My Chances as Wes?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wesleyan University
1

<p>After looking for so long for that college that offers just EVERYTHING I am looking for (in and out of the classroom), I am quite certain that Wesleyan is the place where I want to go. I don't think any other college has gotten me more excited about actually going to college than Wes.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, my numbers are really low as compared to those that are considered "normal" for Wes.</p>

<p>Still, will sheer determination (even if my numbers do not improve as much as I'd like them to) and a genuine interest for the school up my chances?</p>

<p>Not to mention applying early decision, which is exactly what I'm doing.</p>

<p>So, the stats (and yes, the numbers ARE bad, I'm not saying that for effect or anything):</p>

<p>Tests:
SAT I: M- 530; V- 600; W- 650
AP bio- 4; AP lang- 4; AP gov't- 3</p>

<p>I'll be taking the ACTs, SAT Is again, and SAT IIs (Spanish, Lit, and Biology) this coming school year.</p>

<p>Classes:
I take only the toughest (this year 3 APs... but considering my school's size and location, it's considered a loaded course), and I maintain a decent GPA (3.8 unweighted). Next year, I'm taking the toughest courses yet again (4 APs).</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (my strongest point, thank goodness):
I know where my passions lie, and they are in music. ^^
I am a jazz drummer, and I drum for my school's jazz band (two years, as of next year)-- I also played bass the two years before that.
I also have been selected for numerous honor bands for percussion.
I have been studying classical piano for ten years now, and I occasionally teach novices.
I also play guitar somewhat proficiently.
I have won many awards at various musical festivals for performing solos.</p>

<p>Other than music, I have:
been student council executive secretary for two years;
been a student council delegate to an inter-school student council;
been on the school's Model UN team for three years as of next year;
been a Sunday School teacher for two years as of next year;
been a published poet in a magazine twice;
been in the school's NHS chapter for all years students are eligible (since tenth grade), and as of next year, I am historian;
been nationally recognized for my writing (NCTE).
I also volunteer at my church and at the local library a great deal, and I'm sure I've got at least 150 hours under my belt. </p>

<p>Other:
I've lived in Japan for the past ten years (but I'm not Japanese); my school is incredibly small (not to mention really underfunded and limited with its resources; sadly, my numbers are actually extremely high compared to my school's average); and I am a military brat. </p>

<p>So please, any help and advice I can get will be incredibly appreciated, and thanks for reading through this extremely long posting.</p>

<p>-res</p>

2

<p>Well, yes, you should definitely apply E.D.. That is the single best way to signal that Wes is your first choice. I would also think about using your musical instrument proficiency as a hook. Wesleyan has a nationally recognized Jazz department and it is just one component of its trailblazing World Music program; its Javanese (not to be confused with Japanese) gamelan orchestra sounds like it would be made for someone like you -- it's pretty much, all percussion.</p>

<p>Write a great essay and keep ur fingers crossed.:)</p>

3

<p>So, about SAT scores...
how do you think actually getting in on those will happen?
Because I'm fully aware that my scores are WAAAY below average--
do you think Wes judges admission heavily on SAT scores?</p>

<p>And thanks for the reply-- it's much appreciated. ^^</p>

4

<p>Officially, the line is that they look at grades more than board scores. But, let's face it, as it stands now, if you get into wesleyan, it will have to be despite your scores, not because of them. </p>

<p>Additionally, the adcom will want to know why in ten years you haven't managed to pick up a smattering of conversational Japanese? That would have been the natural niche because non-native speakers are rare. </p>

<p>Probably, your next best shot at Wes would be through your music, but, even here, and with E.D., we're talkin' about one of the hottest schools in the country for creative kids of all stripes. Someone who knows you well will have to go to bat for you; good recs are going to be a must. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, being so far away means a lot of this is going to be a crap shoot; you won't be able to do the sane thing which would be to just visit and talk with the folks in the music dept.</p>

5

<p>First off, I'd like to thank you for your honesty. </p>

<p>Conversational Japanese... I wouldn't say I'm fluent in Japanese (I do go to an American school, with ironically, a rather bad Japanese program), but I do know enough to get myself through a decent conversation, ask for directions, and yell for help. Ten years definately requires that you pick up on the language.</p>

<p>Ahh, I know teachers who would write me awesome recs; however, Wesleyan wants recs from core class teachers-- would slipping in an extra rec from my music teacher (who, naturally, is the one who knows me the best and could give me the rec of my dreams) be a no-no or something I should definately do (or, something I should ask Wesleyan directly about)? </p>

<p>Also, would an interview also be helpful? </p>

<p>You have no clue how much your advice is appreciated-- thank-you yet again.</p>

6

<p>Ask them directly about extra recs (or, maybe someone on this board knows from experience?) Just judging from some of the things I read in "The Gatekeepers", I can't see that they would hurt.</p>

<p>If you are proficient enough to hold a conversation in Japanese, I would definitely find a way to work that fact into your application. Make it clear that you would like to continue to study the language (did you get decent grades in the courses that were available at your high school?)</p>

7

<p>I was never formally schooled in Japanese in high school, only a little bit in elementary school. I picked up what I needed to know to survive on my own, haha.</p>

<p>Hm. So perhaps I should tie in the fact that I'm fully immersed in Japanese culture?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

8

<br>


<br>

<p>Ya think? [gives friendly whack to back of head]
;)</p>

9

<p>Oh, Goodness bless the world for people like you.</p>

10

<p>you should definitely send along an extra recommendation from someone who can talk about your musical skills and involvement. just ONE extra recommendation, not five... but like johnwesley said, it can only help, especially for someone like you who needs to stand out in non-numerical ways.</p>

11

<p>Will do. ^^ Thanks!</p>

<p>As for supplemental matierals (as listed on their site) I don't suppose a video of me playing with the school jazz band isn't such a bad idea, too? I know I'm definately not Carnegie hall gifted, but a little sample of what I can do won't hurt (even if I am just your average jazz drummer)?</p>

12

<p>I wouldn't send in anything extra that isn't calculated to absolutely knock their socks off. You have to use your best judgment. Also, you may want to get yourself a copy of "The Gatekeepers". That book never gets old; it will give you a feel for what it is like being an adcom.</p>

13

<p>careful now johnwesley that's post number 666...</p>

14

<p>Ooh. Maybe you've jinxed me?
Kidding.</p>

<p>I'm ahead of you-- my semi-local library doesn't have a copy of the "Gatekeepers", but I requested to borrow it via library inter-loan last week from a library about three hours away. Should be getting it this weekend. </p>

<p>And thanks for that bit about the sup. materials. ^^</p>

15

<p>Better? 10char</p>

16

<p>Just a question, as I am stil familiarizing myself with CC--
I've noticed that CC-ers have their own lingo.
<em>sigh</em> What does "10char" mean? I see it all over the place, all the time.</p>

17

<p>well, every post needs at least ten characters. so if you dont have enough characters, say you were saying "thanks" ....well you'd add tenchar so the post can go through</p>