<p>I'm trying to decide whether to apply to Williams early decision. It's where I really want to go but I'm scared of wasting my early decision shot if I'm out of the running as it does seem to improve an applicant's chances.</p>
<p>I am a Senior at a very competitive public high school in the Northeast,
My GPA is 3.7,
My SAT1 scores are 740V, 730M, 680W (may retake in Oct.),
My SAT2's are 700 Math 1C, 740 Bio, 750 US History,
AP US History with a 4,
AP Physics currently,
Active athlete: football, baseball. ultimate frisbee (but no longer on varsity teams),
Other EC activities: President Spanish Club, community groups,
Planning to be a Physics major.</p>
<p>Is it possible that Williams will accept me ED or are the odds just too steep? I would be interested in hearing what you all may think. Thanks.</p>
<p>Your statistics are in the middle range for Williams. Not terrible by any means, but not the type that would land your application in the auto-admit pile. </p>
<p>Same with your ECs -- just okay. Unless you have some other trump card up your sleeve (URM, first generation college, legacy, a talent or interest that you haven't mentioned?) your chances are "iffy". Strong references and essays may help push you over the edge. If you are female, your interest in Physics may be a plus as well. </p>
<p>I think the question you need to ask yourself is if you don't give Williams your best shot (i.e., apply ED) will you forever regret it? If the answer is yes, then put together a knockout application, concentrating on the areas that you CAN control, like essays, recommendations, demonstrated interest. Percentage-wise Williams accepts some 40% of its ED applicants, so commitment is a major factor.</p>
<p>At the same time, you should have a strong Plan B.</p>
<p>well I suppose there are some girls who play football, but I'd guess that the OP is a male ;)</p>
<p>Unless you are a real standout athlete or have some other major talent that you haven't mentioned, I don't think your chances are that good. </p>
<p>You'll definitely boost your chances by applying ED, but maybe you don't want to waste your ED app on a far reach? That's something you have to answer for yourself. Being from the northeast is not a plus either.</p>
<p>Thanks all. I'm somewhat encouraged, discouraged and/or chastened. I do have other aspects to my life (lead singer, song writer and guitarist in rock band) but I'm far from having a record contract or from being a Trump, let alone having a trump to add to my resume. I'm not an URM, unless an alternative translation is Unusually Regular Male. So I guess I'm not auto-admit, but I really want to go to Williams!</p>
<p>I've visited twice, attended the Open House, plan on interviewing. I believe I'll have great recommendations, I'll do my best to wow them on the essay (any suggestions?), and I'll offer to get a Purple Cow tattoo (maybe my parents will understand).</p>
<p>I really think I'm the kind of person that would be of a positive impact on the school (please forgive the immodesty), so does anyone have concrete suggestions for what else I might do to impress the admissions department?</p>
<p>I'm surprised that someone taking AP Physics didn't take the Math IIC. That might hurt you, because math and physics are exceptionally strong at Williams, and attract serious brainiacs. You might want to consider doing that when you retake the SAT-W. You should probably even do it to help you with some of your serious Plan B schools. Math IC is pretty basic--my kids took it in 10th grade (most of the class did), on the advice of their teachers, so the recently studied material would be fresh. I would be surprised if IIC isn't expected from students going into science/math.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion. I was planning to take the Physics SAT2 in November. Having already taken the Math SAT1 (730) and the Math 1C SAT2 (700), and having been in our high honors math class since I was an 8th grader, I thought the Physics SAT2 might add something given my interest in being a Physics major.</p>
<p>Do you have a good, savvy GC? Ask him or her. The advice we got was take IC at the end of 10th, in case you decide to be a Humanities major or something, but kids who were on the honors science track were told to take IIC after Junior year. My daughter actually did better in IIC than she did in IC, despite the higher level of Math. We were also told that the Physics SAT2 was extremely tough, and no one does well in it unless they've gotten into college level stuff, so that would probably be a poor substitute for IIC. I can't remember the numbers now, but I was very surprised when I saw how few students (nationally) take the Physics SAT2.</p>
<p>yea, i scored better on IIC (800) than on IC (low 700). IIC is not that hard, and although I thought I got somewhere in low 700s, I was surprised to see I received 800. Lots of people on CC say "i thought i got 650 but got 800 on IIC!" and at first i thought it was totally BS, but curve is nice so it really does happen. So if you've taken precalc, take IIC. </p>
<p>And physics SAT II isn't that hard if you've taken AP Phys.</p>
<p>"And physics SAT II isn't that hard if you've taken AP Phys."</p>
<p>It's definitely worth taking if you think you want to major in Physics, and have had adequate instruction, but I would still say it's not a good substitute for IIC on your application. To put it another way: You don't declare your major at Williams until second semester sophomore year, and math/physics is one of the choices many make. However, as high school seniors applying for admission, they're more likely to be evaluated on the basis of their math experience than on their much more limited physics experience. I guess what I'm saying is, if choosing between the two (as the OP seems to be doing), I would recommend choosing IIc. You can prove your physics prowess when you take the placement exams at Williams as a freshman....with a whole additional year of physics and calc under your belt.</p>
<p>Zandmind, There are plenty of Unusually Regular Males at Williams. I think your music involvement could add another dimension.</p>
<p>Williams values commitment and self-confidence, not arrogance, but a strong sense of self, which you seem to project. I dont have any further suggestions, except to let your personality shine through in your essays.</p>
<p>Question, though, youre the second person whos mentioned interviewing. Has Williams changed their policy on interviews? When my son applied three years back, it wasnt a factor.</p>
<p>"It's definitely worth taking if you think you want to major in Physics, and have had adequate instruction, but I would still say it's not a good substitute for IIC on your application."</p>
<p>Oh yeah, definitely. I didn't mean to say 'take physics as substitute for IIC.' Sorry I didn't read the previous posts carefully. But yeah, if you do feel confident in physics (meaning a year of solid prep at school course), i'd say go for it coz it's not really that hard to get over 750 (of course, given that you're somewhat strong in physics).</p>