<p>Well, first off congragulations Claire!!! I'm so glad that somebody else in my situation got in. I'm also glad that you got to see how SATs aren't everything. You must have been very qualified to get selected without SATs-it's harder for nonsubmitters to be accepted and it's pretty hard to get accepted even with SATs. Oh, and thanks for telling me I'm a great writer- that means a lot to me! Also, I wouldn't get too disheartened yet morningview. Now that I remember, I asked the Bates admissions officer is there an advantage to applying early decision. I didn't say Early decision II. She told me no. But I know there is an advantage to applying early decision since it says so online. I did not specify which early decision. So I do not think she was telling the truth. I'm really sorry for getting you nervous- I just figured this out today. I am submitting a pretty creative supplement like you did Claire so hopefully that will help. I got accepted early action to Oneonta today- which isn't the best but a good state school in New York. So, it certainly feels better after getting a deferral! So, it seems like today abounds with good news. I definitely think the ED II rate is higher than 28 percent.</p>
<p>Well, if that early decision percent includes ED I and ED II that's great! I have a good feeling that it does- I really don't think Bates would just refer to ED I in that percent. Also take into account what I said before. I had assumed that when I said early decision the admissions officer would have thought ED II since you can no longer apply ED I. But, now I realized, that the admissions officer probably wasn't thinking ED II. It's really just a big guessing game but I definitely have a better feeling now about ED II than I did before.</p>
<p>ericgr, I got in ed1 as well. I submitted test scores, HOWEVER, it seems as though Bates is really emphasizing the importance of the interview. So if you interviewed (and you did unless I just grossly misread your post), and it went extremely well, then your lack of test scores probably won't hurt your chances at the school. My test scores were fine, but nothing spectacular-- some over the Bates average but not like a 2400!!-- but my interview went really well, so I'm chalking it up to that. GL with your app :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice ohohjanedoe. I'm hoping my interview went very well and that my interviewer gave me a good review- I assumed he did. I expressed a lot of interest in the school, the unique aspects that drew me to it, and why I would be beneficial to the Bates community. If you don't mind me asking, what were your other stats and ec's like? I know Bates cares about other things besides stats and ec's as well, but I'm just wondering.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the 50% ACT range for Bates? If not, guesses?</p>
<p>I'm not sure- but you might want to convert your ACT score to an SAT score and compare that equivalent SAT score to Bates' average just to get an idea. I'd guess that the average SAT scores equate closely to the average ACT scores. Here is the link for a site with the conversion table.
<a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/cbsenior/yr2002/pdf/ten.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/cbsenior/yr2002/pdf/ten.pdf</a></p>
<p>morningview: i don't exactly have "stats" that are exact but i'll try to give you an idea:
grades 9 and 10 had a 3.4 GPA in accelerated classes in a competitive public school in MA. I moved to CA the summer before my junior year, and grades 11 and 12 I worked my way up to a 4.4 (most recent progress report) Now I'm taking 3 AP classes and my school doesn't offer honors or accelerated classes- class rank as of now is 16/400 unweighted, but probably much lower for all four years.</p>
<p>as for EC's- I've been doing a weird random sport called vaulting since I was 6 years old and it has basically been my life (5 days a week kind of thing). I've done some community service, dance, and some gymnastics. This past May I tore a ligament in my elbow during a vaulting competition so I couldn't vault until November. Over the summer (when I'm usually vaulting and can't go anywhere until after nationals in late August) I took Psychology at a local college and went to Peru to build houses. My only school involvement is as secretary of Project Cornerstone (organization fighting racism and bullying).</p>
<p>Best of luck!! I hope you get in. If you have any questions on the app, I can try my best to give you advice.</p>
<p>EricGR:
My stats....
