Early Decision to Williams

Demographics: Male, caucasian, Boston, public high school (2000 students)

I moved to a Boston school at the end of Sophomore year from Illinois.

Intended major(s): Pre-med/pre-law, gender studies, film studies

Academics:

ACT: 35 composite, 35 on all sections

SAT Subject Tests: Math 2 800, Bio E 740, Latin 720

GPA: 3.8 (school only offers unweighted)

Coursework: All highest classes, taking two languages (Latin and Chinese), 3 APs this year (Junior year), English, Latin, and APUSH. I skipped a year of Latin when I moved to this school, so I don’t know if that would help at all.

Awards: Gold Medal on National Latin Exam freshman and sophomore year, honor roll four semesters so far, won almost every track meet in Pole Vault (will go into that later).

Extracurriculars:

(Before I moved to this school) Volunteered at a local hospital, worked at a local toy shop for a year and a half, worked at a day camp as a counselor for three summers in a row, started an Irish culture club, started a badminton team (and fundraised all the money by myself – turned $20 into $500), member of track and field team at my high school (won conference indoor and outdoor in pole vault my sophomore year), and made short movies in my free time.

(After moving) Volunteer at local, famous private library, volunteer at local hospital, volunteer at an LGBTQ legal hotline, started a neuroscience club at my school, still making videos, member of a Samba club, writing poetry and papers in my free time. Also practicing pole vault 3-4 times a week in the offseason at MIT and Harvard.

Leadership: Was listed above.

Schools: Early Decision to Williams. Or, Early Decision to Northwestern.

Have you contacted the track coach? Can you vault at Williams?

Not yet. It’s a long story, but I’m going to be getting actually-recruitable heights this coming season. I was planning on contacting him after. Or would you recommend I get in contact now?

Nah, wait. Your admission chances, though, may change dramatically if you’re a tipped recruit!

Ok, thanks. But as to just the extracurriculars and the GPA/scores, what would you say for ED chances? My college counselor said that there’s nothing on there that makes them go “wow,” and that kind of killed any confidence I had with Williams.

Did you apply ED? If so, I would definitely follow up with a call or email to the track coach. A letter from him – even something well short of full support – could easily tip the scales in your favor. Your academic numbers are terrific, but it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle.

(The OP is a junior, @GoNats )

Yeah @GoNats just prospective right now. But thanks!