<p>It's crunch time... and i've gotta make a final list of colleges. I've posted before, but never gotten any results. I NEED SOME FEEDBACK (harsh or nice). THANK YOU.</p>
<p>Asain Indian Male in from Seattle Suburbs (Born in India, but now US citizen). Lived here for 13 years. </p>
<p>EC's;
-Tennis (JV captain junior year (good team)), Varsity senior year. 4 years total.
-Marching Band (internationally acclaimed, we've won awards in dublin, england, and canada, and just got invited to be in the holiday bowl) 4 years
-Marching Band president and Lt. Drum Major
-Track (1 year)
-Bowling team (yes it's a sport at our school) (1 year)
-ASB elected official (2 years)
-Link Crew (like big brother). 1 year.
- Wind Ensemble (4 years)
- DECA (1 year, only available to seniors)
-Volunteered 100 hours at the Pacific Science Center</p>
<p>Awards/ Achievements;
-Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth since 5th grade</p>
<p>That's about it. So here are the colleges;</p>
<p>Davidson College
Cornell University (I know.... super reach)
Vanderbilt University
Grinnell College
University of Washington
Western Washington University
Washington State University
Villanova University (applying EA)
UT Austin
Texas A&M college station
University of Virginia
University of Colorado- Boulder
Wake Forest University</p>
<p>ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED AS THIS LIST IS NOT FINAL YET, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!</p>
<p>i hope you can get into vanderbilt because my resume is very similar to yours and vanderbilt is my first choice
but i dont even know if i(we) can get in</p>
<p>I figured that much for Cornell. Which is why I've decided not to apply there, UVA i'm still on the fence about. If anyone has any other suggestions for schools or chances for those listed, that'd be great. And thanks to college2332 and chocolateluvr88 for being honest.</p>
<p>It would be nice to know what you are looking for in a college experience..re diversity, challenge, region etc.
Your GPA is low for your test scores but your leadership in band could catch a school's eye. Essays can help you. Also some Southern and other region schools will be happy to get someone from Seattle. So it is good you are willing to move. Schools like kids who show up and contribute right away. I really like the idea of presenting yourself as a future band leader..but first you have to make sure you want to do that another four years, then you have to find schools who create lively bands that are looking for a guy like you.<br>
You need to package your ECs attractively, and separate the one year stuff out from the long term contribution stuff. I like Katherine Cohen's before and after Brag Sheets in her book Rock Hard Apps..though much of the rest of her advice feels over the top rarified, so don't dwell on it. But ECs will matter in your apps.
I don't know about Davidson's band..but it is a very hard admit and a hard school once you are there...lots of scholar athletes, though and close relations with demanding teachers. Cornell is also a hard school academically once you get admitted, but I think you have a shot. UVa really sorts out essays on reviewing applicants. I don't think you have a great shot there OOS..and we are Virginians. They are swamped with OOS applications. But you could send them one anyway.
I think Vandy will take a serious look at you..my S was admitted last year and spouse is a grad. Their sports program is really picking up steam..are you interested in their band? Musicianship standards are higher at Vandy than at schools like Duke and Emory because of the Blair Conservatory of Music. More actual majors on the premises. And you are from a high standard HS band. We met with the Dean of Music. I don't know how that plays over into Wind instruments, but there will be an abundance of music majors in all music groups. S was also admitted to Wake Forest. They really have a remarkable amount of school spirit for sports and not just basketball. They cheer for all their teams and everyone seems to play intramurals. Wake is a tough school..with grade deflation but the teachers know each kid by name which is super. We attended their music presentations too. Nice programs..if you plan to continue. I think you can get in there. Grinnell is a fine school and will do you proud in prepping for grad school, but I don't know it's culture.</p>
<p>Don't overload on your safeties..you only need one or two with your list. Not much in common between Boulder and Charlottesville except that Outdoor magazine named Boulder best and Charlottesville second for outdoors and fitness..they both do have really fun vibes and healthy mental energies going on. I would instead build up a strong Match list and throw in one or two Reaches. All Match and Reach schools really need to know you "get" their cultures so get out there and visit, talk to alum and ask for interviews where offered. Best wishes and happy outcomes.</p>
<p>I think with a 3.2 and 3 AP's for 11th and 12th grades combined (not much considering the calibre of some of your schools) I think Davidson, Cornell, UVa, Vanderbilt are far reaches; Grinnell, Wake Forest, Villanova, and possibly UT are reaches.</p>
<p>what if my school only offered 2 AP's junior year and only offers 3 AP's senior year... I took as many as I could that fit into my schedule (1 junior year/ 2 senior year)... Does that make any difference? And how much does being from Seattle help for east coast schools?</p>
<p>dear sleepless in Seattle...I do think your GPR may hurt you and eliminate Davidson, Cornell and UVA and it will be problematic at Vandy and Wake. But most applicants have a weak spot, and it is your job to convey your personality and potential. Vandy is also becoming increasingly selective, and Wake Forest is a tough admit but you have their mean scores on exams. Don't get totally psyched out though. Our experience with admissions last year exceeded hopes and showed us that schools do look at the whole application. Essays matter. References matter. Your grasp of each college and ability to project how you might fit in and contribute matters. My S's public school had few APs and poor performance on them. He was admitted to Duke, but he did agressively self study for SATIIs and did well on the few APs he had. Most of his peers there came from HSs with better AP programming and results and he is a bit out of step with them in this respect. But Duke turned down 800 valedictorians this year. The kids I met there had great personalities and character..it is not all about stats is my impression at most good colleges. I particularly liked the admissions staff at Vanderbilt, a school that has a lot of great energy and resources but remains a friendly intimate place despite its size. Wake Forest is a very personal school with school spirit and a sporty vibe. You are going to be in the considered pile. I think Seattle is desirable for schools not satisfied with geographic diversity, so good for you for being open to moving. I do think your list is a bit top heavy and needs stronger Matches. Davidson, UVa and Cornell are not short on applicants from everywhere with 4.0s. Wake is more regional but gets a lot of Delaware/MD/NY corridor kids. Vandy is making big strides in national draw but it is important to them now--I say give it your best there. My alma mater is Furman and they really want to pull in students from other regions and have a very good music program and other great classroom experiences plus my friends ended up in great grad schools from there..Chicago, Yale, Harvard, UVa, Stanford, Vanderbilt. Keith Lockart is a grad (Boston Pops).<br>
But by all means go for at least two Reaches and be agressive in selecting wonderful Match schools. You did not post SATII scores..for your Reach schools they need to be high scores. I don't know much about Grinnell but I know a graduate who swears it was an A plus experience and I see their stats for grad schools were super. Privates..look at Bucknell, Rhodes, Dickinson, Furman, too for Matches although there are many more out there. Remember, doing well at a Match school can get you into a great grad school track, so don't focus on too easy or too hard for admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks you Faline2. That response really meant a lot. I understand that my GPA will hurt me in the admissions process. After looking at it, I have decided not to apply to Cornell or UVA but instead Washington & Lee. As far as matches go, it's hard to tell what would be considered a match as my stats are all over the place. I really do want to move to the NC/ VA area and would love to hear about any schools there that are A; good schools and B; are in my range of possible admission</p>
<p>We have close friends currently at WandL and are Virginians. Feel free to PM me.<br>
I am unsure of your interest in actually using your Band experience as a college student. (Does WandL have a band?) Don't see your SATII scores either, which are required at many reach colleges. NC and VA do have many good colleges and you would see some Sunshine. I have also studied and worked in Nashville twice.</p>