I want candy (Colleges That Change Lives schools)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I already know what schools I'm applying to, but I'm still worried about my chances and would appreciate some feedback. I'm applying to regionally respected institutions, most of which are members of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL). The onle exception is Smith, my big reach. </p>

<p>My GPA is 3.3 UW with no AP classes, and I am well aware of how much that will hurt me. I am depending on my above-average test scores, excellent essay-writing ability (I hope), and interesting life story. </p>

<p>I am taking the SAT in December and sending my scores directly to the schools. My ACT composite score was 29 (35 English and 18 Math). </p>

<p>My courseload presents some problems; I have great electives (yes to Study of Shakespeare, Chemistry, and Advanced Art!), but my disability has forced me to shoulder a lighter-than-I'd-like academic load, i.e. two years of Latin instead of three or four, Algebra II instead of Pre-Calculus, CP classes instead of AP. I also have to take an ongoing, credit-consuming course of occupational therapy. </p>

<p>Then again, not many people can walk into a college interview and say "I'm autistic" or "I've read about 500 books since I've started high school" or "I've been a Presbyterian, a Catholic, a Gnostic Christian, a Wiccan, an atheist, a Buddhist, a Muslim, and a Deist." I have more to talk about than most people, and more motivation to talk about it. </p>

<p>My ECs: Literary Magazine (editor and contributor), Creative Writing Club, O.N.E. (diversity club), Gay-Straight Alliance, giving speeches at autism conferences</p>

<p>Colleges:
Agnes Scott College (CTCL) (EA)
Beloit College (CTCL)
Guilford College (CTCL)
Hendrix College (CTCL)
Kalamazoo College (CTCL)
Maryville College
Smith College
The College of Wooster (CTCL)</p>

2

<p>Oops! I forgot to say that I’m a white female from Tennessee.</p>

3

<p>Miss P- I don’t know much about the schools you are applying to, but if you communicate in person as well as you can write, I think you will do well at a mid-selective school that isn’t too obsessed about your math skills. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>I’m going to have to bump…</p>

5

<p>You should be in at the College of Wooster with a little merit money based on you ECs and the topics of your college interview. They pride themselves on taking people who didn’t get the 4.0 in high school but that had nothing to do with a lack of intelligence. Then they kick them out as Fulbright scholars :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I know this says it in the book but it really is the best kept secret in education. If you have any questions about the school feel free to message me, I went there.</p>

6

<p>i don’t really know much aout you schools but, they may have high acceptance rates so it should be fine for you</p>

7

<p>Admissions rates:
Agnes Scott: 45%
Smith: 53%
Beloit: 60%
Guilford: 60%
Kalamazoo: 63%
Wooster: 74%
Maryville: 79%
Hendrix: 83%</p>

8

<p>Hey thanks for chancing me! I don’t know anything about the schools you’re applying to, so I can’t chance you back… Sorry :frowning:
But you sound like you have a really interesting story to share and you’ll definitely get into some great schools; good luck!</p>

9

<p>Just write moving essays about how you have struggled and then learned to deal with your disability. Your great test scores will REALLY show the adcoms about your determination to overcome obstacles.</p>

<p>In for all.</p>

10

<p>As for your CTCL schools, my guess is that you will get into all of them. My question is, other than all the schools being liberal arts colleges, what are you looking for in a school?</p>

11

<p>Factors that influenced my college choices:</p>

<ol>
<li>Location: midwest, south, or northeast</li>
<li>Location: small city, town, or suburb (I couldn’t handle a big city school like Barnard)</li>
<li>Size: less than 3,000 students</li>
<li>Focus: liberal arts and sciences </li>
<li>Academics: undergraduate research opportunities</li>
<li>Academics: strong psychology department</li>
<li>Services: learning disability support and personal counseling</li>
<li>Financial Aid: reputation for low asking price (like Hendrix) or decent financial aid (like Agnes Scott)</li>
<li>Politics: left-leaning student body</li>
<li>Housing: single-sex dorms that aren’t overcrowded (I need my privacy)</li>
<li>Profs: reputation for lots of student-faculty interaction</li>
</ol>

<p>Factors that did not:</p>

<ol>
<li>Religious Affiliation: Hendrix is Methodist; Guilford is Quaker; Agnes Scott and Maryville are Presbyterian. It doesn’t matter as long as the people are friendly and accepting. </li>
<li>Distance From Home: Mom made me apply to one school in Tennessee (Maryville), but otherwise I have made decisions based on the merits of the schools, not their distance from my house. </li>
<li>Availability of Major: psychology is not an offbeat major that one has to shop around for. Most, if not all, LACs have it.</li>
<li>Weather: Kalamazoo, Michigan? I’ll bring a jacket.</li>
<li>Prestige: I care more about the experience than the name on the diploma.</li>
</ol>

12

<p>I do not know much about the CTCL on your list, but I would say you have a good chance at all of them. Thanks for answering my question!</p>

13

<p>Thanks for chancing me… but I’m not really familiar with your schools :d Well, judging from the acceptance rates, I think you’ll have a shot at all of them. Good luck!</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/808348-whatcha-say-you-chance-me-today-i-chance-back-jason-derulo-style.html?highlight=whatcha[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/808348-whatcha-say-you-chance-me-today-i-chance-back-jason-derulo-style.html?highlight=whatcha&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

14

<p>Youre ACT score is well above average for these schools, making up for your somewhat low gpa. I say in or good chance at all schools listed</p>

15

<p>Personally, I wouldn’t be too concerned about sticker price. It really all comes down to the financial aid/scholarship package and the mix of loans and scholarship.</p>

<p>Have you considered Earlham? It also seems to meet your criteria and is traditionally quite good when it comes to financial aid. </p>

<p>In terms of your midwestern schools (Kalamazoo, Wooster, Beloit), all three are fine schools. My impression is that Kalamzaoo probably has the largest portion of Michigan/midwestern kids; Wooster may draw a little more heavily from the East Coast; and Beloit probably has a greater smattering of students from all over, but more East Coast students than Kalamazoo.</p>

<p>When I was making my choice way back when (full disclosure, I am a Beloit alum), one of the things that drew me to Beloit was the class distribution requirements – or I should say the relatively free hand Beloit gives its students. However, my brother, who went to Earlham, liked the fairly stringent distribution requirements of that school. And I think that the distribution requirements do play a role in the “vibe” of a school. Of the three midwestern schools on your list, Beloit probably has more of a free-wheeling vibe than either Kalamazoo or Wooster. Just my impressions. </p>

<p>Of course, the best way to tell is for you to visit. A Wooster, Kalamazoo, Beloit swing could certainly be done. Good luck!</p>

16

<p>I love K college!! I got in but it was too much $$ for me. you should try to visit, its great.
Agnes Scott College-- Match
Beloit College-- Match
Guilford College-- Low Match/Safety?
Hendrix College-- Match
Kalamazoo College-- Match
Maryville College-- Match
Smith College-- High Match/Reach
The College of Wooster-- Match</p>

<p>Chance me back?? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/813549-chance-freshman-mid-year-transfer-please-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/813549-chance-freshman-mid-year-transfer-please-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

17

<p>What a great list! I think you’re in great shape for many of these schools, as others have said. It sounds to me that these schools will definitely appreciate your self-awareness, as well as your other talents :)</p>

18

<p>Could we add Grinnell College and Clark University to my list?</p>

19

<p>Grinnell, maybe more selective. Clark- I’m not sure why you’d want to go there-I think your list is getting too long.</p>

20

<p>Sorry…free applications are way too tempting.</p>

<p>Urgent question: why would I dislike Clark???</p>