<p>Hi, I really love William and Mary but I don't plan on applying ED because I need to keep my financial aid options open. I'm a rising senior at a very good public school in Baltimore County Maryland. My SAT is 2220 superscored (Verbal: 760 Math: 720 Writing: 740), and my best single test score was 2200. I also got an 800 on the U.S. History SAT Subject Test and 660 on the Biology E Subject Test. I'm in the top 2% of my class at school and will graduate with 13 AP credits (My school only offers 18 AP classes). I got 5 on exams for U.S. History, Environmental Science, and World History, and a 4 on the Language and Composition exam. Last year I took Calculus AB too. This year I'm taking the following AP's: European History, Literature and Composition, Statistics, Spanish VI, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, and Human Geography. My GPA is 3.9 unweighted (on a 4 point scale) and 5.43 weighted (on a 6 point scale--though the highest GPA that I think is possible with my school's scheduling is 5.75). I'm the captain of the It's Academic/Quiz Bowl Team, President of the Speech and Debate Team, Founder of the Young Republican Club, member of National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Student Government, National Merit Scholar Semifinalist (potentially finalist), and I will be an Eagle Scout in 2-3 weeks. I've also taken numerous summer classes focused on my area of interest (international relations) through Johns Hopkins' CTY. I am planning on interviewing at William and Mary this fall and attending a Fall Focus Day. </p>
<p>Question for the Admissions rep: Does the common application essay have to be under 500 words? Or can it be more than that as long as it fits on a single page?</p>
<p>I know admission is more difficult for out-of-state students but I love William and Mary! Hope the campus survived Hurricane Irene.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth I also play varsity lacrosse for my school–but I’m not a captain. </p>
<p>Another question for the admissions rep: I know most colleges want to see 4 years of high school science. Freshman year I took Gifted and Talented (GT) Biology, sophmore year I took GT Chemistry, junior year I took GT Physics and AP Environmental Science. I’m taking no science class senior year (this year). Will what I’ve taken look the same as four years of science because it’s four high-level science classes?</p>
<p>Overall you seems to have a lot of strong credentials both in your objective qualities (grades, classes, test scores) and your subjective qualities (ECs, leadership, etc.).</p>
<p>Did you take calc already? If so, great. If not we’d recommend that over AP Stats if possible. As for science, we do prefer to see students enroll in the core subjects every year that they are in high school. You have taken four science classes which is certainly better than taking only three but if there’s a way to take a sciecne class we’d recommend you do so. While your senior schedule is chalk-full of APs they are mostly social science APs. The social sciences are great but we like to see students challenge themselves across the disciplines wherever possible.</p>
<p>Overall your strength of schedule is very strong so if you don’t take a science this year that will in no way be what makes or breaks your application but if you did take a science this year that would help to balance out your schedule.</p>
<p>You are correct in that admission is more competitive for OOS students but on the whole, based on the information you’ve provided you present many strong qualities. Just be sure to highlight your accomplishments both in and out of class in your application.</p>
<p>As for the essay, 500 words is a guideline. It ensures that we can review all applications in a timely fashion. Do we do a word count? No. However, we read nearly 13,000 applications twice and thus students cannot ask us to read their overly long essay without expecting us to do the same for others so be as concise as possibe.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I took AP calc last year. I know I have a lot of social science classes this year but nearly all of the AP classes my school offers are in that category. Thanks again for answering my questions and such!</p>
<p>I go to a very competitive, huge public high school in a northern suburb of Chicago. I have a 34 ACT and I’m still gonna retake, 400 volunteer hours so far, lots of leadership from a bunch of ECs that I care a ton about, great recommendations and will graduate with 9 AP Classes with 5s so far, BUT I’m worried because my GPA is only a 4.45/5 W, and a 3.65uw. I know that’s really far below where it’s supposed to be. Plus I’m out of state. Do you think that I have a realistic chance if I apply ED next fall (I’m a junior)? W&M is my absolute dream school.</p>
<p>Also is it ok for me to take Spanish only 3 years, if I get to level 4 in that 3rd year?</p>
<p>W&M is holistic and doesn’t focus just on the GPA- so focus on the essays. They want 4th level of language, so if you are taking Spanish 4, that will satisfy the foreign language requirement so you would not have to take it there.</p>
<p>My S did 3 years of German and his school does not offer 4 years. Is that something he should have specified on the application or is that something that W & M will know that his school doesn’t have?</p>
<p>4 years of a language is not a REQUIREMENT to get in- it is a requirement to get out. So many kids want the 4 years before they get there so that they don’t have to take a foreign language while there. </p>
<p>W&M wants you to take a rigorous course load in high school- but they know that not all schools offer everything they would like to see. Whether or not they know specifically that your son’s school doesn’t offer it depends on exactly what the school profile says (go to guidance and ask for a copy if you don’t already have one) and how familiar they are with the school. If lots of kids apply to W&M- then they will have a good idea. If he is one of one or two- then they will obviously know less about the school.</p>