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. I’ve been in love with Wesleyan forever, but my chances are very low as opposed to Grinnell or Oberlin. Wes has an acceptance rate around the 40’s and Grinnell and Oberlin both have an acceptance rate in the 60’s. 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. 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. 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. Sp what are my chances at Grinnell, Oberlin, Brandeis and maybe 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’m also applying to NYU, Bryn Mawr, Marist, Mount Holyoke, and some state schools, but they aren’t my top choices.
Um, I think Wesleyan’s acceptance rate was around 20%, and Grinnell’s and Oberlin’s were around 30%. That being said I think you stand a decent chance at those schools. Your GPA could be a bit higher, but if you have great essays then it’s worth a shot.
I think you should apply to these schools. Your UW GPA won’t set the world on fire but you know that already and you have a very solid ACT and good Subject Test scores. Not sure if you have read “The Gatekeepers” by Jacuqes Steinberg. He spent a year in the Wesleyan admissions office and it would give you insight into how Wesleyan reviews applicants (or how they did about 10 years ago anyway). Strong essays and genuine demonstarted interest can go a long way towards getting admitted to a selective liberal arts college. If you are 100% certain that you won’t be eligible for financial aid then indicate this on your application. That way if the college is need aware you will stand out favorably. Not sure how Oberlin, Grinnell and Wesleyan stand on need blind. I do know that Grinnell has an extremely high endowment so they can at least afford to be need blind. You are a stronger candidate than you realize, good luck!
I’m just a bit curious as to where you got your stats from. I believe Oberlin’s acceptance rate is somewhere in the 30’s.
Grinnell loves high test scores, so it would potentially forgive your so-so GPA.
I’m pretty sure that the admissions rates mentioned are specifically for ED.
For everyone asking about the admission rates, I was talking about the Early Decision acceptance rates. Anyway, thanks so much all!
One piece of good news is that Asians are URMs at Grinnell. Not so in the NE schools.