<p>I received an "unlikely" from Wellesley for Early Evaluation. This is devastating news for me, because I was strongly considering to attend Wellesley. Is there anything I can do, someone I can speak to? Is it possible to relay recent achievements to the admissions office?</p>
<p>You can attempt to send in extra information like a deferred/waitlisted/possiblied student, but unfortunately I feel bound to say that as far as I can tell, an unlikely letter indicates a rejection. I don’t say that officially, but from all the time I’ve hung out here on the Wellesley board, the conventional wisdom (backed up by anecdotal data) has been that a likely may as well be called an acceptance, a possibly is analogous to a deferred, and an unlikely is a rejection. In fact, my Wellesley records list my “admit type” as “Early Evaluation”, indicating to me that the school views a likely letter as an acceptance letter (if they didn’t, my admit type would be Regular Decision). I know that this is not a good news post, but I think it would be cruel to string you along. Always remember that nearly everyone who stretches themselves when applying to colleges gets some rejections and waitlists (I got two rejections and two waitlists in a half hour when I applied to college!), but that they still end up with good options (and if not, they can try it all again as a transfer student). Good luck.</p>
<p>Yes, we were told an unlikely equals a ‘no’. I guess a person could try to transfer in their sophomore year, but why go somewhere you aren’t wanted.</p>
<p>I am seriously considering Russia as an alternative since they (obviously) have great Russian studies and great fencing.</p>
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<p>Caolila, I know you are disappointed in Wellesley’s decision. You are quite talented in fencing; however, athletes at Wellesley are accepted based on their academic credentials first. Athletics can help but it is not a huge huge weight in the admissions process. Since we are a division 3 school, we do not cannot give scholarships of any kind for athletics. Perhaps you have looked into more division 1 and 2 schools? I think you may be a better fit there (and you will also have more fencing opportunities beyond NEWMACs).</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the encouragement, but fencing isn’t my only strength. I am strong in languages (evidenced by a bronze medal in Russian essay) and in debate (first place trophy my first season). I also have strong leadership skills from three summers in Culver’s leadership program. And years of music instruction on three instruments.</p>
<p>Yes, I am disappointed in Wellesley but you are right that I am probably not a good fit there. It’s just that I loved the interviewer and the academic offerings.</p>
<p>I have no idea what Wellesley is really looking for, but it seems like softer elements (leaders of discussion groups, newspapers, etc) are preferred over strong results, like medals and trophies. Reviewing the stats, I don’t see many accepted candidates with competitive results other than academics.</p>
<p>Wellesley should be a Division I fencing school. The notion that one makes an excuse to be anything less speaks to my point.</p>
<p>Wow, caolila, I know you’re upset, but isn’t that bit of a harsh statement to make, assuming I’m reading it right: reviewing the stats, I don’t see many accepted candidates with competitive results other than academics. As someone who won several awards for creative writing and debate awards of my own, among other “softer elements” you mention, I think your judgment may be clouded by your disappointment–which is understandable–but please try not to diminish our accomplishments because of it.</p>
<p>Here is just what I see on the report EE thread. I am sorry and don’t mean to diminish anyone else. I am just trying to point out that clearly, extracurricular involvement must be more important. Oh, and I have three published poems, too. </p>
<p>Decision: Likely Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing exciting…
Decision: Likely!!! Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Grand concours, National Latin Exam, art stuff
Decision: Accepted Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none =( just a few small awards
Decision: Possible Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none listed
Decision:LIKELY!!! Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none really, only subject awards from school
Accepted: Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Daughters of the American Revolution, 1st place overall county science fair, county medical society award, selected to be high school’s HOBY representitive, senior superlative: did most for school, b’nai brith award</p>
<p>i admit. i am more academic. but then again, i am going to college to STUDY.</p>
<p>My daughter just received a “likely” and she’s a two sport varsity athlete, as well as a team captain. I don’t think that you can make generalizations that Wellesley is looking for a particular type of candidate, other than she be smart, accomplished and motivated.</p>
<p>I agree completely, Gourmetmom. That’s a perfect way of putting it.</p>
<p>Yes, Gourmetmom that is perfect. My point was that sports are only one facet of a student’s extracurriculars at Wellesley. Wellesley students however are first and foremost students, then athletes.</p>
<p>I wasn’t going to participate again on this thread but since nobody else who was rejected will even post stats I feel that the spotlight is on criticizing my academic abilities now. </p>
