Hello CC friends (Merry Christmas!),
I just applied to William & Mary as an incoming freshman, psychology major (second preference neuroscience, third preference Latin American Studies). William & Mary is my top school, and I’m quite nervous! I’m mostly nervous that my test scores are too low. I’ve taken the SAT multiple times and can’t afford to take it any more. My scores aren’t really improving.
Here are my stats:
SAT I: 1280 (M 580, EBRW 700)
SAT II: 610 (Spanish Reading)
GPA: 3.99 UW, 4.51 W
Senior Course Work: IB Diploma candidate. IB English HL, IB Math Studies SL, IB 20th Century History HL, IB Spanish B HL, Honors Varsity Chorus, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Psychology HL, IB Chemistry SL
Residency: Virginia
Extracurriculars: You Matter Blogger Council (Suicide Prevention Lifeline), 7 Cups of Tea Listener, Varsity Swimming Captain (senior year), JV Field Hockey Captain (sophomore and junior year), Leaders Club President
Recommendations: I got one from my history teacher and one from my psych teacher. My counselor and I are quite close, so I think the recommendations are pretty good.
Essays: I wrote my common app essay about something very important to me (mental health) and my optional essay about my research about Parkinson’s disease and my hope to study it in college.
I know you can’t estimate my chances. I have heard that my low test scores aren’t THAT low and my GPA can compensate, but I don’t want to be disappointed in April.
Thanks!
-brainscistudent (W&M hopeful 
)
Wow!
Um… yeah. Sure my test scores were higher, but overall you seem like a very well-rounded and accomplished student. I had a significantly lower GPA coming out of high school (Weighted 4.11) and was still admitted to W&M… as a Monroe scholar! Of course no list of accomplishments matches reading your full application package and I’m definitely not an admissions officer, but again… wow. If you wrote strong essays I would definitely expect good news in the spring! Best of luck!
This one is a toss up and I have no idea, but I just wanted say “wow” to the work that you have done as a blogger and as a listener for the 7 Cups of Tea organization.It’s an important issue to me as well. One of my residents from last year introduced me to the app and I personally think it is great that you’re doing that and would love to chat about your experiences sometime. If you make it in, I do recommend you check out the Active Minds Club (which recently did an amazing interview series regarding mental health on its facebook page), HOPE, and the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) which is a team that last year placed #1 in the world from W&M.
You may also want to look into taking some kineseology or neuroscience courses here if you end up coming to W&M. Professor Ray McCoy is your go to man if you are interested in doing research regarding Parkinson’s while you are here. Of course I may be putting the cart in front of the horse, but I do hope you get in.
Best of luck!
@shawnspencer That’s great, thank you so much! Yes, I believe W&M is a good fit for my academic goals. It’s great to hear that I can pursue research on Parkinson’s. I hope I get in, but if I do not, I know I will have opportunities elsewhere.
@crimswell Yeah, my test scores are the only thing that make me nervous. I’ll definitely update this thread with my results in the spring. Thanks for your encouragement!
Are you Latin American? If so, you will be accepted without a doubt.
If not, then there is a strong possibility of being rejected if this SAT is the new version.