Class of 2012/wellesley hopefuls forum

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
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<p>Hi! In regards to your questions…</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I have a 3.98 unweighted GPA. By the end of this year I would have taken 8 AP classes total. Sometimes I feel like it’s not enough because most people on this website have taken that many AP classes in a single year… but I go to a low-profile high school and that’s as challenging of a course load they offer. </p></li>
<li><p>Being from the west coast, I had never even heard of Wellesley until my step mom told me about it. She went to Smith for undergrad and then Harvard for graduate school. Since she’s from the East Coast originally she knows a lot about the schools over there.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>There are so many reasons that made me want to apply to Wellesley. At first I was a little anxious about the idea of an all-women’s liberal arts school. I’m a very math and science oriented person and I get along better with guys. However, I really love the idea of still having the opportunity to see males and take science/math courses at MIT while coming home at the end of the day to a sisterhood sort of place. Also, even though I’m more math and science oriented, I look forward to having a humanities foundation underneath. Most of the kids at my school go to University of WA, but I prefer smaller, more personalized classes. Also, I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about Wellesley, especially the teachers and campus! I’m really sorry this is so long btw but I think the most important reason why I want to apply to Wellesley are the things I’ve heard about the students. The Wendy Wellesley character describes me perfectly and I cannot wait to be surrounded by people that are as ambitious and inspired as I am (there are not many people at my school like that).</p>

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<p>Wow, 8 AP classes! That’s a lot! I’ve taken AP Psychology and I’m currently taking AP Stats. The majority of AP classes at my school sound incredibly boring to me (I can’t imagine having to go through an entire semester of AP Macroeconomics) so that’s why I haven’t taken that many. Instead, I took advantage of the wide range of electives that my school offered. I’ve taken everything from Game Design to Computer Science to Fine Art. Hopefully I’ll look like a well-rounded person!</p>

<p>I actually heard of Wellesley from “The Best 373 Colleges” by Princeton Review. I have a lot of social anxiety, so a small college is really preferable by me. After doing some research, an all-girl’s school became preferable as well. Like you, I love the sisterhood idea!</p>

<p>I want to get into Wellesley in particular because of their…

  1. Great study abroad program (I want to study abroad in Japan)
  2. Awesome clubs (I feel that I kind of missed out on high school because this is the first year that I’m getting involved in more than one club)
  3. They offer archery (always wanted to do this, but was never able to)
  4. Heard a lot of students do a double major (I want to major in English and East Asian Languages & Literature)</p>

<p>I also want to go because Wellesley is “widely acknowledged as the nation’s best women’s college.” I hope that statement will get me into a really good graduate school so I can become an English professor!</p>

<p>Have you done an interview yet? I read that interviews are highly recommended because they get so many applicants. I plan on requesting an interview next month with an alumnae in my area. I would do it this month, but with my Japanese midterm and ACT quickly approaching, I feel I would be more prepared if I did my interview in November.</p>

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<p>I have about a 3.8 UW GPA, 4.3 weighted. Except for two C’s sophomore year (same subject, both semesters), my grades have been pretty solid with an upward trend. So far, I’ve taken 4 AP classes and got 3 5’s and one 4 on the exams. This year I’m in 3 AP’s and two honors classes.</p>

<p>Like UFOninja, the idea of a small college is extremely appealing to me. Wellesley is in a perfect location too- it has a beautiful campus in a safe area, close to a big city. I love the idea of the Wellesley sisterhood and all the alumni I’ve met seem amazing and accomplished. Also, I’ve only heard great things about the professors and the student body. At first, I was a little intimidated by the fact that if I went to Wellesley I’d be surrounded by almost all super-smart, ambitious women, but then it became a driving factor for me wanting to attend: I would always be pushed to do my best. While Wellesely does have some cool clubs and organizations, it also seems to be much more academically focused then most schools which is a definite plus for me. Of course, the financial aid, the alumni network, and the title of “America’s best women’s college” don’t hurt either!</p>

<p>I haven’t had an interview yet, but I’m not applying E.D.</p>

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<p>I submitted a request for an interview a couple days ago and they have not gotten back to me yet (probably because Im applying EE so I still have a lot of time). I agree with everything you said penguin369! I’m super excited. </p>

