Colby Class of 2017 Regular Decision Discussion

<p>Accepted as Presidential Scholar
2190 - 740 cr, 750 m, 700 w
4.75 w, 4.0 uw
1/300
SAT IIs - 700 chem, 740 us history, 750 math 1
Three sports and a lot of community service, decent amount of leadership.</p>

<p>Oscarlany was probably rejected because Admissions surmised that he really didn’t plan to attend. He said the same thing happened at Dickinson. Schools like Colby and Dickinson want to give spots to students who they think will actually attend, not kids who are clearly applying to the college as a safety. Yield (the number of students admitted who actually enroll) is important to all schools.</p>

<p>International status is a hook, but there are many hooks (athletics, URM, legacy, those who can pay full freight or those with extraordinary ECs or life stories), so I don’t think you can say that they are given an “apparent preference”. I imagine that since English is a second language for many internationals, so there probably is some leeway with respect to CR and Writing scores.</p>

<p>This was a response to ColbyBrahmin BTW.</p>

<p>@Tintern I wasn’t rejected I was waitlisted, which I guess is sort of like a polite rejection ;). I didn’t consider Colby a safety simply because they evaluate apps holistically and having good stats doesn’t automatically lead to an acceptance. I understand that Colby might have waitlisted me because I didn’t show interest, but I’m still a little rattled about my rejection at Dickinson. I didn’t harass my admissions counselor for the past three months but I regularly asked questions and spent a good amount of time on my “why Dickinson” essay. But like I said, it’s not all about the numbers and they probably didn’t think I’d be a good fit.</p>

<p>@ColbyBrahmin
I sent you a private message but since other people are interested I guess I should give the answer here:</p>

<p>I saw on the Colby Class of 2017 RD Discussion thread that you were curious about my low SAT scores. I have multiple learning disabilities which makes me very bad at taking standardized tests. My SAT subject tests were in the mid 600s but on the SAT reasoning test I scored in the mid 500s! I hope I answered your question. If you still have some, don’t hesitate and send me a message.</p>

<p>Waitlisted.</p>

<p>3.69 GPA (unweighted, hardest schedule possible except for history classes, upward trend from B student freshman year to A student since late sophomore year)
2220 SAT (700 M, 720 CR, 800 W/10 E)
780 Math II, 780 Chem
33 ACT (35 E, 32 S, 32 R, 33 M), 8 essay
Unspectacular extracurriculars (JV cross country/track, class vice president, very few community service hours)</p>

<p>Really disappointed. If I didn’t get into Colby, there’s no way I can get in anywhere else on my list.</p>

<p>Waitlisted… </p>

<p>Intnl IB student (not UWC)
40/42 predicted</p>

<p>SATs 730 CR, 770 Math, 650 WR
Subjects Math II 770, Physics 800, Chem 790</p>

<p>Varied but unimpressive extracurriculars w/ quite a bit of volunteering and leadership
Research experience in chemistry at institute</p>

<p>Quite disappointed, really scared for the rest of the decisions</p>

<p>S was rejected. 3.8 UW GPA, 710 CR, 790 M, 630 WR, lots of AP and honors classes, 16 college credits earned (all As) when he was homeschooled in middle school, not many ECs but the ones he has he’s particularly passionate about, overall strong application, NYS resident. </p>

<p>I was surprised he wasn’t accepted at Colby as I saw it as a match not a reach, but he’s been accepted at other great schools that are in Colby’s league. So those who weren’t accepted, don’t despair! This does not mean you won’t get into other wonderful schools.</p>

<p>Congrats to all those who did get accepted, and good luck to those who have been offered a spot on the waitlist!</p>

<p>It would have been helpful to have put your scores into that perspective then. My issue is that grades are hardly comparable among schools, yet colleges seem to put more weight on them of late. I know of at least one English teacher who essentially refuses to give As. He’s a great teacher, but it means his students are placed at a disadvantage compared to students from schools with considerable grade inflation. For a student from outside the US, however, there tends to be more weight given to SAT scores since it is difficult to assess the significance of a GPA in India, England, Israel, Egypt, Japan or Malaysia compared to one from Peoria, say. Hence my observation.</p>

