Hello everyone, I know a lot of people make these, but I just wanted to let you see what can happen that is outside the norm.
I go to a math/sci magnet school and am mid pack, white female. I have a 3.95 gpa weighted, SAT < 2000, ACT of 33, SAT II (Math 2 760s, Chem and French in 600s). I’ll put my classes and grades (don’t want to give away too much). As you can see my grades weren’t great. I am big on math, cs, and music.
Freshman:
Biology Honors B+, English 9 Honor A, French 2 A, required (tech) class A, Band A, PE A, Alg 2 Honors A
Summer:
Comp Sci A
Sophomore:
Chem Honors B+, World History 2 Honors B, English 10 Honors B, French 3 B, Precalc Honors A-, Band A, PE A
Summer:
World History 1 A
Junior:
APUSH B (4), English 11 Honors B, AP Calc BC B- (5), Band A, Jazz Band A, elective (tech) honors A/A-, Physics Honors C+
Summer:
English 12 A, Comp sci at community college A
Senior:
required class (CS) honors A, AP US Gov B+, Geosystems Honors A-, AP Music Theory A, band A, jazz band A, multivariable calc/cryptography B-/A
ECs:
Dance, school clubs, various music ensembles, various music awards. All state band.
I applied to only 4 schools. George Mason University, Case Western Reserve, University of Richmond, and William and Mary. I applied for honors college at mason and richmond scholars. I wrote my common app essay on why I got a C+ in physics (teacher problem) and how I learned from it. I didn’t apply for financial aid, so I knew I would have to work hard to be able to go to my top choice.
Mason: I really didn’t want to go, but it was my safety and my parents liked it because of its CS program. I wrote my honors college essay on how to improve the security of computers through education of programmers. I was accepted to the school, honors college, and school of music without an audition. I received no scholarship.
Case: This was my top choice because it was by far my favorite school music and math/cs wise. I visited the school several times, had a lesson with the professor, I did an audition in January and had to wait the long wait until results came out. When they finally did, I was accepted with a full-tuition music scholarship!
Richmond: My parents had to drag me to the initial visit because I hate spiders. I hated the school and would have none of it. I applied just to please my parents, as I wanted to go to case. I made the semi-finals for richmond scholars and applied for science and artist. I made the finals for artist and went down for the audition right after I found out I got the case scholarship. I really didn’t care what would happen but still did my best on the audition, visited classes, and got to know the campus. I ended up falling in love with the campus and when I returned home, was so excited to find out I got the richmond scholar too!
W & M: This was the last school I applied to and, while I did submit a music supplement, I did not write the optional essay. It was the last school I heard from and I was waitlisted, which I chose not to pursue.
I had a very hard april, but decided on richmond! Are you confused? Well I was too. I love math, cs, and music all of which case is known for but richmond isn’t… Richmond just felt like home and I don’t care if it’s a “weaker” school. My current plan is to triple major in math, cs, and music, which wouldn’t have been possible at case.
Well what did I learn from this and why do you care?
First, know your strengths. I wasn’t anywhere near the top of the class, so why would I apply to ivies when I knew I wouldn’t get in. I also knew I could focus on music as a way of paying for school.
Second, know your school. There are a lot of schools dying to have kids from my school, but most people don’t apply to them because they are a lower lever. So what? It’s not worth going to a school you can’t afford.
Third, don’t underestimate your safeties. Did you notice something? While I got into mason, I didn’t get any money, which was because I didn’t show tremendous interest and they could tell they were my safety. William and mary could tell they weren’t really on my radar, and chose not to accept me.
In the end, I will get a great education at a place I love. I will not have to borrow any money or go into debt. If more students went this route, the entire dynamic of education would change. Who cares about prestige? Really, in the long run, it won’t help you.
Thank you for reading and sorry that it was so long, just felt a need to share.