Mollikinz College Admissions Crucible

Applying to College Admission Stories
1

Hi guys! I decided to make my own college admissions thread to document my own process and perhaps lend a hand to future applicants. My cousin went through this process last year so luckily I had some guidance in my process. Still, I’m the first kid in my household to go to college which is exciting.

I’m from California also.

My Stats:
GPA: 3.9 UW/4.075 W/4.35 UCW
Ranked 31/706, top 4%
I go to a well-known humanities magnet within a residential/SAS school.

ACT composite: 31
ACT composite superscore: 33 (lol I took the test 2 times and got the same composite but different subscores)
I took the test again in October in hopes of raising my composite or superscore. Let’s hope!

APs: Biology (4), Macroeconomics (4), Microeconomics (4), US History (5), English Lit, Environmental Science, Calculus AB, European History

^As you can see, I’m taking a lot of APs this year. My senior schedule is pretty rigorous and I’m taking an extra class in the morning.

ECs:
My ECs aren’t my strong point but I do show a lot of interest in a particular area which is good. I’m not going into detail but I do a lot involving theatre and I do volunteer work at a few museums (relating to my intended major).

Rec letters:
I honestly don’t know. I asked two teachers I’ve had for 2 years who both get along well with me so I am not worried. I have performed very well in both of their classes and I have faith that their recs are good!
I also got my counselor rec which I think will be great. She knows me on a deeper level than my teachers for a few different reasons.

I haven’t read the recs obviously so I can’t judge them.

Essays:
I like my common app essay. It’s cute and a little odd. That’s all I can really say about it.
I’m a horrible procrastinator so a lot of my supplements are done close to the deadline. I have faith in them, though, because I write well academically. I try to make them stand out in some way and be enjoyable for admissions to read. (Especially UChicago!)

Interviews:
I’ve interviewed with a few schools. I think they’ve gone well–I try to keep in touch with the interviewer after the fact through email also. I really enjoy the interview process when it is casual which has been my experience so far. I have a lot to talk about, haha. If you have any questions about the interview process (specifically alumni interviews) I can answer them.

My intended major is Art History, Art Conservation, Museum Studies, or something like that.

As of 11/8/15…

My current college list (private):

American University - Applying to honors program
Beloit College (Applied EA)
Case Western Reserve University
College of Wooster
Mount Holyoke College*
George Washington University
Tulane University (Applied EA)
University of Chicago (Applied EA)*
Wellesley College*

Public schools:

UC Santa Cruz
UC Santa Barbara (I’m on the fence about applying)
UC Berkeley
Arizona State University (Accepted - Applying to Barrett Honors College)

*=Interviewed

List is subject to change! Except for the places I already applied. Whoops.

2

Any reason you’re only applying to only 2-3 out of the 9 UC’s?

3

I’m leaning towards going to a smaller school where my classes would be more discussion based. However, I would still like to have some bigger schools as options.

4

Also, I just got my scores back from the October ACT and I raised my composite to a 34!

5

I’m not applying to UCLA because it’s very close to home and I want a change of scene. I love Westwood and DTLA but for college I would rather be somewhere else because I’ve lived in the same place my entire life.

6

What about Scripps?

7

I toured Scripps at the beginning of this year. It’s a great, beautiful school but I don’t think it’s for me.

The Claremont schools are very close to home. I actually liked Pitzer better than Scripps when I toured, but my financial situation is an issue (I’m afraid I won’t get enough money to make it possible to attend).

8

Also, a quick update: I went to the Barrett Honors College very recently for a tour and it exceeded my expectations! I also found out that I was admitted a few days ago which is awesome.

Today I checked my Tulane portal on a whim and saw I was accepted, so that it also very exciting! But right now I’m trying to write my UC personal statements before the deadline, whoops.

9

So, updated list:

As of 11/24/15…

My current college list (private):

Beloit College (Applied EA) - Interviewing in a few weeks!
Case Western Reserve University (Applied RD)
College of Wooster (Applied EA)
Lawrence University - Requested interview
Mount Holyoke College*
George Washington University
Tulane University (Accepted!)
University of Chicago (Applied EA)*
Wellesley College*

Public schools:

UC Santa Cruz
UC Berkeley
Arizona State University (Accepted into Barrett Honors College!)
University of Pittsburgh (Applied Rolling, still have to do the short answers for scholarships)

*=Interviewed

I took American off my list and added Pitt. I also took off UCSB because I probably wouldn’t attend if I were accepted. And Lawrence University is now on the list!

UC applications are due soon! I’m hoping to send mine in either tonight or tomorrow depending on how I do on finishing those personal statements.