<p>I will be going to a Washington State Wellesley College Club meeting this Sunday for prospective students. I get to hear all about Wellesley from the assistant director and Wellesley alumni. Most importantly, I get to meet other Wellesley prospies and hopefully friends that Ill see when we get into Wellesley!!! </p>

<p>Oh. I hope this isnt overly obsessive but I also just bought a gray Wellesley crewneck from the Wellesley Bookstore webpage…</p>

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<p>Hey, everyone! I’ve been around here a handful of times (thankfully I discovered this site AFTER I completed the application process; I would have utterly freaked out at people’s stats otherwise), but I just want to let you know that I’m a current Wellesley first year who can answer some of your questions. I’m glad to see that you’re all so excited about the college!</p>

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<p>Hi, shrunkin! Would you mind telling me what your stats are? (lol) I’m really worried about not getting accepted because of my low GPA. I got really bad grades my freshman year, but I’ve gotten all A’s since my second semester as a sophomore. Still, it affected my GPA a lot and I obsess about it constantly. What was your high school GPA like? What were your ACT scores?</p>

<p>Also, would you mind telling me what you wrote your college essay on? I really think that my college essay is what’s going to make or break me, so I’ve been looking at every single example college essay I can get my hands on.</p>

<p>What is the student body at Wellesley like? Are the students nice overall? Do they all have stellar stats (took 5+ AP classes, held many leadership positions, maybe made a few ground-breaking scientific discoveries or published some novels while still in high school)?</p>

<p>Did you do an interview? If so, what was it like? Do you have any tips for me? Where did the interview take place (a busy place, like Starbucks, or a quiet place, like a study room at the library)? What did you wear?</p>

<p>Did Wellesley do a good job matching you up with a roommate? How would you describe your dorm? Are you given a mini fridge or a microwave? Are the beds comfortable?</p>

<p>And lastly, are you enjoying yourself at Wellesley? What are you majoring in? Would you consider the work to be easy, average, challenging, or pull-your-hair-out-stressful?</p>

<p>Sorry about all the questions! I know it’s a lot, but I would really, reeeeally appreciate it if you could answer them. I probably won’t be able to visit Wellesley (at least not this year), so I’m really curious what it’s like! I also want to maximize my chances of getting accepted! :)</p>

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<p>[Wellesley</a> College official flashmob - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)!</p>

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<p>My D just got back from the “discover Wellesley” weekend, and she would like to know if she should apply ED or wait for regular decision. She has a 4.0, (unweighted) 10APs (including senior year) 1330/1990 SAT’s (hopefully they went up her second time in October) 32 ACT, 770Apush and 780M2. Her EC’s are not spectacular-sort of the same old same old everyone has-Mock trial, NHS, a sport etc. Nothing ‘wow’ in the EC category, but she works full time etc.
We have very little money, and went to Discovery Wellesley on a travel grant re Questbridge. I can’t find the stats re: % admitted ED vs. RD… PS: She LOVED Wellesley!!!</p>

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<p>I would suggest so! Her SAT scores are a little low but her ACT score was higher than the average 30 for Wellesley. Her GPA and AP classes sound spectacular. Financially Wellesley meets 100% demonstrated need and for the ED policy, if Wellesley does not give you enough aid, you can turn down the ED contract. You do not have to withdraw any other college applications until you receive the financial aid package from Wellesley. The only problem is that you may not be able to compare the financial aid packages you receive from the other schools. If I were you I would definitely apply ED!</p>

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<p>The ED admission rate in 2010 was almost 60%. The regular admission rate was considerably lower, although I cannot find it this minute. (It’s probably in other Wellesley threads here on CC.) I believe the 2011 rates were lower than 2010, because of an unexpectedly high yield in 2010. If Wellesley is your daughter’s first choice and she would go there unless the financial aid situation were untenable, then she should apply ED.</p>

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<p>I’m applying ED too! The deadline is in less than two weeks :open_mouth: I’m nervous…</p>