I am kind of the classic chronic underachiever, I guess. So this should put your mind at ease :P</p>
<p>I have a 3.3 UW at a reasonably competitive school(gasp, I know...), a 2190, 770 (SAT2 US History), 620 (I know, I know... SAT2 MATHI) and a 750 (Chinese w/ Listening). I have 5s on the APs that I have taken (US History, Euro History, Human Geography). I have, however, taken consistently difficult courses, that show my interest in history. There is a C marring my academic record-- ah, the dreaded chemistry--if all of those Bs haven't aready marred it. I do well in what I'm interested in (history, English, languages [oh yeah, I'm a double 'languager']) and as for the rest of it... uh... yes. </p>
<p>My ecs: I have played 2 varsity sports consistently through h.s., taught at a sunday school consistently and... that's about it. I've done the usual summer program business... precollege program, 2 months in Beijing for a Manderin immersion and CTY. I play 2 instruments, I guess, but I'm not really in a band program. I've also played one of my sports in a rec league. I did get contacted by a coach at Bates with interest in me, but I'm not really interested in playing that particular sport competitively in college and told him so. </p>
<p>What I think got me in was the fact that my recs were GOLDEN and the fact that my interview went insanely well (to the point where the interviewer said, "Your interview went extremely well," etc.) and the fact that I'm a decent writer when I apply myself and I SLAVED over Bates' essay. So basically, I'm in on a fluke lol. But obviously I'm grateful for it. My background may have played a part in it too. I am half Caucasian, half Asian and I've lived overseas for the majority of my life, travelling extensively. </p>
<p>If you want to know anything else, just ask. You seem a much more likely candidate for admission (just checking out your stats) than I, so good luck with your EDII. I hope I've eased your mind a bit :P</p>
<p>ClairetheBear: Seriously, congrats!!! If you want to chat or whatever as one Bobcat to another (wow, lol, I can't believe I just said something that hokey) we should definately do that! :)</p>
<p>Thanks Ohohjanedoe! You seem pretty qualified to me. Your EC's are really good. I guess my grades are a bit higher, but that seems to be it. BTW, my sister did CTY- which campus did you do it at? Well, my interviewer didn't say anything as encouraging as your interviewer- but he did say I researched Bates very well. It's ironic, my Bowdoin interviewer told me that I was "highly qualified" but I didn't end up getting in there- got deferred. But I think Bates puts less emphasis on SATs. I really hope I get to see you and everyone else at Bates next year! and congrats again!!! I'll have to start calling you a Batesie if you want more hokey!!</p>
<p>Eric GR:
Sorry it's taken me forever and a year to reply :P ah, holiday break :) I seriously had no idea what day (either of the week or the date) it was for a while...
I've did CTY for a while actually:
2001 in St. Mary's, MD
2002 in Carlisle, PA
2003 in Honolulu, HI
Let me know about where your sister went! It's such a great program; you weren't interested?</p>
<p>I mean "I've done..." I can speak English, I swear!!!</p>
<p>I did another summer program instead of CTY. I always wanted to go to Spain so I studied abroad their in the summer which was really fun. My sister did CTY at Skidmore. So I'm obviously really hoping for some good news. What were your essays about- mine were about my experience at a bullfight and my supplement was about my teaching myself how to juggle. I thought my why Bates essay was the weakest, I found it hard to be original in this essay- i love bates but I still found it hard to really convey why I wanted to go. There are so many reasons and its really a combination of things. What did you write about in your why bates essay? And where do you live- I'm from New York.</p>
<p>Oh and I read that you had a fun time with chemistry... Ahh, the dreaded chemistry and physics. And I thought the intro classes were impossible- and I may be interested in medicine. I think the Maine schools have strong science programs which is another word for hard.</p>
<p>I really wanted to study abroad in Spain this past summer, but I wound up doing a pre-college program instead. Im going though, on a school trip in March, so thatll be good. My common app essay was about how I dont know how to define myself because I have a lot of ethnic stuff going on, and my Why Bates was basically about how I wanted to go to George Washington until I had a little talk with my parents (& then how Bates was a negation of George Washington). Yeah, if you have the urge to see either of them, Ill PM them or something, but youll be disappointed!!! The juggling essay sounds interesting; I didnt even try to make the Why Bates essay a not-Why Bates essay and just answered the question :P
Yes, chemistry was the bane of my existence my sophomore year. I cant even imagine physics. (Ill let you in on a little secret: I suck [there are no other words] at science, so I took astronomy last year and this year Im taking Applied Physics second semester.) Pre-med is definitely out of the question! But its cool that youre thinking about it.
I live in Hong Kong; I have a lot of um
climate adjusting to do before next September! Im wearing a sweater and I have a heater on, and I think it may be just about 20 Celsius out today. Youre lucky that youre basically acclimated!</p>
<p>Oh wow- you live in Hong Kong. That's awesome! I didn't know that. I actually wanted to go to China last summer- I tried to win a trip through this competitive program but didn't make it- so I went on another program to Australia. Spain was quite an experience for me... I've been to several European countries and Australia and the culture in Spain is the most vibrant I've ever seen. Spain has the stereotype of being a country of friendly extroverts. I felt that many of the people were not so friendly to me, but I think you just really have to make the effort to get to know them- and then you'll have a friend for life. There were several Spanish people I met and had a great time with- I think the language barrier often made it difficult for me. Spanish people are very conscious about their social life and frenquently engage in activities with friends, there's more to life than work. And the city, I stayed most of my time in, Sevilla, never shuts down. I remember getting back to my bed at 3:00 each morning and many Spanish people were still outside. Then again, the city closes down in the mid afternoon for Siesta. That city is sweltering hot. It's as hot as Bates is cold, if you understand my analogy. And I like the heat, but man is that city hot- so I slept in the afternoon. Where in Spain are you going- hopefully you'll get to see Granada- that's one of my favorite cities in the world. Oh and I'm taking AP Biology this year. I think that if it was required for people to know Biology to stay alive there would be about four people living in the world. It's the most detailed subject I've ever learned, and i have do do my ten thousand question Bio homework now. I'm a little nervous about the cold- I was even somewhat reluctant to apply to Maine schools at first. I do not fair well in cold weather and my friends think I'm crazy for applying to schools in Maine. But, I think it'll be fine- and Maine is a wonderful state- have you visited Bates or New York? I'll stop rambling now- I just love talking about Spain.</p>
<p>Wow, we're crazy off topic, but hey :)
Yes, I visited Bates. It was frigid and only October!! It started to snow the weekend I went up, and was generally miserable. I swear I didn't feel my toes all weekend. Some kids were walking around in flip flops and shorts though! Insane! How was your Bates visit?
