<p>Im a junior and I had actually 'accidentally' come to know Vassar. But the more stuff i get from this school, the more im interested. I think now this is my first choice.
but i don't think my gpa can support it UW:3 W: 3.3 and my junior grades are horrible right now..C/D but my SAT is 2200
I also heard that guys have better chances? (yeah i'm a guy)
What do you think? am i hopeless?</p>
<p>topick19</p>
<p>I think you have decent chances, but I need more information before I can give an accurate prediction? What state are you in? (state residency can help in admissions) What ethnicity? What are some extracurriculars you've done? Honors or AP courses?</p>
<p>Just for some back round, I'm a white male from AZ (an under represented for Vassar and many small, northeastern LACs). I have a GPA much like yours, a little higher (3.3, school doesn't weigh) and have an ACT of 28 (didn't take ACT). I've been very involved in art and japanese language study, doing community service with those ECs. I've won art awards, studied abroad in tokyo and kyoto japan, have funded art exhibits and galleries in my community, etc. I've done a lot with my high school time, and I applied early decision I to Vassar.</p>
<p>I was rejected. It was a crushing blow, because I still know that I could fit in so well at Vassar. However, I'm over it, and have applied to many other schools that I know I'll be happy at.</p>
<p>I've since learned that Vassar was far more competitive than I thought it would be, especially this year. With a typical admission rate hovering from 25-30% and an ED rate of 35-40%, I thought I might just stand a chance. Turns out that Vassar is very much into one's standardized test scores (I've since learned) and GPA. Vassar uses statistics to create a smaller pool, then uses personality and essays to make selections. Vassar is a very attractive school to many people: it is small, prestigious (ranked 11th best LAC in the nation), has one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation, is close to NYC, and has a very accepting, diverse atmosphere.</p>
<p>I promise I'm not trying to sound discouraging, but Vassar has intensely grown in popularity lately and is highly selective. Most applicants have high GPAs and test scores. In hindsight, I think I would have applied RD instead of ED, as ED applicant pools for any college are extremely cutthroat and competitive. I can't really say at the moment if you've got a shot, cuz I need to know more about you. Otherwise, based on my experience alone, I think it may be tough for you. That said, your SAT shows that you are quite smart (and it certainly is in Vassar's range). Vassar admissions could see your GPA as a lack of motivation in HS, but who knows. Admissions is a crapshoot.</p>
<p>But always be optimistic! I applied EA to Lewis and Clark College and got in! Now I'm waiting on 7 other schools (Middlebury, Grinnell, Oberlin, Macalester, Whitman, Reed, Skidmore) to see where I got in.</p>
<p>OniLawliet, I love your optimism. Although this post doesn't refer to me at all, thanks for writing it up. I was also rejected from my EDI school. Although I was crushed and I really deeply felt that I was a perfect match for the school, i'm fine now also. "Always have faith" that's the way to go.</p>
<p>College admissions are such a crapshoot that it's basically IMPOSSIBLE to figure whether you'll get into a specific school or not. I mean, if you had a 2.2 GPA and a 1630 SAT score, I could say that Vassar isn't really possible, but otherwise...who knows?? Everything is so arbitrary, which is why I try and convince people that chance threads are totally pointless! I spent HOURS last year on them, and eventually, everyone (including me) was wrong. For example, I got into Duke, but got denied from the University of Chicago, which isn't nearly as selective. So there's no point worrying...it's not in your control now! Plus, people here can be rather discouraging.</p>
<p>thank you so much OniLawliet!
i honestly thought too that because i'm a male it would have made everything much easier.. how foolish.</p>
<p>but anywyas for more info..
I'm asian (korean) from Princeton NJ. yeah PU is right next door, so you could imagine the jealousy whenever im in the town. haha
E.C.: </p>
<p>FPS (Future Problem Solving Club) -6 years
-2nd place at States (9)
-1st place for presentation of the project (9)
-Invited to compete in international conference at Colorado State U. but didn't win anything
1st place at States (10)
1st place at presentation (10)
CMPS (Community Problem Solving) - another branch of FPS
-1st place at States (10)
-2nd place at Internation conference once again at Colorado State U. (10)
-Volunteer for about 4 hours a week for about 5 months for CMPS at a local elementary school.
-1st place at States (11)</p>
<h2>-invited to CSU- scheduled in May</h2>
<p>recently, had a play published by the Princeton University Drama theather (11)
and for work experience, i work as a swimming instructor at YMCA since fresh. I have license in cpr, first aid, and water safety instructor.</p>
<p>i don't know why but I've never been able to do well in classes. probably because i have ADHD, so as a junior, im only taking AP bio (bad grade) lol.
except for math, all the other courses are honors.</p>
<p>once again OniLawliet, thank you so much for your descriptive post.</p>
<p>Those ECs are pretty impressive. You clearly show a passion for community service. Also the fact you had a play published by the Princeton University Drama theater is pretty impressive. You mentioned you're a swimming instructor at YMCA...Do you swim competitively? </p>
<p>All of those things are very good that when coupled with a 2200 SAT could overshadow your GPA. Vassar particularly likes things like having a drama published and stuff like that.</p>
<p>You certainly have a good shot!</p>
<p>I do have to throw in that being from New Jersey might put a bit of a monkey wrench in your application, because I'm pretty sure half your state already goes here... but good luck either way! Get your grades up this semester!</p>
<p>Hmm, your stats look a bit low. Perhaps you could try attending your local community college for a few years and then transferring to another institution? That works wonders for some students who seem to have very little potential coming out of high school, but who want to see if they can handle college level work.</p>
<p>I disagree with joe047... your chances are quite good. Sure, the GPA might be a bit below Vassar's standard (I believe the class of 2011 had an average of 3.7?) and being from NJ doesn't help, but your SAT score is right where it should be and your ECs display both commitment and excellence in several different things. It's definitely true that grades are important, but Vassar also likes to see interesting candidates, of which you would certainly be one.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>I also disagree with Joe, for sort of different reasons. You definitely do not show "little potentional." (3.3 might not be great in CC world, but it's pretty good everywhere else) You could get in a great school (including Vassar), so I don't see why you'd have to go to a community college unless you had your heart set on it for some reason. Good luck!</p>
<p>I feel like my previous post probably didn't really express what I wanted to say. It probably had more of a negative connotation than I intended. I never meant to imply that the OP had little potential. I was just thinking of my friend who graduated two years ago, she had relatively low grades and decided to attend communty college to show colleges she could do the work. Now she is at a top tier LAC, and loves it.</p>
<p>Other than your junior grades, how are your sophomore and freshman grades?</p>