<p>Hello everybody,
I've been determined to apply Early Decision to Williams for awhile, but recently my parents have been asking me to reconsider because they think it's a bit too far of a reach for me. While I would not be happy to set aside my first-choice school, I am considering the "safe" way to go. What do you all think?</p>
<p>Stats:
GPA: 3.56 UW/4.05 W
SAT I: 800 CR/760 M/750 W
SAT II: 800 Math II/780 Bio/790 Chem
Ethinicity: First-Gen Chinese-American
Gender: Male
State: MA
I will have taken 5 APs by graduation. My school is unusual in that it is a very reputable public school but it does not offer as many APs as I would like it to. Not quite sure, but I think I will have 11 Honors classes by graduation as well.</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars:
I've taught at Chinese school since sophomore year (the first year I was eligible to do so)
JV Soccer for 2 years (Frosh/Soph)
JV Tennis 2 years (Frosh/Soph)
Band 2 years (Frosh/Soph)
Science Team 2 years (Jr/Sr) Running for captaincy, not sure if I will get it.
Math Team 2 years (Jr/Sr)
Internship at St Elizabeth's Center for Cancer Systems Biology, 6 weeks in sophomore summer
Paid Internship at Dantas Lab (affiliated with Wash U), 4 weeks in junior summer
Internship with local dentistry, 1 week in junior winter
Service trip to China, 1 week in sophomore spring
Volunteer at local library, 44 hrs Frosh year
National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist
National Honor Society Member</p>
<p>Misc:
Essays: CommonApp one is in progress, so far it's okay. Supplemental essay is coming along nicely.
Recs: They should be decent. I'm not expecting anything stunning, though.
Possible Hook: My GPA is weak. I know it is. But on the bright side, I have a rising trend! Not sure about UW, but I know for Frosh/Soph/Jr years my weighted has gone 3.8/3.8/4.4. Hopefully by the time my application goes through my total GPA will be a little higher with my senior year grades.
Ugly Parts: Got a C+ sophomore year in AP World. Hated that class, I should've dropped it.</p>
<p>Overall, you have a decent chance. Your test scores are great, but I’m not sure that they will make up for your relatively low GPA. High test scores with a lower GPA can make colleges think that you are smart, but don’t work hard. Try to bring your grades up. Finally, your ECs are mediocre - you have no 4-year and only 1 3-year commitment - not something colleges want to see. Who knows, though - Williams is an incredibly selective school, and admissions are a crapshoot.</p>
<p>Definitely go for it! If anything, it’ll only get harder after early decision so why set aside your first choice school when doing so will hurt your chances? Don’t pursue a “safe” path early, do that during the regular decision process. Best of luck!</p>
<p>What is their issue with applying to reach school as your ED school? Do they not want you to apply to a reach? Do they want you to allow to a different school for ED?</p>
<p>Personally, applying to your top choice ED makes perfect sense.</p>
<p>disposition, Trying to game your ED choice will ultimately lead to disappointment. If Williams is your first choice – and if finances are NOT AN ISSUE – then apply ED to Williams. Othewise, you will always wonder if you could have been a contender.</p>
<p>I think your EC are strong enough but you’ll have to give some thought to how you represent yourself in your application. Try to reinforce your interests and activities in your essays and recommendations. I would focus on your research internships and Chinese cultural involvement and emphasize how your experiences could contribute to the campus community.</p>
<p>C’s happen. Don’t let it drag you down. Work hard this term and so that your current work is excellent. </p>
<p>Also, try to find some recommenders who are “stunning.” Along with the two academic recommendations you could submit a third that is connected to your ECs. Small colleges like Williams actually read your whole application, so make it work for you.</p>