<p>I have heard that sometimes schools will take a student who does not meet the requirements. Is this true, or do the admissions officers always throw away applications in which the candidate does not have enough credits?</p>
<p>Most liberal arts schools review each application individually. Will they take a student who doesn't meet requirements? Sure, but they get plenty of applications from students who DO meet their requirements and have lots of "extras" to offer as well. Simply put, an admissions committee needs a very strong reason to take a chance on a less qualified candidate over taking a candidate who has all of the "boxes" checked off in terms of meeting requirements. Usually spots for less qualified candidates go to under-represented minorities, legacy students, recruited athletes, or students who fill a particular need of the school in some way. As Jamimom has noted, schools like Skidmore and Vassar already get plenty of solid candidates who have artistic skill so that probably isn't going to be enough to pull someone over the edge.
Because of this, if I was talking to your friend, I'd tell her to focus first on identifying some good-but-less-selective schools or good-but-less-well-known schools (which won't get as many applicants) that she could be happy at. Schools in the south and some in the midwest and west coast can be particularly good "admissions values" because they don't get as many applicants as schools in the Northeast -- -they often are looking to diversify geographically as well which can help. Once she's identified some schools in these categories, she can look for some reaches. But I wouldn't start with reach schools, I'd start at the other end.</p>
<p>For math, are credits only given in Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II?</p>
<p>Not sure what you are asking. At most schools, Algebra I is considered one math unit, geometry one math unit, Algebra II one math unit. Most colleges want to see three years of math through Algebra II. The most selective schools like to see math through at least pre-calculus. Calculus is a gold star in admissions. Courses in trig or statistics also count.</p>
<p>If there are only three units in math, are they always Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II? Or can Algebra II be substituted by another class?</p>
<p>What other class? I think the key is that colleges are looking for a course in advanced algebra.</p>
<p>Has she taken another math class?</p>
<p>She is taking a class that is more advanced than Algebra I, but not Algebra II. She should have taken Algebra II this year, but for some reason this class was given to her instead.</p>
<p>Smith might waive the third year of Math...or might not, I don't know. Not taking a third/fourth year of math in high school when you <em>know</em> that the colleges look for it strikes me as just plain willful stubborness. You don't see the math/science kids waiving out of English & History requirements.</p>
<p>The school gave her the wrong class. I had encouraged her to work harder to switch, but she did not want to change her schedule.</p>
<p>How does the list on page 2 look? Does anyone know about Eugene Lang?</p>
<p>So now you're saying that she really HAS three years of math? I am getting more and more confused. As it is, the list on pg. 2 looks top heavy with reaches to me. She needs to find some safeties and actual matches. Best of luck to her -- perhaps you could suggest that she post here herself so we could have more complete information.</p>
<p>The Patriot League was formed mainly by Holy Cross,which invited long time rival Colgate,Lafayette, Lehigh, Bucknell. Davidson was also a charter member. Gtown was only invited late in the game after Davidson's replacement Townson was deemed not in the same academic sphere. Doubt Gtown was ever invited to IVY league as its football program has only been Div1a for less than 8-10 years. Also don't know too many people that call Colgate-9th IVY unless they are affiliated with the Hamilton school.</p>
<p>Eugene Lang is not your typical liberal arts school. Like Bennington, it is a pretty experimental type of place. There are only 730 students. Housing is available mainly for first year students in school-owned apartments throughout the city so you don't get a real sense of campus life. After freshman year, students have to find housing in NYC on their own. The Arts in Context program, which is the art-focused program, is an interesting option - it does offer a 5 year BA/BFA. However, in looking at the actual catalog of classes, studio art classes appear somewhat limited - the emphasis seems to be on a mix of music, film, and art history type classes. You do have the option of taking some classes at Parson's school of design but only after you are a junior. Lang is the type of school that is great for motivated students looking for an alternative educational experience but someone interested in a traditional liberal arts school like Vassar might not find it a fit. Bennington would probably be a better bet for that type of student because it is a traditional campus community. Also, someone interested in art might be better served by attending an actual art college that has a strong liberal arts foundation.</p>
<p>Yemaya, students--even high school students--have to look after their own interests. Not pushing to get the right math class testifies to a lack of maturity as well as leaving the hard fact of a deficit in the Math area. </p>
<p>I recently had a discussion with someone who's writing a book on College Admissions. One of the points that came up was something along the lines of "ignorance will kill you even if it's not your fault," covering everything under the umbrella from knowing what courses to take to when deadlines are, etc. ad infinitum.</p>
<p>I am not sure if this year's math counts as a credit. It's more like an advanced version of Aglebra I, but its not Algebra II (less challenging).</p>
<p>Are there any schools that might be considered realistic matches? It would need to be a liberal, preferably small school, with strong English, philosophy, art, and history program.
She has had real struggles with math over the years, but she has taken it throughout high school. The problem is that she will not get credit for some.</p>
<p>I just had a conversation with her about her math, and she did not realize that this year's class will not count for colleges. She got very upset, and my mom and I are trying to convince her to take an independent study of Algebra II, or to get a tutor.
She does not really know anything about college admissions. She said today that she does not want to go to a school "worse than Earlham" (meaning less selective). How can I convince her to consider less selective schools without telling her that she has no chance at some of her top choices. I have tried to explain that prestige is not important and that there are many good schools that she could get into. Are there any realistic options that she could consider?</p>
<p>"She does not really know anything about college admissions"</p>
<p>What? Doesn't your school have a guidance dept? In my opinion, the best advice you can give her at this point is to get to guidance and get busy! </p>
<p>She is a senior and it will be December in 2 days! Knowing what my daughter is dealing with right now, it takes weeks or longer to prepare some of the material for the applications. (Art portfolio, writing and re-writing the essay, rec. letters) </p>
<p>I think it is very caring of you to be helping her, but she needs a professional at this point I believe.</p>