Offbeat Applicant, Bit Out of Range

<p>but hoping for a "holistic" look at the application. 2030 SAT single sitting 640M 670V 720W. GPA 3.75 UW about 4.2 W, w/6-7 APs and rest honors courses. 2nd team All-State High Jump as a Sophomore (currently a junior). NHS, but the hook is music. Band has first EP completed--professionally produced, but no record label as yet. Paid gigs at Stone Pony in Asbury Park, School of Rock, and first University date coming up in a couple weeks. College is a priority, but looking to keep a hand in the music business professionally. Worth applying or not?</p>

<p>not a garage band, but as a young back-up band or first act, earn low four figures per show, hoping to get to five. No illusions of music being a livelihood (although one never knows), but might be interested in a career in the business beyond just performing (business management, entertainment law etc.).</p>

<p>The applicant pool of Williams is really self-selected from a lot of great people. But at some point everyone looks the same on paper. (The question you are posing is on paper, metaphorically), so no one can really tell you. It’s always worth applying, and it’s ALL ABOUT the essays. I was not ranked very high in my high school with only 4 APs by graduation, and I got into Williams because of my essay.</p>

<p>You can post all the stats you want, and no one here can give you an honest “chance.” William is building a class, and takes in students for a wide variety of reasons. I can list numerous kids who were rejected or waitlisted with shockingly amazing stats and ECs, but the plain fact is Williams picked other kids who fit their purposes for that class. An offbeat EC with demonstrated accomplishment can go a long way, as long as the academics shows rigor and the test scores are in the range. Of course, better scores would up the odds, but the scores predominantly will decide whether they take a closer look at you, not the basis for whether they accept or reject you, IMO.</p>

<p>thx. That seems to be the case w/several of the elite LACs. They have a hurdle rate they want you to clear to be sure you can handle the curriculum, but once satisfied, they are looking for an interesting, diverse, and challenging mix in their student body. Bottom line, you never really know what will catch their attention vs. what is simply a yawn.</p>

<p>the corollary to what i said above, is that I also know students who were admitted with lower stats than one would seem to need for Wliiams, but they had something else the school wanted – in the cases I know, it was for sports and / or legacy.</p>

<p>You have almost no chance. Details:</p>

<p>[Academic</a> Rating at Williams : EphBlog](<a href=“http://www.ephblog.com/2010/12/02/academic-rating-at-williams/]Academic”>http://www.ephblog.com/2010/12/02/academic-rating-at-williams/)</p>

<p>Well, guess he shouldn’t waste using the ED option there. Wonder why they even include the Critical Writing section on the SAT- almost no school seems to even weight it in the decision-making process. Unfortunately, it’s my S’s strong suit.</p>

<p>FWIW - while you list music as a hook … the high jump might work also … if he was an all-state jumper as a soph I bet he’d be a stud jumper at Williams … does he do multiple events … here are some t&f recruiting guidelines … [Men’s</a> Track Recruiting Guidelines](<a href=“http://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting-tools/College-Track-Recruiting/mens-track-recruiting-guidelines]Men’s”>http://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting-tools/College-Track-Recruiting/mens-track-recruiting-guidelines)</p>