My Chances at Wesleyan vs Amherst

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m a senior deciding between whether to apply to Amherst college or Wesleyan U. Both seem like amazing open curriculum liberal arts colleges that I’d love to attend. The only thing is that Wesleyan is more realistic for me, however Amherst seems more academically rigorous. I’m deciding which to apply to ED. I’m an upper middle class white kid, so I’m not too special in that sense.
I’m interested in a variety of things, including political science, music, and film. I’d like to get into a school that would help me in all of these areas, but as of late I’ve taken a turn to the political side of things (no it’s not just the election), and I think I’d like to pursue a major in political science.

92.4 Unweighted GPA (it’ll go up a little when my first quarter grades for this year are factored in)
34 ACT
760 on USH SAT2
700 on Literature SAT2
My school does not report class rank or weight GPAs
5s on both my APs (US history and Language & Composition)
Taking AP Physics 2 (although last year I took regular physics), AP Government and politics,as well as AP AB Calculus
Took Spanish 3H last year, 4H this year

Captain of boys foil fencing team
VP of debate club
President and founder of young democrats club
Caprice advisor - like a peer leader, I teach younger kids about the school and how to make good choices
Interned for a state senator this year and I have a letter of rec from the campaign manager
attended NYSSSA and lived there 24 hours a day for a month learning about art film
worked on local documentary
I’m an alternate on the Student Faculty Advisory Council at my school (like a student government position)
Model UN member
tutor kids at my school through the National Honor Society, of which I am a member

I’m not applying for financial aid or FAFSA
I have a great grandfather who went to Wesleyan
I’ve already interviewed and visited Wesleyan and went to their College information meeting at my school
I plan to visit Amherst this weekend but I did go to their college information meeting as well

So what are my chances at each school? Which school do you think might fit me better for those who know a lot about each?

2

I think you are a solid early decision candidate for either school. Which do you prefer? Your interests in film and active politics might suggest Wesleyan, which has a great film department and accomplished alumni in film and TV, as well as a very politically active campus, but you might love Amherst, too. Good luck!

3

Wesleyan sounds like a perfect fit. Let us know about your impressions of Amherst.

4

Both Little Three colleges have one US senator currently serving in Congress: Chris Coons, Amh85 (D-DE) and Michael Bennet, Wes87 (D-CO). And, one of the most interesting politicians around today is John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado and Wesleyan Class of 1974 (we overlapped as undergrads.) You really can’t go wrong with either college.

5

I ended up applying to Wesleyan ED, and I just learned that I have been deferred to ED2. No matter what happens I think it was the right decision, and thank you all for helping me to decide.