<p>I'm not your typical CC user. I've never studied for a standardized test, I haven't an inkling in regards to my career path, and I'm certainly not on my way to curing cancer. So there you go. Some of the posts here scare me. Not to judge-- but I am a little bit freaked out. But here I am, begging for opinions. All I've heard it "you'll never get in blah blah blah!" And of course I don't want to get my hopes up... but they are. I plan to take the SAT for a second time to raise my scores, then apply in the first Early Decision round. </p>
<p>Number stats:
-SAT: CR: 670, M: 650, W: 670, essay: 10
-ACT: 29 composite (can't remember exact section scores, but they were between 28 and 31). Essay: 11
-Weighted GPA: 4.2
-Public city high school in central VA, top 10% of class</p>
<p>Other info:
-I run cross country and track, I'm a captain this year. I've been in contact with Kenyon and other schools about running in college.
-NHS member
-International Thespian Society
-National Language Honor Society
-Latin club officer for past few years
-Young liberals club
-School band
-I've played piano for 10 years, and have recorded some pieces that I may send in as supplementary material
-I was a counselor this summer at an all girls' camp in NC after attending as a camper for 8 years. Headed back next summer.
-Random awards for a few things
-Participation last year in a biology-related research project through Virginia Tech
-Will have taken 8 AP courses by time of graduation</p>
<p>In regards to Kenyon:
-Visited twice
-Had a really good interview. It ended up lasting about an hour and a half. I got an email from my area rep. admissions counselor about it several weeks afterwards.
-Meeting with area rep. when she comes to visit my school in several weeks
-Met with XC/track coach, have been in contact for a while
-I'll probably have good recs, including one from a teacher whose daughter went to Kenyon.
-Probably more interested in following some sort of science-y path</p>
<p>That's me in a bullet-point list. Tear me apart, give me a little confidence, whatever. I'm a pretty normal kid and I feel like I lack some of the factors on my resume that make everyone around here so... intimidating.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, I feel the same way…I’m not into studying for the tests and all either. :D</p>
<p>I visited Kenyon earlier this month, and really liked it! I’m not much for giving chances, but I think you’ve got a decent shot, especially if you apply ED.
I believe Kenyon does not look at the writing score on the SAT, or really care. Worry about getting your verbal and math up. (My issue personally is getting my 630 Math score up without accidentally getting my 780 verbal down. 150 point gap much?)</p>
<p>Why not send the piano stuff? It might help, but if it doesn’t, it can’t hurt you either. I’m sending a photography portfolio even though I don’t plan to go into art. I think art supplements can help you stand apart from the “crowd”. Your track achievements will certainly help you in that area too, especially if you’ve been in touch with the coach.</p>
<p>Well, the SAT is superscored. That way even if you don’t do as well on the math section, the 780 will still stand with whatever your best scores are in the other categories. That’s not the case with the ACT, however. </p>
<p>I’m quite interested in photography as well, and I’ve developed my own b&w pictures in a basement darkroom since I was about 12. I’d consider sending in some sort of portfolio as well, but I don’t want to let my supplementary information become overkill or anything. </p>
<p>Ahhh college. I can’t wait until this whole process is over (which makes ED even more appealing)!</p>
<p>It certainly does make ED more appealing…though on my end, if I’m gutsy enough to apply ED, it’ll probably be to Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Oh, yeah, I know the SAT is superscored, but my parents don’t quite understand that scoring can be…weird, and that my verbal could drop ten or twenty points, regardless of my aptitude in the area. They’re not obsessive parents or anything like that, but they told me I’d have to pay for my second SAT if my scores don’t go up. And I was like, “In…all sections? Because…err…”</p>
<p><em>eyes pop out</em> Darkrooooom…we used to have one at school, but they took it out after my sophomore year. So I bought myself a digital SLR.
But yeah, I guess it might be a bit much if you sent music and art and the athletic stuff.</p>
<p>I do not see any reason you would not be accepted. Your other accomplishments beyond test scores are very good, and you scores are not poor enough to exclude you as they currently stand.</p>
<p>If you’re really serious about considering Kenyon enough to apply ED1, then I would make sure my essays speak to the admissions committee. I’d also make sure that your recommendation letter really speaks to them about your character and personality inside and outside of the classroom. I think that, coupled with your interests might give you a really good shot.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking a lot about essays lately. I’m fairly sure that I’ve got letters of rec covered, but the essays have me stumped. I’ve got some ideas, but I suppose I’m concerned about going too far “out of the box.” For one particular short answer question I’ve written a rough-draft in response to, I can imagine two possible reactions from the admissions committee:
“Oh, lovely, how original!”
or
“Um…? Ew. REJECT.” </p>
<p>Also, another concern-- my lack of SAT subject tests. I don’t want to put the blame on my guidance counselor, for it certainly had to do with my lack of motivation/research, but I was told last spring that a student could take both the SAT I and II on the same day. When I went to register, I obviously learned otherwise. I was out of town for the June testing date, and I chose to register for the reasoning test in October, which puts subject tests before the ED deadline out of the question. I realize that at Kenyon, subject tests are “considered if submitted,” but that seems somewhat ambiguous to me. I’m not sure if I’d be better off applying ED without the scores or waiting until RD and have the SAT IIs under my belt. I’ve been set on applying ED for a while now, but I wouldn’t want to be held back by something like this.</p>
<p>I had a good meeting with my area rep when she visited my school last week. She said she’d be “rooting for me” come decisions time, but given the nature of the entire admissions game, I don’t want to get my hopes up! My qualm regarding SAT IIs has been settled, so early decision is a GO. I’m nervous and excited.. keeping my fingers crossed.</p>
<p>Quick question: does anyone know if Kenyon requests first quarter grades from ED1 applicants? On their website, they mention “first term” grades, but in the actual application, guidance counselors are required to turn in a list of courses in progress for the first report, then semester grades for the midyear report. I wasn’t sure if “first term” grades fall under the category of courses in progress/first report, or if they refer to semester grades.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Yes, they request them. But my son’s high school doesn’t have quarters, only two semesters, so he was advised to submit all his current grades in every course in progress. His GC did so and he was fine. He is a junior at KC.</p>
<p>Oops, I haven’t been to this website so excuse my lateness but yes, Kenyon will request your grades. You should make sure to request your counselor send them at the end of each semester for them. </p>
<p>And as far as your essay idea is concerned – go for it. I’ve heard a lot of my friends applications essays and some were <em>really</em> out there but they got in. It’s not so much the “right” answer that Kenyon is looking for, but rather, a well-thought out essay that speaks about you. :)</p>
