<p>Hi-</p>
<p>I posted this in "Chance Me" thread as well....My son is a high school junior. He is very interested in Vassar. Based on the following what are his chances?</p>
<ul>
<li><p>GPA through end of sophomore year is a 3.5. He is half way through his junior year. He has worked very hard and has straight A's with a competitive course load of AP, Honors & College Prep classes. His GPA at the end of Junior year should be a 3.9. Does Vassar take into account an upward trend in grades?</p></li>
<li><p>Scores: He is taking the SAT in March. Based on the PSAT his scores would be equal to a 1230 (M & CR) BUT he has been studying and preparing for the upcoming SAT so he hopes to increase his scores. Vassar requires two SAT II tests. He has already taken the World History Subject Test with a score of 740 and the World History AP Exam with a score of 4.</p></li>
<li><p>Misc.: He participates in several EC's - Best Buddies, Junior State, Spanish Honor Society, Hospital Volunteer (for three years), Student Council, plays one sport that he is very dedicated to in that he either plays or trains year round. He is expected to be invited to join the National Honor Society (per a recent meeting with his guidance counselor).</p></li>
<li><p>Important: He would be going to Vassar as a varsity athlete. He has had contact with the coach and there is preliminary interest on both sides. Not sure if this is a factor for admissions.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I would appreciate any feed back about my son's chance for admission to Vassar as well as any suggestions on how to be a stronger candidate for admission. Vassar is of extreme interest to him.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Athletics is huge! He should keep in contact with the coach, and if possible try to work something out where he can “commit” to Vassar (you usually ED to the school, and the coach talks to admissions for you). His SAT is low, so if the studying doesn’t help then I think he should study for and take the ACT. Also, he needs to take another subject test so make sure he’s on top of that (do not take US as the only other one since he has world; colleges like to see subject tests in completely different subjects). All in all, I think he has a good shot if he shows interest, gets his standardized test scores up, and talks with the coach. good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks Undertaker1664, I appreciate your feedback. Will consider the ACT - that is a good idea! My fingers are crossed for the SAT. His PSAT was low for math (PSAT Math = 53 / CR = 70 / Writing = 70) so he has been studying (a lot) for math with a tutor. For SAT II he is going to take the US History subject test as well as the Literature subject test (he has never had less than an A in honors English). He might give the Math I test a try if he does well enough on the SAT math portion.</p>
<p>Sounds good! I’m not sure what math he is in, but if he’s in pre calc out higher he should take math 2 too! Math 2’s grading curve is soooo much better than math 1’s.</p>
<p>I agree, the athletics is probably something that can set him apart. And yes, an upward trend in grades is always taken into account. He’s doing great! The only other thing I would suggest is that he prep for the SAT with an actual course, if he isn’t already. Visit too if you haven’t already (sounds like you already have though). Good luck to you both :)</p>