Do I Have What it Takes? Middlebury College 2014

Colleges and Universities A-Z Middlebury College
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<p>I have recently fallen completely IN LOVE with Middlebury College. Here is a brief summary of my application- let me know if you think I really have a shot of getting in!! I want to study international relations, Arabic, and French.</p>

<p>Academics/ scores (I graduated June 2014):
IB Diploma- 30/ 45 points, 6 in IB French HL, 6 in IB English HL, 4's in Math SL, Environmental SL, History HL, and 3 in Chemistry SL + all three bonus points for EE/ TOK
GPA- around 4.24 weighted, 3.8 unweighted (something like that
SAT- 2160 (750 Math, 710 Reading, 700 Writing)
AP- 5's on Human Geo. and Language & Composition; 4 on World History; 3 on Calculus AB and Statistics</p>

<p>Main extracurriculars:
3 year founder and president of Model UN club
2 years National Honor Society, National French Honor Society
Over 300 volunteer hours, 200+ at a specific elementary school
3 year volunteer with AFS (a foreign exchange organization)
2 year member and founder of IB Advisory Board at my school
1 year unified tennis, 1 year varsity tennis
Recreationl horseback riding</p>

<p>Summer programs/ special programs/ awards:
National Merit Commendation (the award based on your PSAT scores)
NSLI-Y Finalist- Morocco Summer 2013- competitive State Department scholarship program to study Arabic abroad
Phillips Exeter Academy Summer School 2012- took 3 classes there
Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA)- 4 weeks of French immersion
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) member- 3 week summer camp in 2011</p>

<p>I am taking a gap year to study abroad in Morocco on an NSLI-Y scholarship, and will study Arabic there. I currently have a job at an outdoor adventure center that has rock climbing, zip-lining, a high ropes course, etc. I was a summer counselor this summer, and now work in guest relations. </p>

<p>My final high school transcript was not so great (some C's junior year), but my GPA is ok and my rank is very good (top 5%). My recommendations are very good, and my essays are pretty good.</p>

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<p>Initially I wrote this:</p>

<p>“You could apply ED. My friend, an aid-seeking international, had 2 C’s in her junior year too, and she made it. Your ‘stats’ and ECs look impressive and with strong essays, you would definitely have a shot.”</p>

<p>But then I saw your IB diploma score. 30/45??? Really??? </p>

1 Like
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<p>I think most of your stats look really good, and your EC’s are solid. You SAT is on the higher end of Midd’s average as is your GPA. I also had a C senior year but I was still accepted, so if you’ve shown in your senior transcript that you bounced back I don’t think that’s going to kill you!</p>

<p>I don’t really understand the above poster’s comment about your IB diploma though, I can’t tell if they’re impressed or horrified? I think just going through the program will look pretty good and those 6’s are impressive (and for what it’s worth I only got the diploma by one point, I had a 25 #teamclutchedit).</p>

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<p>30/45 is hardly an impressive score.</p>

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<p>I think Midd will want something higher than 38 on your IB score. It is an assumption but a school of that caliber is most likely looking for mostly 6s and 7s, and will look down on 3s and 4s pretty harshly.</p>

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<p>Looks like you have a math problem-definitely want to interview, or address those Cs with a compelling story. Both my Midd kids had much higher IB scores-no 3s or 4s, and how did you get the 750 on the SAT? This could make the AdCom think you have a work ethic rather than understanding issue.
One of my sons was threatened with a rescinded ED acceptance for a C(79) on BC Calc in the second quarter senior year, so they definitely care about Cs. </p>

<p>I don’t know. Your skill set is interesting so I think you have a chance but you need a compelling story and to explain those poor grades. Best to make a visit, interview, and apply ED.</p>