I've been to New York too, a couple of times. Just Manhattan though, and a quick trip out to Long Island. Where abouts do you live in New York?
Your enthusiasm for Spain is getting me excited to go! We're visiting Sevilla, Granada and Madrid, so yes, I will see Granada.Tell me about all of your old haunts and help me look like I have insider knowledge ;)
Australia's amazing. China probably wouldn't have been that great unless you were/are studying Mandarin, so I guess it's good that you went to Oz instead. I'm thinking about going to Beijing again for another Mandarin immersion this summer (it's such a great city, minus the smog & humidity [I would carry hand wipes all over the place to wipe my face with, and they'd come away pitch black]), so yeah.
I had hons bio freshman year, and it wasn't terrible (e.g. chemistry, cough cough) but AP's got to be killer. GL with that! I have faith!</p>
<p>I visited Bates in July. It was quite hot- kind of deceptive. Actually, when I first visited Bates I was in a bad mood. We were coming from another school in Massachusetts and my parents had a fight for about three hours. But Bates was great! I live in Staten Island which is a suburb close to Manhattan. You can take a ferry from Staten Island to Manhattan which is free and takes 20 minutes. You can also drive to Manhattan which takes about 45 minutes. Staten Island isn't too famous, and most people out of New York City haven't heard of it. Yeah, if I eventually meet you, you'll eventually become sick of my travel ramblings, but I'll do a little of it now nonetheless, lol. Your going to visit amazing cities. The architecture is beautiful and they all have interesting things to do. It didn't rain once when I was their- all the fields in the countryside were dried out- but I went in the summer. I think it rains much more in the winter and spring. From the plane, Spain looks like mountaneous dirt piles, but is still manages to come off beautiful. I couldn't wait to land and experience the country by car. On the way home, I remember seeing lines of windmills dot the hills. Hopefully you'll stop at Toledo, a village near Madrid perched atop a hill, the view of it is breathtaking. I remember driving through Spain- windy arid hills of olive groves- quite a site. Australia, as you know, is awesome too. I visited this summer. I was so impressed at how vast everything was. I stayed in an Australian's kid's house for two nights and his property was huge- and I got to see kangaroos and wallabies near his door. In my opinion Spain's cities are much more interesting than Australia's cities. There is more to look at. And by the time you leave Spain, you'll be sick of all the fountains you once loved... Take note of the one in Sevilla next to La Giralda of the Cathedral, I guarentee you you'll never see a more ornate fountain. And there's Las Cibiles (don't know the exact spelling) in Madrid. Yes, so the conversation somehow got to the tangent of Spanish fountains when we were discussing Bates. Well, you'll have fun. And, what's your name?</p>
<p>Just to give an update to everyone and revisit my original questions and propositions concerning Bates' SAT optional policy. I was admitted to Bates Early Decision and now want to detract from the slightly negative comments I made about the SAT optional policy. I always loved Bates and am now obviously extremely devoted as well, but I was just very stressed at the time I made those comments so please take them with a grain of salt. Now, I am confident that the policy accepts highly qualified students from all sorts of diverse personalities and backgrounds who simply demonstrate potential. I hope this post and thread will help applicants applying to Bates in the future who are using the SAT optional policy. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions about Bates (which i'll know more about in the fall) or the SAT optional policy and I'll see if I can help answer them. And thanks for all your help everyone!</p>
<p>I second that! I was so afraid not submitting SATs would keep me out of Bates, but it didn't! So to all future applicants, take note that Bates really is true to their word! Sure, it's a little harder to get in without submitting because you have more to prove, but as long as you do prove that you're just as qualified as any other applicant, you'll have just as good a chance! It's a good idea to submit supplemental material or other testing, and make sure you wow them with your essays and interview, because they're big on that! Don't think the policy is just for minorities, athletes, and US News rankings. I don't know how it works at other schools, but Bates seems genuine. And take a look at collegeboard.com; 50% of last year's freshmen class didn't submit their scores, so not submitting them isn't a rarity, either.</p>