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<p>UFOninja, sorry for the late reply! Something happened beyond my control and things are a bit crazy for me right now, but that’s not really important, haha.</p>

<p>Here, I copied my stats (with some modifications) from an earlier post.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.26 w; don’t know what it is unweighted but it’s probably much lower than that
ACT: did not take
SAT subject tests: 710 Biology E, 600 Lit
SAT superscored: 2050
Class rank: 5/60-70</p>

<p>3 AP courses: Bio in junior year (3), US History (4) and Literature (3) in senior year
180 hrs of volunteering from junior and senior year
ECs: Club representative of Literary Magazine, editor-in-chief of newspaper, choir, NHS, club council
No sports
Did not do an interview</p>

<p>As you can see, luck was definitely on my side during the application process.</p>

<p>I wrote my Common App essay on my discovery of origami and how my interest in it developed over the years, which led to a discovery about myself. For my “Why Wellesley” essay, I wrote mostly about my anonymous online journal before connecting it to Wellesley. Lol, that was helpful, sorry. It took me ages to settle on focal points, but I wrote the essays themselves in one day each, and submitted them without first giving them to someone of higher authority for commentary. Now, I AM NOT ENCOURAGING YOU TO DO SUCH A THING NO PLEASE DON’T. I’m just letting you know what I did that miraculously got me in.</p>

<p>The students are extremely nice. I mean, of course you’ll meet a few who are not so nice, but the majority of them are great. Making friends should be no problem because first years arrive on campus a week before the other students, so basically everyone there is new and scared and therefore desperate to make lasting bonds with you. While I don’t feel like I myself have done anything crazy noteworthy, there are definitely some girls who accomplished amazing things. No one brags about such things so I really don’t know.</p>

<p>I didn’t do an interview for Wellesley, like I mentioned above. I did do one for Yale, though, but Yale might do things differently.</p>

<p>Roommates are a mixed bag! My neighbors across the hall are the best of friends. I have a friend who doesn’t like being in the same room as her roommates (she’s in a triple) except to sleep. My roommate and I coexist, in that we’re friendly with each other and we’ll wave when crossing paths but we don’t hang out at all. My neighbors next door are friends and get along well, but they hang out with different groups and that’s what I imagine most situations will be like. </p>

<p>The rooms are reeeally varied. It also depends on which residential hall you’re in because each res hall has its own personality. I know the new dorms, for example, have pretty spacious rooms. My room is reasonably sized for a double, but I know people who have to deal with living in doubles that were meant to be singles. Microwaves aren’t allowed in the rooms, but each floor has a kitchenette that has a microwave in it for all to share. They don’t give us mini fridges, though I spotted a bunch at the rummage sale they have in early September, each going for as little as $20 or even $10. Beds are, um… just bring a mattress pad. :D</p>

<p>I really love this place! To be honest, I am struggling quite a bit, but that’s due to personal problems and is not the college’s fault at all. The work is challenging and there’s a lot of it (mostly reading for me), but it’s all doable as long as you manage your time. We’re allowed to take 4 classes per semester, which doesn’t sound like much but trust me, it’s all you can handle. I usually head out into Boston every week to see friends from other schools, though, so you should – at least – have the weekends to relax. Oh, and I would count on changing your intended major several times; after two weeks here I had already switched from the humanities to the sciences.</p>

<p>This was long but I hope it was helpful!</p>

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<p>Prospies 2012! as a current first-year, good luck to you all. I would say that before applying, you really be sure of the environment you’re looking for. Know that Wellesley is not just any women’s college. The young women here are outgoing, self-assured, and extremely involved in however fashion they can be. This doesn’t mean the timid and quieter feel unwelcome, simply just less prominent on campus- this comes with good and bad. Wellesley really does go for women who can change the world, so, keep that in mind while applying, and be specific and passionate. You don’t need to be excellent at everything- just something! Feel free to PM me with any questions, best of luck!</p>

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<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I go to the International School of Geneva, in Switzerland, and I’m applying to Wellesley this year! It’s one of my top schools, I really hope I get in. Has anyone here interviewed? I’m thinking of requesting an alumni interview, but I’m super busy at the moment, and kind of nervous at the prospect.</p>

