**Decision: Accepted **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 35 composite (36 English, 36 reading, 35 science, 34 math)
SAT II: 730 Lit, 730 math 1, 660 math 2 (this was rough- I sent scores blindly but this goes to show you can work around weak points in testing)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.1 (We have a really low scale)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Very few AP’s available junior year (2 max). I only sent an APUSH 4
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP English, AP Physics E&M, AP Chinese V, AP Comp Gov, Calc AB
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Cum Laude, Scholar Athlete award, NSL top scorer, National Merit commended scholar, National Chinese Honors Society
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 4 years of field hockey and lacrosse (V), lots of leadership through independent service projects (though nothing crazy), capstone research project (two year long research project), assistant at a medical office, stage crew
Job/Work Experience: Summer job
Volunteer/Community service: Multiple projects that spanned throughout high school, about 150 hours of outside service
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9.5/10 I really believe my essay was a huge factor in getting in. At the core of it, it broke down the connection between art, medicine and english in my life, but I would say it was definitely out there in terms of uniqueness/quirkiness (I really played up my quirks/creativity because I don’t seem super interesting on paper)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 10 easily. My one rec was from an english teacher who historically has helped people into crazy schools. I wasn’t able to read them, but I’m confident they were a big help.
Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, but she really liked me and always has a lot of nice things to say.
Additional Rec:
Interview: Very casual, but connected with my alum because we have the same major/track and interests:)
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major and College: English, CAS
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: F
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None
Reflection:
Getting in was a shock. I though without any hooks and poor timing with my subject tests it would realistically be a deferral at best. I was so discouraged reading the discussion thread a week ago, but now looking back my advice would be to focus on the essays and don’t freak out if you have one or two blemishes on your app. I am the most boring sounding, basic white girl out there and I used my writing to stand apart.
Strengths: Essays, ACT
Weaknesses: Subject tests, no hooks
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Essay, my one recommendation, and my application aligned really well with my declared major/pre-med track
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: This was my first and thankfully last school to hear back from!
Congrats to everyone who got in, and if you didn’t, college admissions are a shot in the dark. You will do great wherever you end up!