How do I stack up for Grinnell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Grinnell College
1

My stats are:

Test score: ACT 35 C (non-superscored: 35 M, 34 E, 35 S, 35 R)
GPA: 3.93/4.0 (unweighted from a large, noncompetitive public school: 3.8 Freshman year and 4.0 since)

Ranking: Top 5% (not valedictorian or salutatorian)

AP: Taken 13 by the end of this year. One freshman year (5) and one sophomore year (3). 5 last year ( scores of 5, 5, 5, 4, 3). taking six AP’s now.

EC’s: Competitive swimmer (not a recruit) for 3 years. Most likely able to be a walk-on for Grinnell.
Chess Club, Knowledge Bowl, NHS, the usual. Worked at Subway for 1.5 years and for my school for 2 years (lots of work).
Volunteered ~ 60 hours this past summer. Mensan active member and magazine writer. Evergreen Boys State participant (and won a scholarship from it). Nothing too groundbreaking here.

Essays: Common App 8/10

Demographics:

Your typical/generic upper middle class white male. From Washington State.

2

The best way to chance yourself is to look at the latest Common Data Set for Grinnell, Section C, and compare your stats to those of the admitted students. Give yourself a sight boost because you are a guy and the ratio of male/female applicants is slightly in your favor at most LACs (who want to keep the ratio 50/50 or close). Give yourself another slight boost for being a Washington State resident: Half of Grinnell’s student body is from the midwest and they, like most LACs, value geographic diversity. Award yourself a few more points if you made the effort to visit or to research the dept. you are likely to major in and can cite why Grinnell is a uniquely good fit - demonstrated interest and fit matter here more than most places since it’s a school with a strong personality.