Junior Considering Wellesley?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

<p>I'm currently a junior in the state of Washington and Wellesley is currently my #1 college choice. However, I have a few concerns I hope you will address:</p>

<ol>
<li>I'm worried I won't get in </li>
<li>My PSAT score was 1950 (CR:590, M: 710 W:690) but I'm working really hard to bring it up</li>
<li>My GPA is 3.98 with 4 AP Classes this year and 4 AP classes next year</li>
<li>I'm varsity soccer captain and I play on a nationally ranked club team</li>
<li>I work 10 hours a week at a part time job (lifeguarding and swim instructing)</li>
<li><p>I volunteer weekly at my church and at the public library tutoring children</p></li>
<li><p>I'm worried I won't get enough financial aid</p></li>
<li><p>My family consists of my single mother and my three younger siblings</p></li>
<li><p>My mother makes about $49,000/year </p></li>
<li><p>We live in an apartment and have no assets</p></li>
<li><p>I'm worried I won't fit in
-I'm from the west coast and I've heard that east coast people are snobby, rude, and stuck-up as well as very ambitious and cut-throat</p></li>
<li><p>I'm worried about applying early decision</p></li>
<li><p>I heard that you have a better chance of getting accepted if you apply early decision</p></li>
<li><p>However, I'm worried I'll get accepted but I won't have enough financial aid but I'll have to attend Wellesley anyway</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I would appreciate all the information you could give me =)</p>

2

<p>Welcome! </p>

<p>Re: 1) it will depend on your SAT and/or ACT with writing scores, but a PSAT score of 195 is in the 94th percentile. You have a good shot at admission.</p>

<p>2) Wellesley’s financial aid is wonderful for students in your situation. They meet full need, and if your family income is under $60,000 there is a no loan policy. They determine your need (it’s calculated differently than the FAFSA/Federal method) but if you have no assets you probably won’t be adversely impacted by their method.</p>

<p>3) There are tons of students from the west coast. There are students from all over the world. My D is from the midwest and was also concerned if she’d fit in. There are snobby, rude, stuck-up people from the east coast. There are also snobby, rude, stuck-up people from just about every corner of the globe, but my D has met plenty of wonderful, polite, humble, unassuming and talented students from the east coast, west coast, international locations. She has tons of friends and doesn’t worry about the few snobby/rude students.</p>

<p>4) with their Financial Aid policy I think you’d be fine with early decision. However, you can apply early evaluation/regular decision too. If the financial aid awarded is not enough, that is a legitimate reason to decline the offer of early decision.</p>

<p>You may want to explore your options in QuestBridge. Wellesley is a QuestBridge school, as are many other fine institutions. However, if Wellesley is clearly your #1 school, you might be better just applying through regular channels.</p>

<p>Also, be sure to find out from your school’s guidance counselors about possible application fee waivers. Besides the College Board waiver, there is a NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) waiver. If your family has at least 4 members you would probably qualify, based on income guidelines. On the Common Application website, look under “Other Resources” and then “Fee Waivers.” I think Wellesley’s application is free if it is submitted online, but the waivers might come in handy for other applications.</p>

<p>Best wishes in your college admissions journey!</p>

3

<p>I’m no professional so I can’t say anything for sure, but I can clearly see that your chances of acceptance are MUCH higher than mine… and I’m already accepted. :smiley: I honestly don’t know how I got in; senioritus bit me hard this year. I don’t consider myself a great student, so I can assess your chances by comparing your stats to mine.</p>

<ol>
<li>My PSAT score from sophomore year was something in the 1800s, and I scored a total of 1890 on my first attempt at the SATs (I took it three times). But Wellesley takes your highest section scores from all attempts. That means Wellesley saw something above a 2000 from me.</li>
<li>Girl, I don’t know how you can manage 4 APs at once without dying! I’ve taken a total of 3: Bio last year (which was some kind of nightmare and about all I could handle) and US History and Lit this year. Got a 3 on the Bio exam, and I’m totally gonna fail History and Lit. You’re all good.</li>
<li><p>I’ve never played a sport or had a job. I do volunteer every week, though.</p></li>
<li><p>The person before me is right – Wellesley meets 100% of your family’s need. My family’s total income is around $80,000, but Wellesley still awarded me over $43,000
in aid. I, um, also turned in my required financial stuff over a month late. I’m such a slacker. :P</p></li>
<li><p>I’m from the east coast. I think I’m really friendly and polite. It’s just our accents that make us sound rude, really. But believe me, I’m one of the most socially awkward people you can ever meet and I don’t have much trouble fitting in. </p></li>
<li><p>I applied regular decision. Actually, I mailed my recommendations/transcripts/etc. four days before the final deadline, which meant they got there just in time. Wellesley still admitted me. And with your family situation, the school will certainly give you enough aid.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Really, I wouldn’t worry. If you keep heading in this direction, you’ll get in for sure. If they accepted me, they’ll definitely accept you next year. Actually, I’m staying overnight at Wellesley tomorrow. Incredibly nervous about that. I can let you know how that goes, if you want.</p>

4

<p>Thanks so much for both responses! Both were so informative and thorough. Shrunkin, if you don’t mind, I’d love to talk to you some more about Wellesley and the admission process. Also, congratulations on your acceptance to Wellesley. I would love to hear more about your overnight visit!</p>