<p>Sorry, but considering how much these colleges are focused on the US News and World Report listings, I find it hard to accept the yield argument. If someone turns the college admission down, it means the college goes to its waiting list. For the college to try to game the system by guessing if a given student, if admitted, will attend is a disservice to both the college and the applicant population. </p>

<p>As for the “hooks” in, please don’t get me started on athletics and the palaces that used to be the athletic center. The day of the scholar-athlete is long past. One doesn’t need to be in college to play football, or baseball, or … College is about education, not sports.</p>

<p>ACCEPTED</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 W
SAT: 2160
ACT: 32
School: Small, prestigious private school</p>

<p>EC’s: Captain of Debate; Captain of Cross Country; Editor of Newspaper; Student Government; A lot of artsy stuff; TONS of Debate success
Community Service: Volunteer Spanish Translator; Work with disabled individuals</p>

<p>Essays: Pretty damn good</p>

<p>Btw, I requested for >95% financial aid. I think this might help “worried?” future applicants. You may stand out requesting for aid too; I am an example. For clearing up some ambiguities read this:
[The</a> Cavalier Daily :: College admissions in hard economic times](<a href=“http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2011/03/college-admissions-in-hard-economic-times/]The”>http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2011/03/college-admissions-in-hard-economic-times/)</p>

<p>Good Luck,
zphiloj</p>

<p>Is your financial aid on the portal?</p>

<p>Mine was updated to the portal today after I requested it via email. Not entirely satisfied with my FA award, though.</p>

<p>Accepted: 3.7 (UW) 4.6 (W) 33 (ACT) 35(Writing). IB Diploma. Captain-Swim Team and numerous swim team activities, Executive Council, Student Government,VP-National Honor, Co-President-Invisible Children Spanish Honor Society, Regional Choir (Secretary)…a few other sports. Interesting essay-----all about diversity and inner city schools. Did not visit, but contacted swim coach and interviewed in our city. Very pleased…don’t know about FA yet.</p>

<p>Decision: Accepted
Sat: Cr 600, Wr 670, M 640
Sat2: US 780, Bio 700 Math2 740
APs: bio, us, euro, Calc AB, literature and composition, Chem
Bio Exam: 5 US history: 5 Ap euro: 3
Vice President of National honor society
unique ECs</p>

<p>SAT: 2250 (CR 720, M780, W 750)
SAT II: Math II 800, Phy 800, Bio M 780, Bio E 760
School: Public Magnet
Awards: Intel ISEF 2012 (in my country only) environment and biomaterials, school honor scholarship every semester
RecLet: from research project advisor
Essay: solid and show lots of love for Colby
Supp: no interview, no visit but showed I had good contact with current student
ECs: 7 years as conductor in marching band,translator for government office, science club founder, 3 years of community service, play traditional music instrument</p>

<p>Comments: Colby is sooo generous with FA. I’m totally in love with the school now.</p>

<p>Accepted</p>

<p>SAT: 2110
Grade: 4.0 UW, 4.5 W
Rank: 4/400</p>

<p>Almost all activities are music or science related, leadership positions in all.</p>

<p>My family makes too much to qualify for much FA, but Colby is still pretty nice with it and was a great LAC to round out my college list. :)</p>

<p>Best wishes for all!!</p>

<p>S - accepted by UCLA, UC Berkeley, Grinnell, Oberlin, Occidental, Colby and a few more. As of now, Colby is is his #1 choice. He has arrange to visit and stay overnight at Occidental before making the final decision. How does Occidental compare to Colby beside the weather? Thank you!</p>

<p>My daughter looked at Occidental and didn’t even apply. It is Los Angeles, and the neighborhood is not so great. I am sure it is a good school, but a completely different vibe than Colby which is very rural. If you don’t like rural, Occidental might be the better choice with all LA has to offer. We are from the San Francisco area. My daughter LOVES Colby. I am not sure how you will compare academics, but honestly, the Colby academics are stellar. My daughter is VERY VERY happy.</p>