<p>White, female, Minnesota suburb resident
Large public school (2600+ students)</p>
<p>ACT Composite: 30
SAT II Composite: 2120 (Reading 740, Math 670, Writing 710) - planning to retake this fall
SAT US History: 770
Commended (I think) National Merit Scholar
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.63
Ranked 11 out of 712 in junior year, then school abolished rank system; expecting to be a summa cum laude this year.</p>
<p>AP US History - 5
International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate (IB Chinese SL - 6, IB Psychology SL - 7)
I've taken every AP/IB course available; senior year courseload: IB English HL, IB Biology HL, IB Euro HL, IB Chinese HL, Theory of Knowledge, AP Music Theory, IB Math SL</p>
<p>Interned with DFL in '08 election on Al Franken's senatorial campaign
Currently interning with DFL for Minneapolis city council chair Barb Johnson's campaign
Founded and led a Young Democrats group
Founded Students Against Poverty - volunteers on local hunger/homelessness issues
Newspaper (4 years) - Commentary editor junior year, Editor-in-Chief senior year
National Honor Society (2 years) - Junior Representative junior year, Vice President senior year
Toastmasters Youth Leadership - 4 years
Writing Center council member and writing coach - 3 years
Played piano for 13 years; used to compete in local UMWF competitions, but no significant awards
Played violin for 4 years, then switched to cello (2 years); no significant awards
Tutored (as a paying job) for two years in math, science, and Chinese</p>
<p>Both my essay and my recommendations should be great.</p>
<p>My first choice is Middlebury.
I'm also looking at Bowdoin, Vassar, Colgate, Occidental, and Claremont McKenna.</p>
<p>Hey! Wow I really think your awards and EC’s are really good. Founding a political group in high school is really good, I believe Hilary Clinton did the same thing!</p>
<p>Being a girl, of course, helps admissions slightly. Your SAT score is already really good! Taking it again, aim for the math grade. I got 670 as well. Someone told me they got 670 and studied well and got an 800. So I’m sure you’ll do fine.</p>
<p>Think of submitting a recorded composition that you made. Universities really like that. And your journalism is pretty good.</p>
<p>Though I’m not an expert (so don’t take my word for granted), I think you have a sufficient shot at all of these schools with Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Vassar as your low reaches, and the rest as high matches and matches.
I would also agree with glitterz about the math SAT score - if you’re planning to send your SAT score (I would send it to Middlebury and Bowdoin). Your ACT score, however, fits right in with Vassar’s middle 50%.
I think you have a great set of extracurriculars. You seem to show passion for politics, which is impressive.
Good luck!</p>
<p>My jaw dropped when I read your stats. I believe you can get into most of those schools. Just try to boost that ACT/SAT up a bit. I’m not huge on those colleges, but just my two cents.</p>
<p>I honestly think you have a fantastic shot at these schools. I’d say Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Vassar are all matches. Your stats are right in the middle of what they accept, and your ECs are great. You’ve taken the hardest courses available. I don’t see why not, as long as your essay + recs are good.</p>
<p>*<em>Whew</em> That is such a relief! Thanks, you guys! </p>
<p>I’m kind of uncertain as to whether or not I should submit the arts supplement, though. I think a recording be a good way to showcase my ability, but I’m worried about having to write up a musical resume when I’ve won basically NOTHING in that area; I’ve heard that doing something like that could actually work against you at competitive schools like these.</p>
<p>Also, if you think that all of these colleges are good matches, could you recommend any higher reaches for me? I don’t want to go anywhere with a HUGE student body, but otherwise I’d be totally open to suggestions!</p>
<p>All of those schools are going to be low reaches and high matches. Again, up the SAT a little bit and you should get into Middlebury. Being from Minnesota will also help. Good luck!</p>
<p>I think you should submit the arts supplements. They want to see what makes you, you. I doubt they are going to look at any of your artwork (whether it be music, etc.) in a truly negative way unless it is flat-bat. An unimpressive resume won’t affect the quality of the music. </p>
<p>I think these schools are matches - high matches, mostly. If you are looking for harder liberal arts schools, maybe: Reed, Swarthmore. If you are looking for similar schools, perhaps Wesleyan.</p>
<p>Wow, I actually was just talking to a friend of mine this evening, and she recommended that I look at Swarthmore, too. I did - and I LOVED it! You think I could get in there? It’s more competitive than any of the other colleges I’m considering…</p>
<p>Also, I was planning on staying away from (real) Ivy Leagues, but when I was looking at Swarthmore I kind of stumbled onto Brown, which looks AMAZING. Would anyone be willing to chance me for there, too?</p>
<p>I’d have to agree with everyone who’s posted up until now. I was looking at your scores and admittedly, I was pretty jealous. xD</p>
<p>For college essays, definitely emphasize your leadership positions, they’re quite impressive.</p>
<p>That being said, your SAT (I think that’s what you meant by SATII) scores are a little on the low side. Still solid, but with the current system (which I have quite a diatribe on) it won’t hurt to take it again. Heck, I (read: my parents) re-took a 2300 on my SATII. Just remember, some schools still ask to see all of your tests, so if the planned retake is your 4th+ time, I’d avoid it. Even the 3rd time seems excessive to me. Then again, I’m not a admissions officer.</p>
<p>jealous of your stats
im frankly really worried about mine but you seem very set
u couldto raise your scores though? but i dont think it will be that much of a setback though…</p>
<p>Very impressive. Your stats are great. More importantly, your ECs show a geunine passion for politics and I hope you can work that into the essays.</p>
<p>Hmm ED at middlebury id suspect youd be in. I think brown and swarthmore are both matches. Write great essays, and id be surprised if you didnt get one of those three</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me whether you think I could get into most of these schools (especially Brown, Swarthmore, and Middlebury) WITHOUT retaking my SAT reasoning test? I have to take a couple more SAT subject tests, too, and it would be nice not to have to take the reasoning again, as well. I will do whatever is necessary in the end, though!</p>
<p>I really just want to get out of town… I recognize that those are both fantastic schools, but some of the primary things I’ve been looking forward to about college are the new experiences/environment and utter independence from the fam.</p>
