Not a superstar, but am I a strong applicant?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>When I first found these forums I frowned on the "chance me" threads, seeing them as self-indulgent and whatnot. Nervous senior mentality is starting to set in, however, so I've decided to sell out and type one of these. Here goes:</p>

<p>Applying to:
Boston U
James Madison U
Oberlin C
U of Rochester
St. Olaf C
Tufts U
U of Virginia
C of William and Mary
(all RD, as I must weigh aid packages)</p>

<p>Ethnicity/gender: White male
High school: Large public school in Northern VA, near DC
Planned majors: Ideally, double degree in vocal music and either political science or international relations</p>

<p>GPA: 3.87 UW / 3.92 W
Rank: County doesn't do it, but I know I'm in the top 10% at least.
I've always chosen the most challenging courseload possible (honors/APs whenever possible, etc.), and I've got 4 years in a row of German, chorus, and drama, as well as a credited after-school group with entry by audition only (I'm one of two people to make it as a freshman).</p>

<p>Senior Courses:
AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, AP Government, AP German, Adv Mixed Chorus, Theatre 4, AP English, Vocal Ensemble</p>

<p>SAT: 760 CR, 720 M, 720 W (first and only time)
ACT and SAT II: pending
APs: 5 World Hist, 5 English Lang/Comp, 5 US Hist</p>

<p>School ECs:
Chorus - tenor section leader
Theatre (cast and crew credits for some six shows, including two leads)
International Thespian Society - Vice President
Improv Team
German Honor Society - President
Young Democrats - Vice President
National Honor Society
Cross-country and track (though I stopped in 9th grade after developing stress fractures in both legs)</p>

<p>Non-school ECs:
District Chorus every year
Private voice lessons since 10th grade
9 years of church choir
UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship)
Youth Drama Ministry (two show credits)
Community theatre (two show credits)
Played cello in a pit orchestra one summer
5 years of cello lessons</p>

<p>Awards:
National Merit Semifinalist
NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) - 2nd Place High School Men's Musical Theatre (2007)
NVMTA (Northern Virgnia Music Teacher's Association) - 2nd Place (2006)
3rd Place (2007)</p>

<p>Community service/volunteering:
Church-sponsored programs
Local political campaigns
Out-of-school performance of Moon Over Buffalo, all profits benefitting Rwanda orphans</p>

<p>Summer programs:
Virginia Governor's School for the Visual and Performing Arts - singing (2007)</p>

<p>Work experience/employment:
Choir singer - St. Rita Catholic Church</p>

<p>?</p>

2

<p>Tufts is your only real reach school, but it's a reasonable reach. Oberlin could be considered a lower reach/high match. I think you picked a good list! Don't worry, you'll do great! Good luck.</p>

3

<p>aim higher???</p>

4

<p>Tufts a reach? What? It's definitely a match.</p>

<p>To the OP, you'll probably get into all, if not most, of the schools on your list. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Probably match or low reach to all. Wouldn't hurt to add a few more 'reach' schools to the mix. Are you from TJ?</p>

6

<p>Aim higher. Your scores are in the 99th percentile and your GPA is solid. Your ECs are very impressive as well. Why not try some Ivies?</p>

7

<p>I still think Tufts is a reach, though, as I said, a reasonable one. The OP has average stats for Tufts.</p>

8

<p>You should really add more reaches. Your GPA is good, and your EC's are overkill for the schools you're applying to. If you're a good writer, you have pretty good chances at top tier schools.</p>

9

<p>Yes, you are a strong applicant. What this means is that if you apply to a range of schools, you should meet with success. How much and to which schools is unknown, but you are in good shape. I think that it's interesting that people see your info and immediately suggest applying to more reaches as though your list doesn't have enough great schools on it. While you definitely should apply to any school in which you have a strong interest, you shouldn't feel like you are selling yourself short to apply to the schools on your list and go to one of them. (In fact, you may find that they want to entice you with some extra $$, which might be especially great for you.) On CC you get a lot of people who assume that high ranking=great school. Your goal here is to get into a school that you think will give you the best college experience.</p>

10

<p>Thank you all very much. I appreciate the feedback. This makes me feel better.</p>

<p>With regard to the low number of "reaches", there are a couple reasons. The first is my peculiar situation with regards to my majors, and these are all schools that either contain strong music departments or are involved in partnerships with conservatories, as well as offering the academics I want. Second, like the last poster speculated, I'm praying for merit aid money. Third, Ivy admissions seem like something of a crapshoot, and paying $60+ for a crapshoot isn't attractive to me, especially since I know I'd be equally or even more fulfilled at Tufts, Oberlin, or St. Olaf.</p>

<p>Oh, and to answer amb3r: I go to Oakton. I didn't apply to TJ.</p>

11

<p>Congratulations, MelancholyDane, you have about the best list backed with the most mature reasoning as I have seen on this website. Congrats and good luck!</p>

12

<p>Might want to look at Holy Cross</p>

13

<p>I predict that you will be accepted to William and Mary.</p>

14

<p>IMO you are pretty safe. Why don't you apply to some reach schools? You never know.</p>

15

<p>Interested in music? Columbia and Juilliard have an exchange as does Harvard and NEC.</p>