<p>I'm applying Regular Decision to Grinnell College. I was curious to see who else is applying, if I have a chance of acceptance and some input about the school in general because I've never visited.</p>
<p>So here's my credentials:</p>
<p>11 of 13 APs available at my high school (would have taken them all if it wasn't for scheduling difficulties)
4.78 GPA
6th in my class of almost 400
7 years of French, fluent
In the process of having a short story published in a text book
Co-authoring a book on Constructivism in the classroom
Co-authoring article for NCTE journal w/Penn Grad student
Gave presentation at NCTE National Conference in the fall, was part of the only high school presentation at the conference
Have presented multiple classes at local university about constructivism, have been asked to present to a masters class at UPenn about constructivism </p>
<p>EC's:
District X Band
Principal clarinetist in concert band since sophomore year, section leader since sophomore year
4 years in Jazz ensemble
Member of COTA Cats (Extremely selective East Coast Jazz band)
Local college community band
USSBA All Star Jazz Band</p>
<p>300 hours of community service
Coordinator of school wide ALex's Lemonade Stand fundraisers in my high school for the past 2 years
Coordinator of 3 NHS community service groups
Leadership coordinator for National Honors Society
Key Club member</p>
<p>Treasurer of school wide student government
Corresponding secretary for class of 2010</p>
<p>Varsity tennis 4 years (I'm being recruited for Grinnell's team)
Long and triple jump on Track team for 3 years</p>
<p>Varsity Scholastic Scrimmage 1 year
Varsity Mock trial 1 year
PAML 3 years
Captain of Reading Olympics team 2 years
Reading Olympics participant 2 years
Model UN 3 years at Lehigh University</p>
<p>SATs:
CR 680
M 600
W 640
SAT II's
Lit 700
Math 1 600
AM Hist 600</p>
<p>Other information:
Pennsylvania resident
Multiracial applicant, European and Native American</p>
<p>I'm apprehensive about applying, but since I'm a top choice for the tennis team I am definitely going to apply. Iowa is just really far away from my family. So any input about my chances of being accepted and what the campus is like would really help me. No one from my school has ever applied to Grinnell and none of my friends had ever heard of the school before either...</p>
<p>I’m a really bad test taker… I honestly, don’t know much about Grinnell, acceptance and blah, blah, blah. Are my SAT scores that low in comparison to who they usually accept? Have you visited?</p>
<p>Right now there is definitely one thing I can say about Grinnell: You will see a lot of snow!
Anyway, you are likely to get in with those stats. Especially if you have being a recruited athlete as a hook.</p>
<p>I’ve never been off the East Coast so I really have no idea what Iowa is like at all. When I asked the tennis coach the one thing he said is theres a lot of fields… which didn’t really help me much. I really want to go and visit, but financially that won’t work out unless I get accepted.</p>
<p>Another question, does anyone know what the social scene is like at Grinnell? I’ve read the insider’s guide and student reviews about the school, but I’m just looking for some opinions.</p>
<p>I’m applying RD! I’m from California, and Grinnell among my “first choices.” I visited over the summer…the campus is so cool! It’s fun to drive there…our GPS said: “Continue for 215 miles…” LOL. It’s definitely pretty isolated but I thought the town was pretty cute and the campus is gorgeous and the facilities were honestly some of the best I’ve seen (except the dorms…they’re kind of average I think…but some have kitchens!)</p>
<p>OP–your test scores may not be on the high side, but everything else about you is. I think you are really in the ballpark. My son is a junior, just finishing studying abroad in Morocco. The town is incredibly rural and Midwestern. The campus is lovely and the students are very diverse so you won’t feel like you’re in rural IA when you are with your wonderful, welcoming fellow students and faculty on campus. So far, my son has enjoyed his dorms, but the best thing is the students. You might as well apply. Unless your favorite activity is shopping in high-end boutiques. None of those in Grinnell. But there are all kinds of great activities–lectures, performances, quirky clubs and organizations. Almost all activities are free.</p>
<p>I’m applying RD, too, and Grinnell is definitely my top choice! I visited not too long ago and in addition to the academics, campus and funding of on-campus events, which I expected to be excellent, I was impressed by how nice and interesting all of the students are. The food is also great!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone that really helps! My SAT scores are definitely the weakest point of my app and I’m hoping they don’t rule me out of schools like Grinnell.</p>
