help!! hamilton!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Hamilton College
1

<p>I graduated from highschool this year with a low gpa and have chosed to take a gap year. My gpa was a 3.53, as I was always bright in highschool but lacked interest during freshman and sophomore year (parents were getting divorced). Junior year I did much better and senior year I had a 4.4 gpa, overall though, my high school gpa is a 3.53. I got a 33 on the ACT and 2310 on the SAT. I read that Hamilton's avg admitted student gpa is 3.88 and ACT usually around 31. I feel like it is actually higher though :-/<br>
During my gap year this year, here is what Ill be doing:
(I am wondering if I have any chance at getting into Hamilton college for their undergrad neuroscience program, I am also looking at other colleges with neuroscience programs such as Brandeis, trinity college, claremont mckenna, lehigh, and wash and lee). I want to major in neuro and minor in english, or double major. </p>

<p>August through December:
I am a certified nursing assistant and will be working part time doing this WHILE doing the other things that I have set up.
I will also be taking online college credit courses throughout august-december in order to get college credit for CLEP Exams. ( I will still be applying to colleges as a freshman however)
October-november:
Interning at an Eating Disorder Rehab Facility in Salt Lake City. Meanwhile I will also be working at a hospital as a certified nursing assistant and taking online classes.
November-december:
6 weeks teaching english in germany
1 week shadowing a neurosurgeon at johns hopkins (he is a family friend)</p>

<p>I WILL BE APPLYING TO HAMILTON JAN 1. </p>

<p>december -january:
5 week medical internship working in health clinics, teaching health classes, doing house calls and follow ups, and teaching about nutritions and family planning in nepal. </p>

<p>january-may:
spring internship in london - will be doing many different health/medical jobs/learning about healthcare, and volunteering in hospitals</p>

<p>Do I have any chance at getting into hamilton even though i will have to apply half way through my gap year? Or any of the other schools?</p>

2

<p>Hey there,</p>

<p>I feel like you have a great chance at getting into Hamilton. The fact that you are being very active scholastically/experientially during your gap year is a great thing to let the committee know about. You should write a letter explaining your parents’ divorce and its effect on your freshman and sophomore GPA. By bettering your academic efforts in subsequent years, you show your determination in academia. </p>

<p>For reference:
I am a Chinese Male accepted to Hamilton’s class of 2016.<br>
SAT: 2190 ACT: 33
SAT Bio: 790 Chem: 700
GPA: 4.9 (3.7 unweighted) </p>

<p>Certified EMT-B, several languages, etc.</p>

<p>I don’t think there was much else. My profile wasn’t that impressive haha</p>

<p>I feel that your test scores and experiences were significantly better than mine. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Hi! I’m a current Hamilton student (I’ll be a sophomore this year). I also did a gap year before coming to Hamilton last fall–I studied as an exchange student in Holland with Rotary International. Hamilton definitely places a huge emphasis on study abroad programs–you know, exploring the world to have a broader understanding of the global community. I think you are definitely a great candidate for Hamilton, especially since your academic interests span both Neuroscience AND English! Quite impressive resume from what I’ve read as well. I say, go ahead and apply! Interviews are also highly recommended, and even during your gap year you can schedule an off campus interview. Good luck with the whole college process; I hope this helped!</p>

4

<p>Definitely go for it. I think you would be a competitive candidate, especially with your test scores. Your GPA may be a little low, but I don’t think it is a total deal breaker since you’ve shown great improvement over your four years. Also, the things you will be doing during your gap year sound incredible and I think they are great resume boosters. You’ll never know if you don’t try. Good luck!!</p>