<p>Hi, I'm Zach, I am a white male and I go to a private school outside of Baltimore. I would kill to get into Middlebury, and Bowdoin is my 2nd choice. Here's my rough resume:
GPA - 3.7 (my school is notorious for almost no grade inflation..very tough)
SATS 650 verbal, 650 math, 640 writing (I plan to retake them)
SAT II - Japanese 800
US History 730
I've taken 12 years of Japanese language courses at my school, and I've been an exchange student over the summer at Gakushuin School in Tokyo for 3 weeks the last 2 summers. I passed the Japanese Proficiency Exam for level 3 this past winter, administered at Georgetown University.
I'm taking a college theology course at a local university this fall.
I've been active in several school clubs.
I'm a 4 year varsity letter athelete (varsity tennis).
I have been playing classical piano for 6 years.
I am an exceptional painter (9 years of classical oil painting and plan to submit a portfolio).
I have taken AP Statistics as a sophomore (4 on the exam). AP US history as a junior (4 on the exam). I am taking AP english, AP europoean history, AP calculus BC, and AP environmental science next year. I have been in independent study japanese classes the last 2 years at my school.
My essay should be very good...I'm a creative writer despite my SAT writing score. I do not test well. My emphasis is really my specialty in Japanese language.
I know Middlebury is impossible to get into...but what do you think of my chances?
Also, for Bowdoin (and Bates and Colby).</p>
<p>Your SATs are kinda low for those schools, but neither requires them (Midd requires some other test in their place) and same with your GPA, but they look at the class as a whole, so if theres grade deflation, then it should show. Your extracurriculars seem in order, and the japanese thing could ct as a hook for you. I'd say you have an ok shot (both are reaches though), but a better shot if you improve your test scores.</p>
<p>Just curious, but how do you know what you got on your AP exams you just took (US history)?</p>
<p>holy crud.. taking japanese sets you apart immediately (since you're not japanese) so i'd say you'd almost definitely get into middlebury since it's a good school for languages. </p>
<p>fix up that SAT by a bit, and i'd say you'd get into places like HYP</p>
<p>how's baltimore? :) i'm from there too</p>
<p>Talk to your GC and see if he/she has a scattergram or gray book listing gpa/SAT's from kids that were accepted/rejected/wl at these LAC's. Since your top schools are SAT optional, seeing how kids with your GPA faired at these schools will give you a better barometer than we can. If you are able to apply ED - and do not require finaid, it will likely help. Your Japanese ec's are pretty neat - definately not run of the mill! </p>
<p>Macalester and maybe one of the west coast LAC's could round out your list, with Bates and Colby (where you would have a better shot). If you haven't discussed finances with the 'rents as yet, be sure to do so soon. You might need a financial safety.</p>
<p>You look like a very interesting student and human being, and I wish you all the best!</p>
<p>Well thank you guys, I have mixed messages about what my chances are at Middlebury, but nonetheless, it looks like I at least have a shot. With the AP US History that was a conservative estimate (my class prepares so well for it that no one has gotten less than a 4 in a few years). It's possible that I'll get a 5. Please, all of you, more comments are welcome and appreciated.</p>
<p>Oh, and I'm not a believer of "rounding out my list" with schools from other locations. Obviously, I'm interested in New England, so I don't see why I'd want to apply to a school out west. Finances are not even an issue...I'll just leave it at that. Other people though, what do you think about Middlebury and Bowdoin?</p>
<p>I would think you have a strong shot at both schools. Granted, testing is a little weak, but as someone mentioned, neither school requires SAT's. Application to both these schools is a little disconcerting tho....several people in my class were accepted to top ivies but were rejected/waitlisted from Middlebury and Bowdoin. I would still consider these to be "reaches."</p>
<p>You're in at Bates and Colby.</p>
<p>Not needing finaid is going to help you - this also means you can apply ED to Midd and ED II to Bowdoin if Midd doesn't come through. Make should that you give yourself plenty of time for your rec's and essays - the ED deadline can sneak up on you!</p>
<p>Might try Holy Cross,Trinity or Colgate. HC has best location of the three -1 hour from Boston.</p>