<p>I'm a current junior and Wellesley sounds and looks AMAZING.
I have always held a certain fascination with Wellesley ever since Mona Lisa Smile; I love that the school has so much tradition and has produced strong women.</p>
<p>However, my GPA is definately not my strong point. I have a 3.67UW and 4.0W, mostly because of a C in AP Chem (I know, gasp, everyone on CC is the next Einstein. or so it seems) and Honors math classes (I know, you're probably questioning my intelligence).</p>
<p>So science? not my forte. same with math... yuck. </p>
<p>But I do truly love history and English, and I have gotten consistant As on those classes. My SAT is a 2230 as of now, but I will definatey take it again to achieve a 2300+, and I have four 750+ SAT2 scores. </p>
<p>I have taken community college classes relating to history and english, and yada yada yada. And extra currics, I have it all.</p>
<p>So I was wondering: </p>
<p>Is it completely bogus of me to reach for WELLESLEY because of my GPA? Or do I have a legit chance? </p>
<p>(I would appreciate real insight on this, this isn't a chance kind of thing -- past applicants, especially if you didn't have a 5.0 or a ridic high GPA... especially if you had a rather low UW... insight please!)</p>
<p>Hey, I'm a prospective applicant too! Funny, I actually have the opposite problem--my SAT scores (2130) aren't amazing, but my GPA is fine (4.3 UW). </p>
<p>Unfortunately, since I haven't applied yet, I can't give you an accurate judgement...just the same vague things that I've heard a lot: the "holistic evaluation" of your credentials in the application, especially with regard to how well you "challenged yourself," which is seems you've done plenty. In light of those things, I would say go for it. </p>
<p>Look on the bright side: if you absolutely adore English, you can probably write a really killer essay. :-) </p>
<p>Sorry for not having a concrete answer. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone in the oh-my-gosh-I'm-not-Einstein-Jr. issue. Good luck!</p>
<p>I don't think anyone can give you an accurate assessment of what will and won't be accept-worthy except the admissions people, but I wanted to give you some hope because I applied with a 3.7UW/3.9W and 2250. I definitely feel like my recommendations, why Wellesley question, and essays didn't go to waste so work hard on those! Definitely more fulfilling, personally at least, than more SAT studying.</p>
<p>But what's stopping you from reaching? The online application is free anyway, so you might as well apply. ^_^</p>
<p>My gpa was definitely stronger than my exam scores but i believe that the reason i got into Wellesley was because of my common app essay and my Why wellesley. Also in ur essay, or during the interview,, really talk about ur passions! show them that u r on some type of mission or really care about something, whether thats a sport, an instrument or something else. Tell them about ur passions!!</p>
<p>its not always about the numbers...i applied with sat scores below 2000, quite low yes : ) and 3.7W and i was accepted. i think you need to focus on what you do outside of the class as well. wellesley really wants to know what you are passionate about. and of course killer essays help too.</p>
<p>I'm like you, not particularly strong at science and math is definitely not my forte (yet both my parents are chemists?!). My sophomore year I got a C in math (Pre-IB) and then a B+ the next year. I agree with Tomolo, my GPA was around a 3.73 uw when I applied. My SAT score was not particularly strong, the highest score I ever got was a 1930, but then I took the ACT and did much better on that with a 31, which is the equivalent of a 2030 or so. I applied Early Evaluation and was given a "likely", and then later I was accepted.</p>
<p>I believe that the reasons for my acceptance were a strong interview (I showed the interviewer my art and she really liked it), my passion for art/music, the support of the Wellesley swim coach (Wellesley says that coaches do not have a say in acceptances, but I think coaches are able to nudge the admissions office), my Russian background, and my location (I live on the West Coast, so geographical diversity may have had a role).</p>
<p>Obviously, your strengths might be different than mine. But look more closely at yourself. Where do you live? What is your financial background? Are you a "rounded" student or do you have a narrow focus? It used to be that colleges looked for "rounded" students, but now they are accepting students who have passion in one or two areas instead of everything. Colleges will be able to see that you are not going to pursue math or science as a major, and so you will be slightly excused from the poor grades. Your SAT score also indicates that you are not completely helpless at math.</p>
<p>Always try. If Wellesley is your first choice, apply. See what happends. It's important to not be afraid of rejection in the college application process, holding back because of fears is something you will regret.
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I personally think you have an excellent shot at Wellesley. I applied Early Evaluation and got a "highly likely", and was accepted and will be attending in the fall! =] My numbers, honestly, weren't as high as yours. My GPA was a 95.7 (for some reason my school doesn't calculate it otherwise) and my SAT was a 2090. I feel that Wellesley is not all about the numbers, their admissions officers focus more on you as an individual. I think my strengths were in my ECs and personal accomplishments. I took the hardest course load my small school could offer, and reached beyond my school when I could, taking online courses through the University of Maine. You've already demonstrated the drive of taking courses at a CC and challenging yourself. I come from rural Maine, in a town full of cows and john deere tractors on the roads(!), and I honestly feel that helped me, because I bring a different world view to the Wellesley community. Make sure you tell them about what is important to you, what makes you tick. For me, it's art... and I wrote my essay about something that allowed me to tell them things about myself that I couldn't anywhere on the application. </p>
<p>So, definitely apply. I don't know what the admissions officers are thinking, no one does but them, but if you are really serious about Wellesley you just need to show them your other illustrious facets, as a student and as a woman with ideas, opinions, and potential for growth. =] The essay is a prime way to do that, interviews are excellent as well. Make sure to visit campus, and while you are there stop into the admissions office... people are more than willing to talk to you, and it will show them your interest... and in some cases, give your application a face.</p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck! If you have any questions at all, let me know! =D</p>