I wrote this same thing earlier but for different colleges, but since then things have changed as I further college searched. I apologize this is going to be long, but I really need advice haha. So I really want to go to a liberal arts school, but I’m not the strongest candidate as compared to other students. Which is why I plan on ED’ing essentially. My top choice is Kenyon (where I will most likely ED if I seem to have a chance). I also am interested in Wesleyan and Oberlin. A non Liberal Arts School that interests me is also Brandeis, so please take that into consideration as well. I guess I would consider myself a mediocre student. I am from New York, and my regents grades are decent. They vary, some are in the 80’s, 90’s, a couple in the 70’s. And I will be taking 3 AP classes by the time I graduate (AP US History, AP Bio, and AP government, I may take AP literature though). I’m not going to be sending in AP scores though, my SAT iis are stronger. A majority of my classes aren’t very rigorous, and this is what concerns me. I have been in regents (regular, not honors) classes for math and science, however I have always been in honors for English and honors/AP for social studies. My grades in Earth Science and Bio are low, however I performed exceptionally in Chemistry. I had done poorly in trig, but pretty good in Geometry. I am doubling up in precalc and calculus next year and I am taking honors physics and AP bio as well as AP Lit and AP government. But my course rigor and transcript isn’t very appealing as I explained. What’s weird is that I took regents chemistry but got a 690 on the SAT ii, and I got a 700 on math level 1 and a 700 in US History. Will these overlook my course rigor and my ability to go beyond my level? Aside from that I got a 33 on the ACT and my GPA is a 3.6 unweighted and a 3.8 weighed. I was hoping my ACT score could back up my low GPA? In addition, I have many extra curricular activities, many of which I hold officer positions in such as Debate, Key Club, etc. I have been dancing for 8 years and I have a black belt in Karate. I also have a keen interest for social justice and the LGBT community. I have contributed locally to enforce the importance of these topics and issues. I feel that may look good for a liberal arts college. I also have a lot of community service at libraries, nursing home, hospitals, soup kitchens, and community service in Africa. I also participate in interfaith dialogues which have been a huge impact on me and I seek to organize one on my own (I am going to Israel, as well as in my own local area). I also plan on starting a club (once schools in session) that I have a pretty good chance of getting the approval of administrators. I do art as a hobby, and my work is pretty good for someone who only took 1 year of art in school. I am also an Asian female (with a small percentage of Hispanic ancestry, but idk if that really counts). I’m a great essay writer, so I’m not worried about that. And my teacher recommendations are very strong. I also know a few Alumnus from Wesleyan who know me well. So what are my chances at Kenyon and Oberlin especially as well as Brandeis and Wesleyan? Thanks so much. P.S I don’t need financial aid. I also have 4 years of a language in which I was in a regents (regular) level class but got 90’s and above. I’m also in the Honor Society for that language, however I’m not in National Honor Society. I also taught Arabic at my local Sunday school. Thank you so much to all who answer. One other thing I had a question about, is it true that Kenyon is more selective than Wesleyan regardless of the acceptance rates?
In terms of admissions difficulty it’s Wesleyan > Brandeis > Keynon > Oberlin.
I think you have a very good chance at Oberlin and 50/50 chance at the rest. ED would help for any of them.