<p>Had I stayed at home in my small town high school, I could have easily had a 3.6-3.7 gpa. I could have continued in track, piano, clarinet and all the other things I loved. But I gave it all up to pursue a dream - a dream that I could get better at fencing. And it cost me dearly. I left my family, my fiends and everything (my dog who died while I was away) behind. I moved to a city where I didn’t know anyone and lived with a stranger. I didn’t even know how to drive when I moved there. Just getting your drivers license in Houston is a nightmare - you have to get there at like 4 am and stand in a line. And I moved from an academically weak high school to a language magnet in Houston, which wiki states ranks in the top 0.5% of high schools in the nation. Two years later I was an AP scholar with a national bronze national medal in fencing. And I discovered that I had many other skills, like debate and Russian (which I love). But the crushing homework load (4 hrs a night on average) was a real struggle on top of training and traveling the national circuit. I just couldn’t get it all done and a lot of it was busy work.</p>
<p>You know, getting a national medal in any sport is very different level than playing on a high school team. The intensity is incredible. In fencing, you also have the burden of having to travel all over the country to compete.</p>
<p>Now I am basically at University acing my classes with my eyes closed. I took a junior level English class regarding the plays of Shakespeare because I had a perfect 5 on the AP English language exam. And I was able to take to a junior level history class on the Age of Jefferson and Jackson, too. I have an award winning Russian instructor. I am very lucky for these opportunities.</p>
<p>So, please don’t tell me I’m not a good student just because my two years in Houston were so difficult. Please understand that all of you had moms cooking, cleaning and helping to drive you places. I had to do those things on top of everything else.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade any of my experiences for the easier path. I’ve traveled the US on the national circuit and have made so many fantastic friends. I’ve fenced at wonderful schools like Northwestern and Notre Dame, and have seen so many cities - it is just amazing.</p>
<p>And despite what anyone might say, my three 6-week summers at Culver also taught some great lessons. At Culver I served as a unit officer, excelled at equestrian events, rowing, and made many life long (international) friends there, too.</p>
<p>On reflection, my rich tapestry of experiences, academics and activities, will stand me in good stead wherever I go. And, after participating in this thread, I am absolutely certain that my abilities are no less than the women who were accepted to Wellesley.</p>
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<p>That may be true, but that is the mystery of the admissions process. I know I was as qualified as any applicant at the schools I didn’t get into when I was applying to colleges, and I was definitely hurt by this four years ago. But now, I have realized that those schools were really doing me a favor by not admitting me; those admissions committees looked at my application and saw that in some way, I would not have been happy at their institution. And I would agree with that now; you definitely get a new perspective of college-life and other colleges once you’ve actually been to college on a full-time basis (summer programs and a random course here and there definitely do not count – I did those too, and it’s really not the same).</p>
<p>"you definitely get a new perspective of college-life and other colleges once you’ve actually been to college on a full-time basis (summer programs and a random course here and there definitely do not count – I did those too, and it’s really not the same). "</p>
<p>Yes, I agree. This year I have been at University all day, with the exception of one HS course last fall. I should probably be a transfer student except for the fact that I elected not to take the HS certificate till this May. Being on a University campus all day gives you a good perspective on the school, and college life in general. Our campus is an engineering school, though, which really doesn’t offer me the level of humanities that I am seeking.</p>
<p>Today, I am busy with four beautiful german shepherd puppies from a mom we rescued from a puppy mill. I get to keep one to replace my dog that I lost to cancer. And I have landed a part time job as an editor for a major online website. Hopefully my other university choice will work out, too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input Welles10. I’ve appreciated your responses to my posts.</p>
<p>Good luck with everything! I hope you find a place where you fit well :)</p>
<p>…and free tuition, too…:)</p>
<p>Haha free tuition is always the best!</p>
<p>My daughter applied to 13 schools last year. She was rejected by 8 of them. That doesn’t means she’s not a great person/student. She ended up at Wellesley (got “possible” in EE, then waitlisted, then was offered a spot in June). She had a great first semester, did very well in her classes and loves it. She almost didn’t get accepted, yet she is thriving there. I’m also sure she would have been a great student at the 8 schools that didn’t admit her. So please don’t interpret a rejection from any college admissions office as a statement on you or your abilities.</p>
<p>Thank you college_query. That is a really kind and encouraging post. It takes a great person to write something like this.</p>
<p>I am hoping for my second choice now. I have free tuition there and, if accepted, the savings will enable me to study language and fence in Russia every summer (if I wish to). It isn’t a fencing school, though…:(</p>
<p>just wondering, did you apply to any fencing schools: penn state, notre dame, columbia, duke, northwestern, etc? (you said you liked notre dame and northwestern before)</p>