What Are My Chances of Getting In?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Colgate University
1

m applying to schools in the Fall and I have quite the lengthy list, however I’m unsure about my chances for most of the schools…so please, if anyone has any insight that can help me decide if I should even bother applying, it would be VERY much appreciated

MY BACKGROUND:

GPA (the highest you can get at my school is a 4.0 even with ap
s ) : 3.0

ACT: 32 (I’m retaking it in a month, hopefully getting it up to a 34)

AP CLASSES TAKEN:
AP English 11
Ap English 12
AP Macroeconomics
AP Microeconomics
AP Government
AP Computer Science
AP Biology
AP Psychology

EXTRA CURRICULAR:

  • President of 4 different organizations
  • DECA Officer
  • Volunteering (church, homeless shelter, elderly homes, etc)
  • Sunday School Teacher
  • Stage Manager for Theater
  • Sales Associate at local shop
  • Girls State

AWARDS:

  • Deca District Champion
  • Deca State FInalist
  • Economics Award of Excellence

LETTERS OF REC:
I have 2 teachers, government employees (connections I made through Girls State), and a college professor that have offered to write me a letter of rec

EXTRA:

  • I lived Abroad for 4 years
  • I speak 3 languages

LOW GPA EXPLANATION (which I will also include on my Common App): All through out my freshman and sophomore years of high school I struggled with severe depression and an eating disorder. Consequentially, it affected my school work, I was almost incapable of going to school in the morning, let alone do my homework and study for tests. However, halfway through my junior year I was able to pull myself out of it and I got my grades in check. I currently have a 4.0 semester gpa, and plan to continue this trend for the rest of high school.

*I’m hoping that with an explanation of why I did so poorly the first two years, along with my [hopefully] flawless junior and senior year grades and my high ACT score, will show the admissions officers that I am more than capable and was able to overcome my past struggles.

2

Itd be tough for me to say with any certainty what your chances are because i have no idea how colleges take into account GPA explanations. I will say that Colgate is very compassionate when it comes to eating disorders and its really been a big focus of the campus to bring greater help and understanding to the issue, so I definitely think theyll at least hear out your explanation.

Other than that, you have all the classic signs of an intelligent capable student, who simply faced additional challenges. Getting your ACT up to a 34, I think would really help you, since right now you are solidly mid 50% of scores. Generally, i argue for the depth over breadth policy with ECs, but considering how involved Colgate students are, your 4 presidential terms on various clubs after overcoming challenges will probably impress.

So, i really cant give you a definite answer. My recommendation would be to find a school you really like (whether its Colgate or not) and apply ED. I think it will really show your resolve to attend an elite school, and it can only help admissions chances! Best of luck!

3

Be sure that it’s very clear that the eating disorder and depression are cleared up. Schools want to make sure it won’t be an issue with the stress of heading off to college.