4)
12:
AP European History
AP English Literature
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics C</p>

<p>Academic awards/honors:
9th grade school writing award
10th grade Japanese award
11th grade writing award (x2)
9th grade Band Director’s Award
NHS
District band (9-11)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Scholars’ Bowl (9-12, captain 12)
Speech Club (9, then debate started)
Debate (10-12, missed the meeting for captain voting, and am kicking myself)
School wind ensemble
Participated in French exchange in February 2008
Rowing (crew) team (11-12, just started last year)</p>

<p>Summer programs:
CTY summer programs (all writing courses) 2005, 2006, 2007
Green Mountain Boys’ State 2008</p>

<p>Volunteering:
Spent year TAing at my synagogue’s Hebrew school (probably 45 hrs total)
Will be doing the same this year, 2 hrs/week.</p>

<p>I’m also planning a “senior project,” which, for me, will likely involve fiction writing. It’s intensive, and will culminate with a final product and presentation. I enjoy writing very much, and it’s something I’d definitely pursue in college, along with my second love, foreign languages (2 yrs of Japanese, 5 yrs of French, some knowledge of Hebrew).</p>

<p>So, basically, my top choices are:
Middlebury
Amherst
Williams
Dartmouth
(not necessarily in that order)</p>

<p>CHANCES??? Is one leadership position (scholars’ bowl) enough? I love Amherst a lot, and I’d hate not to get in if it’s because I missed the debate captaincy meeting…</p>

2

<p>You are in the running, but nothing is sure in college admissions. The essays tip the balance at Amherst. Make sure they really show who you are and they are stellar. It will depend on them and on what they need to round out the class. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thank you very much! I have confidence in my essay (about my sister, who has autism), and I think I've got some good teacher recs.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
I'd hate not to get in if it's because I missed the debate captaincy meeting..

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This advice applies to all things in all places, re: applications for competitive spots you might want, whether it's college, a first job, or getting someone to marry you.</p>

<p>It's never about any one thing that is make-or-break. It's always a package consideration. </p>

<p>So, If you get in it won't be "because" you were on the debate team. Same reasoning: if you don't get in it's not because you missed the chance to become debate team captain. </p>

<p>Do NOT eat your heart out, now or ever, over any one thing!</p>

<p>Keep it steady, stay clear and confident, and whatever the outcome your life will go well. You have many accomplishments and have a chance here. Also, you do have the other leadership in scholar's bowl! I'm sure some get in with NO leadership credits, too, but have other application strengths.</p>

<p>You didn't ask about this, but wherever you end up, you might find your Teacher Aide/"some Hebrew" background at a synagogue after-school can lead you to part-time employment near many colleges. Once you find out where you're going, in the Springtime, write to the area synagogues and let them know if you'd be interested. Usually they line things up over the Spring and early Summer for the following September. Last-minute openings in September are very rare, but sometimes happen, too. </p>

<p>Meanwhile, I recommend: keep doing the TA work if you like it a lot; take any training during h.s. for developing skill in class management/discipline. If you need financial aid during college, you'll see that the hourly earnings for a Hebrew teacher at a synagogue school exceed many on-campus work/study jobs. You have to invest unpaid time outside of the paid in-class hours to be the Teacher, of course, and it's not easy work. Even so, factoring it all in, it still comes out slightly better pay to teach than to do many on-campus jobs.</p>

5

<p>Wow, thanks a bunch, especially for the advice regarding TAing at synagogues. Even though I'm not looking into an educational career, I do enjoy doing it on the side, and it sounds like it would be a great way to supplement/replace my work study, which would probably end up being some boring library job :)</p>

6

<p>The big difference between being a Teacher Aide and the Teacher is you'll have to prepare out-of-class to teach. Others like the "boring library type job" because it's a no-brainer outside of the work hours. Also, sometimes you can study on the campus job, which is definitely impossible when you tutor or teach children, anywhere!!</p>

<p>Anyway, I know your main interest today is in the college hunt, but I picked up on that item in your statistics and wanted to go into it a bit. </p>

<p>Not to derail your thread...so back to topic here: </p>

<p>CHANCES for Kaznack? Others chime in, please...</p>

7

<p>I saw the catastrophic drop in your junior year grades, and I couldn't help but laugh, because it reminded me of my own situation. That's going to hurt you, because it demonstrates a lack of consistency, and it's also indicative of the quality of your latest work. Your standardized testing is impressive, though. Good luck, hope for the best, and be sure to write amazing essays.</p>