Is it a match?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Mount Holyoke College
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<p>I just went to visit Mt. Holyoke today, and I really liked the school and how it thinks about itself. I guess I got the best idea of the atmosphere I could have, given that school's not in session (I know that doing college visits in the summer is a big no-no, but in this case it couldn't be helped). Anyway, so I'm thinking about applying, but here's the thing: I had been considering it as a match/safety school for me--but now I'm not so sure...I've kind of gotten scared that my credentials just aren't strong enough for MHC to be a fairly safe bet for me. Any thoughts? Is this school a match, reach, or safety? (Ballpark estimate of course, I know the admissions process is very chancy). </p>

<p>Briefly, here are my stats: </p>

<p>GPA--4.3 UW, 4.7-ish W. I know that GPA scales can be kind of amorphous, though, so basically: unweighted, I have a 98 overall. </p>

<p>Rigor/Classes--I've been in all honors since freshman year, and by the time I graduate I will have almost maxed out my school's AP offerings (only one I won't have taken will be AP Bio). So, this year I took AP US History and AP Language and Comp (only two offered for Junior year), and next year I'll be in AP Calc, AP Physics, and AP Literature. </p>

<p>SATs--I know that they're optional at MHC, but I might as well include them here. Critical Reading 720, Math 670, Writing 740; US History Subject test 800, Math Level 1 690. </p>

<p>EC's--Mine are solid, but not anywhere near as spectacular as many of the people on this site. I've been the Managing Editor of my newspaper, the president of Amnesty International, a co-leader of my youth group, a peer tutor, concertmistress of my regional youth orchestra, a chorus member, an NHS member, and an a cappella singer (by audition only). All of these things I've participated in for more than two years. </p>

<p>I'm also applying to Middlebury, Wellesley, Williams, Swarthmore, Connecticut, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Colby, and Bowdoin. </p>

<p>I know there's always a lot of uncertainty in the college admissions process, but I'll still ask: can I reasonably assume that I'll get in to MHC? Is there any outstanding part of my application that makes me weak that I could fix or something? I'd really appreciate any thoughts, as I'm applying to several more selective schools than even MHC, and to be honest I'm scared I won't get in anywhere.</p>

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<p>I do not want to sound mean or anything, but I will throw my 2 cents in here: Mount Holyoke is NOT a safety for anyone, and I mean ANYONE.
You are an excellent student, do not get me wrong, but so are the other 3000-4000 students who apply there every year. I do not know why you do not consider MH as selective as the other colleges where you are going to apply. I know students who got into Harvard but not at MHC, or students who got into Wellesley, Smith, Bryn Mawr, but not at MHC; as there are students who did not get into Wellesley or Smith but got into MHC. With colleges like these, it is impossible to predict if you are going to be accepted or not. But, as I said, you are a very good student and you have a very good chance to be accepted.</p>

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<p>Lamari, schools like MHC are not safeties for anyone because of the holistic nature of their admissions. That said, I think you have an excellent, excellent chance of getting in there. I know a number of kids who were good candidates for top schools that did not bother to have a true safety as they felt they were sure to get into one of their choices, particularly those where their stats shone. And they were right. They did. But some strange things did happen in terms of kids getting into a far more selective school, but waitlisted on what they thought was a cinch. What Diplomat is saying does occur. A true safety school is one that is certain to take you outside of some catastrophic event. That is not the case with MHC. I like EA as a way to get a good safety in the bag since once you are accepted in Dec you are golden to try for all your other schools. Finding a good, true safety is the hardest part of the college app process. I would consider applying to say, Fordham or maybe Fairfield college EA. I don't know if there are any women's colleges that do EA. Maybe Goucher (which is now coed). An acceptance would make these schools safeties for you.</p>

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<p>LaMariposa, I think your chances are excellent but I too would caution you against considering Mount Holyoke a safety. While a larger percentage of applicants get accepted at MHC compared to some of the other schools you mention, it attracts a very high quality applicant pool (that obviously has an interest in attending a women's college). I think MHC is harder to get into than most people realize. I also think that if you live within a reasonable distance you need to have an interview. If you live in the region and don't, I think it might send a bad signal.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I'd been feeling ever since I visited that it probably wasn't wise to consider it a safety--more like match, I guess is what I'm hearing from your comments? Thanks for clearing that up. Oh, and Kaydad, I'm scheduled to interview at MHC and Smith in July, since I live about 2 hours or so away. </p>

<p>I'm not really sure where I should apply for a definite safety...I feel like I'm running out of time. Is there somewhere comparable in size and rural/suburban location that I could fairly easily get into? I've been thinking about applying to UMass Amherst and hopefully getting in to the honors college...would that be wise? </p>

<p>Thanks for all your help, I definitely needed to hear that I should stop exaggerating my chances! (Good time it happened now and not later!). I guess what it comes down to is that I mistakenly figured my chances were pretty good since my numbers are decent, which is a poor thing to go by when schools look at the apps "holistically" (thanks cp). This was very helpful. Now to find some actual safeties...</p>

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<p>Try Clark U and Beloit College for safeties. They're both good colleges, and not "true safeties" in the same way that UMass would be; however, I think you'd get into both. </p>

<p>Beloit College is in Beloit, Wisconsin, but since you're applying to Colby and Bowdoin I assume that you don't care much about distance. The midwest has a very different feel though, so consider whether you'd be able to live there. </p>

<p>Clark U is an amazing college, for the record. It may be less competitive, but it has the coolest course offerings I've seen for a school its size (and I looked at the course catalogs for every college I considered). I sat in on a class there where there was some serious, awesomely hardcore discussion. Definitely check it out. My brother rejected Wheaton College and a few other higher ranked colleges to go there :). Plus, they have a Freud statue right in front of their main building! How cool is that?</p>