<p><em>Squints eyes in worried manner</em> I’m really not sure you’ll get in. I mean, your SAT scores are IMMENSELY sub-par. And your extra-curriculars? I would have tried to do a few more of those if I were you. Grinnell doesn’t like slackers…</p>
<p>By the way, you have to be kidding. There is no way you WON’T get in…come on, man. Best of luck to you, though!</p>
<p>sylviewilv- at first I was like wow that’s brutally honest… haha thanks</p>
<p>Vossron- I personally HATE the SATs and I wish I had started taking them a lot earlier than I did in an attempt to do better. I’m just hoping that the other aspects of my application out weigh my bad scores… Hopefully, by the time they’re making the decision I’ll have a few articles published in the NCTE journal to send them. I’m just trying to think of things that would help balance out my poor SAT scores.</p>
<p>Belladilauro - in all honesty, I really wouldn’t worry about your SAT scores. They are not bad at all. I scored very low on the SAT math section (460), and I was sure that that would affect me negatively in the admissions process. I just received my acceptance letter from Grinnell, though, so it seems that they are most definitely willing to look beyond trivial things like imperfect test scores (thank god!)
Anyways, it is a great school, I’m thrilled to have gotten in, and I honestly wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>Admissions committees look at the “whole picture” not just test scores. And really, there is SO much controversy about standardized tests that many colleges and universities often take them with a grain of salt if you can otherwise prove your worth. </p>
<p>BTW. I’m a Grinnell grad and my SATs were horrible (a bit below 1200). My stats in the year 2000:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.9 GPA
SAT: 1160
SAT II History: 700
SAT II Biology: 640
AP Scores: 5 Literature, 5 European History, 5 U.S. History, 4 Biology, 5 Art History
High School Academic awards in Philosophy and History
Extracurricular Activities: Multi-cultural club, Community Service Club, fencing, creative-writing</p>
<p>And that was it!</p>
<p>(I was accepted into Macalester, Beloit, Whitman, Carleton, Kenyon and Franklin and Marshall College) </p>
<p>It can be done. Don’t stress any more than you need to.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I hate the SATs and I wish schools did take them with a grain of salt because obviously every applicant is so much more than a number. Recently, I have been stressing out a lot over my scores and my chances of getting in anywhere…</p>
<p>I’ve been looking at Grinnell a lot over the past week or so and its definitely up at the top of my list. Its just so far away from where I live…</p>
<p>SAT/ACT are the available standardized measures, and so are important, but are just one factor. At our D’s LAC, test scores plus GPA plus rank together count for only 20% of admission factors; other LACs reportedly have a similar view. This is why we think you have a good chance. :)</p>
<p>You have a good shot at Grinnell. They are looking for well rounded individuals. It is an amazing school and not that far via plane ride. Don’t worry so much about your SAT’s you have a very good resume and they will look at the whole picture. </p>
<p>Not to dampen your hopes, but Grinnell’s stated admission formula is much different from the one Vossron describes. Grinnell’s website says that it weighs the transcript (i.e., G.P.A., class rank, rigor of curriculum) at 50%; standardized testing at 25%; and everything else at 25%.</p>
<p>First of all, did you like the guys on the tennis team? You’ll be spending a lot of time with them. We know several and they are a terrific group-smart, witty and focused-but you’re the one who has to feel at home.</p>
<p>Socially, S says there is way more to do than he has time for and he is never bored. And yes, the food and facilities are terrific. Like BethieVT says, if you like to shop, you will find Grinnell disappointing. If you need to have urban amenities, you won’t find it without a drive to Iowa City or Des Moines (an hour away). But if close relationships with smart, unpretentious and interesting people (including faculty) are a high priority, Grinnell has it in spades.</p>
<p>We’d never spent any time in the midwest, let alone the rural part of the midwest. Turns out that it’s really lovely in the fall (and winter if you like snow), people are so considerate that they turn off their lawn mowers when you go by to avoid interrupting your conversations, and the you won’t have time to miss your family after the first week. Go for it!</p>