Public High School, Class of 2018
Wants to major in Bio
pre-med
Family immigrate to the US in 2014 due to sibling’s health reasons
GPA w 4.05
uw 3.7
Junior year Classes:
AP Stats
AP Chem
AP English Lang
AP Calc BC
French 4
USH
Senior Year Classes:
AP French
AP Comp Sci
AP BIO
Multivariable Calc
Human Bio
English 4
SAT 1400 (Math 760 verbal 640) will take it again
EC:
Class President (Junior Year)
Science Olympiad Team Captain (Junior, senior)
Hospital Volunteering (2 years )
Intern at Stanford Otolaryngology Laboratory
Started non-profit Organization
Interned at the National Foundation for Cancer Research (this past summer)
Interned at Harvard Dr. Patricia Donahoe’s Lab
Collaborated with district fire department on projects
Could some one please “chance me”? I really really love Wellesley and will definitely apply ED
Please let me know the possibilities. I know that Wellesley is very competitive and my scores are not amazing. But I really hope that they could see me as someone who is more than the scores on the transcript. Does anyone want to comment on anything? Chances of getting into Wellesley? Directions to improve toward as a senior?
You have good grades, taking a challenging courseload, good scores, and great EC’s. Wellesley will be lucky to have you. Has your high school sent others to Wellesley with similar stats in the past?
If you are from an under-represented minority group, you’re a shoe-in. Regardless, I still think you’re likely.
I think you have a good shot. You’re taking challenging classes, and your extracurriculars look good. Make sure you request an interview before the deadline!
If you apply ED, I think it’s probably a Target for you. (If your SATs were slightly higher, a strong Target.) If you apply RD, it’s probably a low Reach. Good luck!
@3puppies Thank you so much for the reply. Unfortunately, I am not representing a minority group (in fact, I am Chinese), so that will not help me as much if not hurting my overall stats (bc Asians are stereotypically good at academics, and sadly I am one of the Asians who falls out of the stereotype).
The last time that Wellesley admits someone from my school was 2014. I don’t know if this is a good sign or not.
I would really emphasize your leadership qualities and extracurriculars. If you can show you have a passion without actually saying you’re passionate about it, that could be strong.
The thing is that everyone at Wellesley is exceptional and the coursework is extremely rigorous. There’s a running joke that if you want an easy class, crossregister at MIT.
That being said, you have some impressive extracurriculars, but I don’t know anyone at Wellesley who didn’t do something really cool in high school. Your grades are pretty much average, as is your SAT score (might I recommend taking the ACT?) So I think you would fit in as well as anyone, but we have a lot of premed students here, so having a hook -something unique to you- would really help your chances.
Remember to contact Wellesley Admissions every once in a while with a question in order to demonstrate interest. If you can visit, visit. And applying ED would help your chances quite a bit.
I concur with @CapybaraQueen. Additionally, I recently had a discussion with the Dean of Admissions. She shared that the admissions committee rejects many extremely high-performing applicants because they just weren’t a “fit”…meaning that they didn’t see the student thriving in the Wellesley environment. So as you prepare, be introspective about why Wellesley would be a fit for you and be sure to convey that in your application.
@CapybaraQueen Thank you so so much for the comment! I think I definitely got a better idea of the academic environment of Wellesley after reading your comment. For that “hook” that you mentioned, it does not have to be academic or EC related, does it? Since almost everyone applying will be very competitive anyway, would it be better to show them some unique characteristics of my personalities and interests like that (for example, very caring and love to help the others)? Or is that too off-topic/extra?
@magtf1 I have heard of rumors (or maybe truth?) of how everyone in Wellesley is feminist and how Wellesley only like feminists, is that the “fit” that you mentioned in your comment? Or are there certain types of women Wellesley like in particular?
@Caligirl2333 Yes, of course, the vast majority of Wellesley students would identify as feminists. The first question to answer is do YOU see yourself as a fit for Wellesley?
Have you visited campus / taken a tour / had an interview yet (http://www.wellesley.edu/admission/visitus)? That’s a great way to meet Wellesley students and see if you feel at home.
Have you watched the Wellesley video “This is the Place”? https://youtu.be/oiRzIlZUlmE
Listen to those women. Does that it feel like that’s where you belong?
See if there’s a Wellesley alumnae chapter in your area (http://www.wellesley.edu/alumnae/groups/clubs). They usually hold info sessions for prospective students. Also I’m sure some alumnae would meet you for coffee so you could learn more.
Keep researching, Wellesley might be the perfect place for you, but it’s not the best place for everybody.
@magtf1 Thank you so much! I watched the video and it was super inspiring. I actually visited Wellesley this summer and I LOVED IT! I am certain that I really like it there and I hope that I will get in. Thanks for your help!
I am sorry to hear this, and a little surprised, because to me it looks like you are a very strong candidate who will do well wherever you end up. Best of luck to you!
Hey I’m Chinese too whose also applying for Wellesley. I came to the US in 2014 as well… I was wondering how you got all these great internship opportunities because that was a problem for me.
I didn’t take as many AP classes as you did junior year because I transferred from a public school to a private one and the transcript didn’t quite work out with the requirements. I sort of explained that on my application, but I think that’s still going to affect my chances of acceptance.
Anyways, I just want to point out how awesome it is that you are being yourself by doing so many wonderful things. I understand how hard it is to break that Asian stereotype… But you did it! Congrats and best wishes.
