Could I get in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

<p>I visited Wellesley over the summer and fell in love. It, along with UNC-Chapel Hill (in-state) are my top choices, the former because I was extremely impressed with my tour and the latter because of, well, public tuition. :)</p>

<p>I'd love to know if you think I have a chance at acceptance, compared to yourself or other people you know who applied successfully.</p>

<p>I attend a very well-respected North Carolina public school.
GPA: 3.95 UW, 4.67 W
Rank: 39/525
SAT: 2050 (580 M/720 CR/750 W/12 Essay). I'm retaking the test in October, hoping to raise my math score slightly.
APUSH 5
AP English Language 4</p>

<p>By graduation, I'll have taken 17 honors classes and 4 APs, as well as six years of French (one independent study). I received one B sophomore year in Honors Algebra II.</p>

<p>ECs:
-Student Newspaper (11-12): Editor-in-Chief 12, Copy Editor and Junior Editor-in-Chief 11
-Marching Band (Colorguard) (9-12): Colorguard Captain 12
-Varsity Winterguard (9-12): Flag soloist
-Model United Nations (10-12): Charter member, Vice President
-Gay-Straight Alliance (11-12): AIDS Outreach Chair (involves acting as contact with local AIDS charity to organize service projects with the organization), also served on county-wide steering committee as a representative of our high school's GSA
-Student Council (9-12): Executive Representative 12, Class Representative 9-11
-Relay for Life (9-12): Student Volunteer Coordinator, Team Captain, also organized colorguard performance for event
-Freshman Mentor Program (12): selected as mentor for at-risk freshman; involves weekly meetings and guidance for freshman
-Beta Club (9-10)
-Teen Events Planning Committee for local public library, also served as volunteer on as-needed basis</p>

<p>Honors:
-National Merit Commendation 2005
-Academic Letters (10-11)
-Band Letters (10-11)
-North Carolina Scholar</p>

<p>I apologize that this has been a long post, but I also have just a few questions about Wellesley.
1) Is there any stigma associated with coming from a public school? When I had my tour, I was the only member of the group who did not attend a private boarding or day school.
2) How easy is it to create your own major at Wellesley?
3) Is the school overly competitive? I've heard from a few sources that it's a somewhat stressful environment, although it certainly didn't seem that way on a sunny, breezy summer day (absent of students). </p>

<p>Thanks so much for any help you can provide (and it would be amazing to see you next fall..)! :)</p>

2

<p>UNC Chapel Hill is a great school and a beautiful campus. </p>

<p>If you go to the Wellesley web site, they have the Class of 2010 admission statistics (the header still says Class of 2009).</p>

<p>Public school students comprise 63.3 % of the entering class. For SAT scores, the mean scores are 703 - reading, 697 - writing, and 686 - Math.</p>

3

<p>1.) no, not at all, I come from a public high school and my two best friends i've met are both from boarding school but it is just adds to the diversity of our backgrounds. I'd like to think it is rather hip to be from public.</p>

<p>2.) I wouldn't know, but I know many students do persue it.</p>

<p>3.) I maybe more or less stressful but that depends on the backgrounds you've had as a high school student. Wellesley is competitive in the fact that everyone around you strives to be the best so it may be intimidating, but there hasn't been cattyness over grades. </p>

<p>-yeah, when i toured, the campus always had NO students...</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
1) Is there any stigma associated with coming from a public school? When I had my tour, I was the only member of the group who did not attend a private boarding or day school.
2) How easy is it to create your own major at Wellesley?
3) Is the school overly competitive? I've heard from a few sources that it's a somewhat stressful environment, although it certainly didn't seem that way on a sunny, breezy summer day (absent of students).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>1) Not a bit. Most of the people I knew went to public high schools, including myself.</p>

<p>2) No idea. It would probably take a fair amount of dedication and perseverance, on your part. You'll have an advisor to make sure you're staying on top requirements, but there will be more planning involved than with a ready-made major.</p>

<p>3) Overly competitive? No. Students challenge themselves, but I never encountered any students who turned it into a competition with their classmates. It can be a stressful environment ... particularly if you overcommit yourself and manage your time poorly. Still, the experience makes "real life" (whatever that is) seem remarkably simple and relaxed.</p>

5

<p>my god, i only read about half of your stats and all i know is, if i could get in, you can get in. jeez, you shouldn't have much to worry about.</p>

<p>btw, it doesn't really matter if you came from public or private, as far as i know. i went to public. a lot of ppl i met did too.
not sure about the major thing. i'm a first year and have NO idea what i want to study haha...
and as for the competativeness, i honestly don't feel it, nor do i notice it too much from other people. ppl told me ucla and berkeley were REALLY competative, which is one of the reasons i turned them down in favor of wellesley. there are SO many resources for help, and everyone's more than willing to help you out. :)</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
1) Is there any stigma associated with coming from a public school? When I had my tour, I was the only member of the group who did not attend a private boarding or day school.

[/quote]

Hey, I went to a public school, and most of my friends here went to public schools. It's really not that big a deal, and it doesn't even come up in conversations.

[quote]
2) How easy is it to create your own major at Wellesley?

[/quote]

Creating a major? I can't speak from experience, but I do know that every professor is really, really accessible. If you want to create your own major, you'd have plenty of opportunities to talk to your advisors. As a matter of fact, I'm asking a professor to be my first-year advisor tomorrow :)

[quote]
3) Is the school overly competitive? I've heard from a few sources that it's a somewhat stressful environment, although it certainly didn't seem that way on a sunny, breezy summer day (absent of students).

[/quote]

I don't think it's any more stressful than high school! lol, I had two midterms, two quizzes, and a lab due last week. On a scale of 1-10 I'd say the stress level was a 5? It seriously all depends on how you manage your time. The work level is more than high school, definitely, but you have so much more resources available to you and the teachers and Help Rooms are great. Key words: time management! Competitive? Maybe. Everyone works hard. I haven't met a slacker yet.
And you're right, the campus on a sunny, breezy day is absolutely gorgeous. It does brighten your day when the work does get a little overwhelming.</p>