You might want to see which of the remaining schools on her list have an ED2 round.
Yes good point. I was hoping Barnard had ED2 did but it does not.
@AlmostThere2018 Good insight. I was trying to be data-driven finding the intersection of rigorous academics and ballet, boom, there’s your list but alas, not that simple.
UCLA’s dance program is modern focused (and world dance) not ballet, also it’s a BA not a BFA. However it did attract some strong students this year. I’d be concerned that your daughter’s SAT score is on the low side for UCLA.
Amongst the other UCs, UCI and UCSB both have dance BFAs. They are not pure ballet, but you would likely find some ballet classes for non-majors. Worth adding if you’re already doing a UC application.
@ReelLife – My D only applied RD and fort. had a number of great options to choose from. In the end, her choice came down to gut feeling for the college. I mean, it was great on paper too, but it felt like where she knew she should be.
In particular, there was one other college that on paper might have been a better choice given her academic interests are something the college is really known for (basically, LAC producing science PhDs). Choosing it would have meant she was surrounded by a lot of students who share her interests which seems great, right? Instead, she chose an equally great school but one where she’s one of a smaller number of students with same passion. (It’s more pre-professional.) And to her that was actually a draw – she kinda likes being ‘one of the few’ at her college for her interests.
No right or wrong choice – just different ways of looking at things and making decisions!
If I may ask Why Sarah Lawrence ?
Seems to me that Bard should receive some consideration as well as Vassar College.
Grinnell College is a great school, but will she have access to any ballet performances ?
My daughter’s list had quite a bit of overlap with yours. Just want to remind you (as others have) that safeties are not safeties, probably for reasons of yield protection. For example, my daughter was waitlisted at Skidmore, although she was undoubtedly an excellent candidate and showed interest. No matter - she was accepted at many other more selective schools.
1440 is an excellent score, but for Swarthmore it is below the average and median. Does she have the appetite to sit for the SAT again? She may have a better chance RD with a higher score, vs ED with the current score.
Skidmore College is definitely worth a visit. Gorgeous campus & Saratoga Springs is beautiful.
@Publisher These are excellent questions. Grinnell has absolutely no ballet but as I mentioned she was taken by what the admissions officer said to her which is maybe why I turned to this forum for help. Turns out teenagers aren’t always entirely logical and consistent. Sarah Lawrence is one she is not very enthusiastic about but was added because it seemed like it might be a good safety. She liked the location more than anything else.
DD just texted me and said maybe we should focus on Scripps since they have merit, better weather and the consortium in walking distance. Makes sense but sounds like we may be out of the ED round if she’s not locked in to a school the way she has been the last month. If we give up ED, seems like a miss. Scripps ED seems like something she might regret given her mind is likely to change.
She’s got a solid list so I think you can give her a little space the next couple of weeks and see where she is. Encourage her to watch you tube videos and read as much as she can online to see what’s resonating. Making the pros and cons lists and do a lot of talking. Ask her how she’d react if she found out tomorrow she’s for sure going to Swat / Scripps and to really think about it. She’ll figure it out!
Agree if she’s not sure then wait for RD. If my D would have applied ED, she would have chosen a college that by Spring had fallen near the bottom of her list so it was a dodged bullet that she didn’t.
Keep us posted!
If her mind is likely to change…don’t do ED.
Do either Bryn Mawr or Haverford have good dance programs? I would think if they do she would have access to them through the consortium? My Dd is extremely social justice oriented and really liked the vibe at Wellesley - she likely would have attended if she didn’t get into her #1 choice. I think your DD has a strong resume for women’s colleges.
She’s really wanting to take advantage of the ED boost so will do ED at either Swat or Barnard. It’s the ballet that’s pushing her toward Barnard but if anyone knows any ballet dancers that had a great ballet experience at Swat things might be tipped in that direction. She loved both schools during her visits. She’s going to call the Swat admissions office and ask them if they know any student dancers there she could talk to.
Her acceptance chances are higher at Barnard
@roycroftmom Statistically, that would appear to be the case, but given the holistic admissions philosophy at Swat, one can never be certain.
Just want to note that Mt Holyoke will not be a safety for anyone next year. They are extremely overenrolled. Great list though!!
Update: She’s doing ED at Barnard.
From everything you’ve posted about her interests that seems like the better fit over Swat ED. Good luck!!