<p>I know U of Chicago really looks for unique, creative students who write off-the-wall essays with the Uncommon app. What does Wellesley look for? Just an all-around student? There's a lack of info on the CC boards about Wellesley compared to the threads about other colleges...</p>
<p>Hmmm...that's a good question, and I don't know if Wellesley has as much of a type as a school like U of C (although I will note that in my experience, "type" is an overrated concept. Unless you look like you really will not fit in at a school, having a strong academic and testing record ALWAYS takes you further than being the right type...I know some very smart but very non-creative, not especially unique kids who got into U of C). I think that Wellesley has such a self-selected applicant pool that people kind of already are the right type when they apply. </p>
<p>What I noticed when I applied is that if you look at the statistics they publish on their website, high SAT scores are still a big push. I don't want to overstate things too much, because I am sure that they evaluate everyone fairly, but by their own admission when it comes right down to it, students in the class of 2010 who scored over 750 on the writing or verbal portions of the SAT enjoyed a 70% acceptance rate. Students who scored over 700 in any of the three categories enjoyed at least a 55% acceptance rate. Clearly, scoring over a 2100 (or even better, over a 2250) really maximizes your chances at Wellesley. Of course, at least 30% of the kids who scored over 750 in any one section were NOT accepted, but that's still a huge advantage. </p>
<p>Comparatively, at Brown (where I also applied, and was waitlisted), which is certainly more selective than Wellesley but is not, in my opinion, any better of a school, scoring over 750 in any one section of the SAT only affords you a 25% acceptance rate. Still better than the base 13 or 14% acceptance rate, but obviously not nearly as good as 70%. FWIW.</p>
<p>i see what you're saying about the SAT scores. My score is okay, but my verbal subscore is the lowest, and yes, that does concern me. If you don't mind my asking, what did you make advantagious?
hmm, and also, what do you think about students' ec's? Does Wellesley really look for leaders? I know they like to talk about the "future female leaders" graduating from Wellesley and whatnot...
btw, thanks advantagious for all your advice and tips so far. It seems like you're the only active member in the Wellesley forum lol..</p>
<p>Well, I have already graduated and now have nothing to do! I had a superscored 2290 on the SAT, broken down into 800 CR/780 M/710 WR (my achilles heel! Still a good score, of course). Obviously, this made me feel pretty good about my chances at Wellesley, but of course I didn't pencil anything in. </p>
<p>Re: Extras: I had unspectacular extracurriculars, at least for elite schools. The only things that I was a leader in were the German Club (Pres. 10, VP/Treas 11), and Wind Ensemble, where I served as the "captain" of the clarinet choir. Neither of these were particularly impressive positions. I'm not sure how good of an example I am, however, because even with average or below average extracurriculars, I had good enough academic and personal characteristics to be waitlisted at two very selective schools (Brown and Columbia), so...keep that in mind. </p>
<p>If you're looking for another way to make your application stand out to Wellesley, really do a great job on the "Why Wellesley?" short essay prompt that they have on their supplement. I think mine helped my application because it quietly showed that I had done research, visited the campus, and put some thought into a few specific things that I found special about Wellesley. </p>
<p>Finally, I believe that you are also considering the University of Chicago? If you can't commit to Wellesley for ED next fall, I would strongly urge you to apply at U of C EA and at Wellesley Early Evaluation. I applied EE, and it was great, because I found out in late February that I was accepted and I knew that if it didn't work out at my reach schools (and it didn't...those schools had a RD acceptance rate of about 8%), I had already gained entrance into my "next-best" (and I mean that very positively! :)) option on the list. EE is a wonderful option.</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear that you, advantagious, think SATs are important to Wellesley, because that's probably my biggest strength! Also, I'm glad you don't have to be some super-human to get accepted (though that's certainly not to say their standards are low!). </p>
<p>However, I think the high correlation between SAT scores and acceptance might have something to do with the fact that, for the most part, people with high SATs also have high GPAs and are more academically driven. It's really impossible to know from the info on Wellesley's website, but I'd be willing to bet that the majority of the people with really high SATs also had really high GPAs, while the majority of people with low SATs also had low GPAs and such, and were therefore denied.</p>
