<p>I'm applying to Vassar ED I this fall. I think my stats are pretty good, but my lack of impressive ECs may be a dealbreaker.</p>
<p>Caucasian female (also lowers my chances...)</p>
<p>School: Rigorous, small, private prep school. As my username (lovingly) implies, they don't offer APs, which can be off-putting, but each class is at Honors/AP level, and, supposedly, colleges and universities are aware of that. (Some students choose to study extra and take AP tests.) They have a very good track record of getting students into highly selective colleges.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.95 (unweighted, as I can't take APs)
My freshman year was the weakest. Without it, I would probably have a 4.0.
I should be within the top 5-10% of my grade, but my school doesn't do rankings.
I'm taking the most challenging courseload offered at my school.</p>
<p>Scores: SAT-- composite: 2270
CR: 800
Verbal: 780
Math: 690
Essay Subscore: 9</p>
<p>I took the ACT twice and got a 31 for the composite both times. I guess it's just not my test!</p>
<p>Subject Tests-- Chem: 680
Lit: 680
Bio: 740
US History: 740</p>
<p>AP (I took this because I thought it might look good)-- Literature: 5</p>
<p>Awards (my school gives out very very few academic awards): Achievement in US History
JCW Writing Award (Annual competition for creative writing. I won money.)</p>
<p>Essay: Should be strong. I lived abroad for five years and moved back the summer before my sophomore year, so I'm (probably) writing about transitioning back into life in the States.</p>
<p>Recs: I'm assuming they'll be great, but who's won't be in this crazy-competitive applicant pool?</p>
<p>ECs: Varsity Softball (all four years)
Varsity Cross Country (junior and senior years)
Been in three drama productions in high school (so far...)
Volunteered >250 hours at local aquarium, plus I was selected to do a special weekly lab shift (it's pretty competitive)
NHS Officer
Spanish Honor Society
Amnesty International Officer
Member of school's volunteering club
Host monthly movie nights at local Ronald McDonald House
350-400 hours total CS</p>
<p>Summer activities:
Sophomore: "Explo" camp @ Yale
Junior: Sea Education Association Science at Sea Summer Session, completed with High Honors (Intensive marine science camp. We took classes for ten days then lived on a research sailing vessel for eight days. It was awesome.)
Senior: Lots of volunteering & babysitting</p>
<p>Other stuff: I don't need financial aid.
I lived in Europe from grades 5 to 9, so that's... something. I realize it would be more advantageous if I'd graduated internationally, but obviously, that won't happen.
I'm most interested in chemistry and biology. I know Vassar is strong in the humanities, so maybe being a science student would be helpful.</p>
<p>Let me know if I need to add anything to this already substantial list! Any responses are appreciated.</p>