Hamilton, what are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Hamilton College
1

<p>I am applying to competitive schools but am wondering what are my chances at getting into this school since it is my current favorite campuses that I have ever visited (and I have visited a lot). </p>

<p>Info:
Low-income
Hispanic
First in Family to go to College</p>

<p>Academics:
Weighted GPA: 4.03
Unweighted GPA: 3.69
GPA 3.3 my first semester freshmen year, but has been rising over time. GPA went from a 4.5 to a 4.1 my Junior year, though, because of an overwhelming amount of extracerriculars.</p>

<p>AP's:
AP Euro 10th grade: 4
AP English 11th grade: 5
AP US History 11th grade: 5
AP Biology 11th grade: 3
AP Government 12th grade
AP Physics 1 12th grade
AP Calculus AB 12th grade
AP Psychology 12th grade
AP Macroeconomics (Test only, self studying)</p>

<p>Testing:
SAT 2030 highest score, the following are both scores (CR: 640, 620/ Math: 710, 750/ Writing: 600, 660)
SAT Math 1: 620
SAT Bio Molecular: 600
SAT Math 2 Pending
SAT Bio Ecological Pending
SAT
ACT: 32 highest score, the following are both scores (CR: 32, 33/ Math: 33, 31/ Writing: 32, 33/ Science: 32, 33)</p>

<p>Honors:
1. Principal Honor Roll, 10-11
2. Tiger Woods Foundation OC-CAN Scholar, 11, 12, Post-graduate
3. Top 8 from Anaheim High in Local Chemist Olympiad Competition, 10
4. AP Scholar with Honor, 11
5. Finals - Track, Hurdles, for the 110 meters and 300 meters.9, 10.</p>

<p>Extracerriculars:
1. Bros, Bros is a brotherhood to send minority students to college. I have completed 125.5 community service (CS) hours in this club. Senior Rep 9-12
2. Project SAY, PSAY is meant to raise one's leadership skills.This includes public speaking, community service, and sports. I completed 37.5 CS hours in this club. 9-12
3. Raising Student Voices and Participation, Raising Student Voices & Participation has students host summits that involve the whole school to come up and plan a change for their campus. 11-12
4. UC Irvine Pre-Med Mentorship Program, It is meant to get students better acquainted with the health profession and to conduct research on a medical issue, where I chose anorexia. 11th grade
5. Orange County Community Congregation Organization, A non-profit who tries to raise the voter turnout among minorities who don't vote and who attempt to get legislation pass that would lead to more of a Democratic City/State. 12th Grade
6. National Honors Society-Treasurer, Event Planner, NHS serves to honor those students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship and service. I was Assistant Treasurer in 11th grade. 10-12
7. California Parks and Recreation Society, I provided a one hour presentation on stress and time management to a group of students and adults. 11th grade
8. ASB - Public Relations, Class of 2015 Treasurer, I was in charge of the supplies and advertisement. I was also in charge of all financial issues of Prom. I completed 32.5 CS hours in ASB.
9. Tiger Woods Foundation – OC-CAN Scholar, Scholar, A selective program for high-achieving students with an emphasis on college access and success. 11-12
10. California Scholarship Federation, CSF seeks to recognize students living in the state of California who possess high academic standards.</p>

2

<p>You’ll be competitive is the best you can say about any school that only accepts 25% of applicants. Getting in would not surprise me, but nothing is automatic. Just remember, everything counts.</p>

<p>FWIW, your ACT superscores out as a 33 and is a lot stronger than your SAT I and II. If you needed to save a few dollars, I’d just send your ACTs.</p>

3

<p>@wencito:</p>

<p>You clearly believe in social evolution . . .</p>

<p>Your extracurriculars extend well beyond the typical high school variety (chess club, etc.). This is absolutely fine, and perhaps preferable, but may also mean that you may need to work a little harder to establish to the College what type of student you will be. For example, is there a connection between your current extracurriculars and what you would like to pursue academically and outside of class at Hamilton? Your interview would be more intructive than most. I hope you had one.</p>

<p>The rest will come down to your academics, testing and full transcript. I concur with @MrMom62 that your ACT helps you, while your SAT scores are generally weaker. Though even your weaker scores would not put you out of consideration.</p>

<p>Btw, do you mean a more “Democratic” city/state, or “democratic?” The former could distance you from a Republican file-reader!</p>

<p>So see this through and you will get your answer in April. Wishing you success!</p>

4

<p>@merc81 OMG thank you so much on that! yes, democratic. That would have been bad if I hadn’t caught that. Amazing how such a small thing can change the whole definition of something, haha.
As for the interview, I had one when I went on the Hamilton Fly-In program. Unfortunately, such a thing did not come to mind but I did talk about the OCCCO thing. But in my supplement, I’ll see if I can squeeze that in there.</p>

5

<p>@wencito: Use your judgment. My comments were based partly on what I would want to know, and may not apply to the interests of the admissions committee. To suggest firmly that you make changes would be unfair to you, especially if you have to “squeeze that in there[!]” </p>

6

<p>Change “weaker” to “less strong” above. This language better characterizes your SAT scores.</p>

7

<p>Wencito, the fact that you’re a URM and first generation to attend college, and most importantly, were accepted to the highly competitive Diversity Program, significantly increases the chances of a favorable outcome in April. </p>