hey, everyone! I figured I would start this thread for the early decision round two bunnies (such as myself) applying to be a part of Grinnell’s Class of 2022! EXCITEMENT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT! is anyone else out there applying this round?
Yes I applied ED2
@herickxz sweet! where are you from?
@kalons I’m an international student from Pakistan. What about you?
@herickxz I’m from Tennessee! What do you like about Grinnell? 
@kalons EVERYTHING. Especially the small class size, diversity and inclusiveness. What about you?
@herickxz SAME. i really, really appreciate the “come as you are” vibe and the personal relationships students establish with their professors. also, the ability to do extensive research as an undergraduate is super cool the financial aid is incredible as well. GRINNELL IS JUST GREAT, LOL.
@kalons yes Grinnell is Great.
Any news about when the decisions might come out?
@herickxz I’m not sure! I know it said early february and our deposit has to be in by february fifteenth, so i’m thinking probably february first?
Looking at previous years, it seems that the decisions are released on the last Friday of January. So I’m guessing that they’ll release on 26 jan. fingers crossed
@herickxz OKAY, SO, DECISIONS ARE OUT, BUT I REFUSE TO LOOK AT MY APPLICATION STATUS BECAUSE TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY, LMAO.
I GOT ACCEPTED, EVERYONE! OH, MY GOD! THANK YOU ALL SO, SO MUCH.
Congratulations. My son is also in Class of 2022, and I was watching you this month to see what would happen. Happy Birthday!
i’m going to post this because i believe it’s extremely important for those who have followed my journey through this long (and sometimes heartbreaking) process. i’ll go more in depth in the general comments area of this post.
Decision: Accepted
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 29 Composite with a 30 Super Score
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/278
AP (place score in parenthesis): i took AP Calc AB as a senior, the only AP class i was able to take my entire high school career.
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: a few of honors classes, AP Calc AB, a gym class, and a study hall/teacher’s assistant class
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Valedictorian/Top Ten Percent/Some minor subject awards
Extracurriculars: i’m an AP class self-learner, i code themes for tumblr, i write poetry, i run a blog, i help my sister with her business, i tutor my brother (and sometimes my dad), etc.
Job/Work Experience: i was usually busy with school/tutoring my brother after school, so i didn’t have a job
Volunteer/Community service: i was/am part of a local community service organization dedicated to helping better the county
Summer Activities: i really just chilled in the summer
Essays (rating 1-10, details): my common app must have been good, so i’d give it an 8/10? I also submitted my own “Why Grinnell?” essay. it was a bit humorous, but goodness, i really, really showed how much i wanted to attend.
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 — my senior year english teacher; i love her
Teacher Rec #2: 7-8/10? — i’m not sure about her recommendation, but it must have been good. she was my AP Calc AB teacher, and i really appreciated her
Counselor Rec: 5-6/10 — hmmm… i don’t want to say generic, but probably generic? we have two counselors for 850-900 kids (9th grade has their own counselor), so i don’t blame her if it was. i did get to know her a little better though, and she was super helpful and understanding of me this year.
Applied for Financial Aid?: YES
Intended Major: i chose psychology with a neuroscience concentration, but i spoke with my admission officer during the process, and we both agreed that creating my own cognitive science major sounds like a terrific, unique idea.
State (if domestic applicant): TN
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: severely underfunded public school
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: my parents are divorced, but my mom makes around ~$60K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation
Strengths: grades/rank/i’m a boy from an under-recognized state/i’m first generation
Weaknesses: ACT score/no leadership/i’m incredibly average
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: see general comments
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: i was accepted to indiana university-bloomington, and i’ll be pulling my applications from everywhere else.
General Comments:
first of all, i want to personally thank every single person who has ever commented on my threads, given me advice, or supplied me with enthusiasm and encouragement. from the bottom of my heart, thank you so, so much. this acceptance—this journey—would not have been possible without your all’s help and reassurance.
second of all, and i sincerely can not stress this enough, demonstrated interest matters more than you think. i established a bond with my admissions officer in september and kept in touch with her through my entire process. i not only stressed that grinnell was undeniably my first choice, but i also stressed how i felt grinnell was perfect for me in many, many ways. i got in touch with members of the class of 2021, talked with members of the LGBT+ community center on campus, etc. i even wrote an extra “Why Grinnell?” essay for crying out loud, hahaha. i did this because i love the school with my entire being. i undoubtedly believe i was accepted because of my strong love for the school and yearn to physically be there.
third of all, i am completely shocked by my acceptance. before i opened it, i said to my sister, “i can feel it in my heart that i was rejected, and that’s okay. i have indiana already, and i have my other admissions decisions to wait for, so it’s okay. whatever happens, happens.” i clicked the link, the confetti fell from the top of the screen, and i bawled my eyes out. i have never been given a better birthday present. i’m so incredibly fortunate and blessed to be given this opportunity.
last of all, if you’re thinking of not applying because you’re “average” or below grinnell’s score percentile, please rethink your decision. i was below average in almost everything, yet here i am typing this post as happy tears stream from my eyes. i have waited so long for this, and it’s finally here. I’M GOING TO COLLEGE, Y’ALL! I’M GOING TO FREAKING GRINNELL!
Congratulations, @kalons! They chose well and you chose well. You are going to be blown away by the quality of teaching there.
@MatzoBall apologies for not responding sooner, but i’ve needed a couple of days for it to sink in! thank you SO much! i’ve never been happier in my life.
@kalons, a BIG congratulations!!
@Chembiodad a MASSIVE, MASSIVE thank you!
:)>-