Please Help Me: Obsessed with Vassar, need to know if ED II is realistic

<p>Obsessed With Vassar- Applying Ed II-chances? </p>

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<p>Hey everybody. I am currently a senior in a very competitive high school in Long Island, and I need some reassurance. I am absolutely obsessed with Vassar college, and as a result, I will be applying ED II. </p>

<p>Here are my credentials: </p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (weighted) top 10 percent (maybe even top 5 percent by December) - IB Diploma Assumed Candidate
Essays- Will be great
Recs- Are great, very very personal.
EC's- I have a huge passion for music (I am a classical pianist), and this is highly shown through my resume, in which nearly every activity is music related, including being accompanist for SEVERAL groups, as well as playing at various community venues. I also studied at the Mannes College of Music (in NYC) on weekends for two years. Vassar looks for a passion: my resume clearly shows music as my passion. I am also involved with many honor societies, as well as a volunteer in my local Ambulance Corps. (In my resume, I stated I was starting EMT training in January)
SAT: Right now, 1310 (660 V, 650 Math). Hoping to get up to 1350
SAT II's: 750 writing, 730 physics, 710 math IC
Supp. Material: I will be sending in a high quality CD recording of myself playing two pieces (lasting around 15 minutes)</p>

<p>I think I have everything going for my application for Vassar (Including being a male, because statistically, males have 10 percent higher acceptance than females). The one thing keeping me back is that stupid, three hour test we call the SAT. I am barely within the range of Vassar, but does anybody think this will hold me back, with everything else I have? </p>

<p>Anybody give an honest opinion about if I am wasting my time applying ED II to Vassar, and/or how I can improve myself, and make myself stand out (besides improving SAT I). Also, can very good SAT II's (such as mine) make up for mediocre SAT I? Thanks everybody!</p>

<p>I can't imagine that there is anyone on this forum who would know. Have you tried the "What are My Chances" or the Vassar forum?</p>

<p>I think you have a very good chance of being accepted. Your grades, ECs, SAT IIs are so strong. Your gender definitely gives you a boost. You might try taking the ACT. It tends to be more like the SAT IIs - and since you've done well with these, it's worth a shot.</p>

<p>I would recommend that you arrange an on campus interview, if possibe. If that isn't available, definitely arrange to be interviewed by an alum in your area. The college listens to the comments and impressions of the alum interviewers, and a personal comment can help to defray a weakness on paper. Vassar is a a great place (I graduated <em>several</em> years ago), and the music dept is excellent. I assume you know that the Steinway family's endowment provides Steinway pianos in all the dorms! A nice touch!</p>

<p>Actually, it so happens that I visited Vassar for the second time a few days ago (sat in for a music class and biology class). I had an interview with the chairman of the music department (which went very well), and he said that if I send in a CD of musical performance with my application, the department would give in a recommendation to the admissions committee. Is this a nice substitute for an alumni interview? I remember the Dean of Admission stating that the alumni interview is purely informational, and does not have any bearing on the admissions process. </p>

<p>What do you feel my chances are at early admission, and do you feel my strong SAT II's make up for the SAT I? To me, it is hard to believe that the admissions committee would hold one mediocre score against me, when everything else is very strong, as well as a recommendation from the music department. Hopefully this is true thinking, and I am not being too ideal!</p>