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<p>Hi everyone, I am also a Wellesley hopeful. I go to a coed private school near Cleveland and applied RD. Though I’m not quite Albert Einstein (3.8 gpa and 28 act), I am extremely hard-working and really involved:
-Student Body VP
-newspaper editor
-lacrosse captain
-cheerleading captain
-leadership camp counselor
-ballpark 200 hours of service
-city high school advisory board
-ect.
I am really nervous about getting in, but want to attend so badly. Everyone sounds so nice and excited, and I hope we all end up there! I’m a lot of fun and work so hard. Do I have any chance?</p>

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<p>@Kittensnpuppies
Do you mean a 3.8 GPA weighted or unweighted? I should be graduating with a 3.49UW and 3.56W. Haha, my GPA’s not so great either. I think we have the lowest GPAs on this forum, actually. My ACT score isn’t that great either; I got 26 first time and I’m currently waiting for the scores from my second time (pretty sure I scored better). Have you considered retaking the ACT?</p>

<p>Despite our scores, I think we both still have an awesome chance! Like you, I am also very involved:

  • Recently elected editor-in-chief of the school newspaper :smiley:
  • Layout designer of yearbook
  • Peer mentor
  • Part of anime club, book club, gaming club, and student government
  • Have been doing community service at the library every summer since I was 12</p>

<p>I haven’t submitted my application yet, and I haven’t yet written the Why Wellesley essay, but I know I totally rocked my Common App essay! I chose “Topic of Your Choice” and created my own prompt. I sent it to my counselor and four of my teachers. They thought it was very creative and unique!</p>

<p>I saw all my recommendations and they are awesome. I’m also going to be doing an interview with an alumna. I heard that Wellesley really puts a lot of emphasis on the essay, so I wouldn’t despair if I were you :slight_smile: We both still have chances of getting accepted!</p>

<p>Oh, I also recently found this link for the stats of Wellesley applicants last year. I’m sure that not everyone who applied to Wellesley posted on this forum, but it does somewhat give a picture of the entering class:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/wellesley-college/1110890-class-2015-rd-results-stats-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/wellesley-college/1110890-class-2015-rd-results-stats-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>@UFOninja
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement! I feel like we’re on the exact same page. My gpa is weighted (I have no idea what it is unweighted). As far as test scores go, I got a 26 the first time, also, and the second and third times a 28. I’m sure yours will go up, especially if it’s the first time you took it. I already sent my application and hope my essay is Wellesley-worthy. Hahaha I’m kinda depending it. Good luck on the interview, though! I’m sure it will go great and for sure won’t hurt your chances. I hope I can get up to do one.
And thanks for the link, it really helped. Haha I think we can do it!</p>

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<p>So how’s everyone’s application and college essay coming along? I’m almost done with my app and just have to check through my essay for careless grammatical errors. Kind of worried about my art supplement; last week I was sick and didn’t get the chance to practice my flute…I’m applying for the merit scholarship via Scripps, so my first college application is due in about a week -_-"</p>

<p>Any other Wellesley prospies applying to Scripps? (I know you are, hearbr8cker124 :wink: ) Anyone applying for their merit scholarship? And while we’re on the topic, would anyone care to list the colleges they’re applying to in descending order (from first to least choice)? Haha, I’m assuming that Wellesley is the first choice of all of us, I’m just curious where else everyone’s applying.</p>

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<p>Oh, here’s my list of schools:</p>

<p>First choice: WELLESLEY ALL THE WAY!!! :smiley:
Second choices: Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Scripps, Smith (if you haven’t guessed, the all-girl’s thing is very preferable to me!)
Third choices: Carelton, Occidental</p>

<p>I also have 2 safety schools. The one has an excellent Japanese focus, so despite the fact that it’s a safety school it’s still under my mental list of third choices :D</p>

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<p>First Choices: Wellesley or MIT
*Wellesley used to be my first choice until I got recruited by MIT for soccer… I have no idea how I will choose!
Second Choices: Scripps, Smith, Claremont McKenna,
Safeties: University of Washington, Whitworth University, University of Portland</p>