<p>From what I've heard from Wellesley, the "whole package" seems really important. You don't necessarily have to be stellar in any one section, but you have to be solid in every section.</p>
<p>My impression, based on what I've seen and what I know of myself, is that Wellesley makes an effort to consider everything in that package. I cannot cite the source exactly (I think it was on the DVD) that they consider what the student has to say about themselves and what others think of them. A strong recommendation can go a long way. I'd also like to agree with advantagious that my Why Wellesley essay was specific in how their philosophies and goals intersected with my own. This was most likely helpful to my case.</p>
<p>I had a 3.5uw/3.7w when I applied, so I focused my energy into the essays. I will say that a high SAT score will help, conveying yourself well will help, and showing involvement will help. I feel like despite my relatively low GPA, the other portions of my package did not go to waste and were not overlooked (likely candidate/eventually accepted) which is much more than I can say for more stats driven schools. If I can communicate anything, it is that there is always hope and that Wellesley probably is an example of a place that considers the person and not the numbers.</p>
<p>Certainly I agree Menagerie. There is no way to tell from the stats that they post how strong each applicant was all-around, and there were plenty of kids accepted from below the 700 mark in any one section. My point was just that if you have high SAT scores--and especially if they are high all around--you are in good position at Wellesley. </p>
<p>I have much more indirect proof, but I also believe that Wellesley was impressed by me as a person as well. When I look at the schools that I was waitlisted at, it is apparent to me that I must have had some strong personal characteristics, because as high as my SAT scores and my class rank were, neither was perfect and my extras were quite average. Coupled with the fact that I come from a HS that these schools have no allegiance to (I was not waitlisted to keep my HS happy), and I think that my personal characteristics did play a role. Just my speculation, of course.</p>
<p>in my opinion, the essay is really important. wellesley likes to look for multiculturally aware students and students who are willing to take initiative. in the end, personality probably wins over statistics, although having good stats wouldn't harm you either.</p>
<p>The Chicagoan and Wellesley-lover chiming in...</p>
<p>... it would be a mistake to think that Chicago ONLY cares about "off-the-wall" essays, and your essay is important, insofar as that it gives the admissions office insight into the way you think. Chicago cares, much about the way you think, and I know many students who used their common app essay for the uncommon app and got in, because it was solid enough to give the admissions office insight into who they were. They of course also care that you're ready and willing to do the work, as evidenced by your transcript, etc. </p>
<p>I imagine that Wellesley, or any school, really, cares about that too. The Wellesley students I know are all accomplished (not on a superhuman scale, but quite talented nonetheless), good, serious students who enjoy themselves and learning. I also know a lot of students who ended up deciding between Wellesley and Chicago, so I imagine the schools attract similar kinds of people.</p>
<p>I just wanted to let you guys know that you shouldn't stress over getting perfect scores and whatnot. I go to Wellesley, and I definitely didn't get the kind of scores that have been posted on this thread so far. I can't speak for the admissions office, but I can speak to my own experience. I think that Wellesley is looking for passion. Passion often manifests itself in excellence and leadership, which is where the push for leadership positions and high scores or grades comes from. For example, I am passionate about Shakespeare, so I did well on the literature SAT II, I wrote my essay on a theatre camp with a focus on Shakespeare, I told of my leadership position in that camp, had high English grades, etc. My advice is to do well in what you love and be persistent. I was deferred to regular admission so I wrote a letter to the admissions office about why I wanted to go to Wellesley and all I had done since I last applied. You don't have to be perfect. We aren't. Chill, and excell in what you love.</p>
<p>I agree with a lot of what advantagious has written. Many, if not most, applicants to Wellesley are self-selected, students who appreciate Wellesley's unique opportunities and who would like to be a part of this particular community. There definitely is no check list "type" of student that Wellesley is looking for.</p>
<p>Other people's comments about concentrating on your essay are spot on. I'd advise you to write about what makes you uniquely you. I know, cliche. However, if you assume that most other applicants are also great students with great EC's, then the essay is the one place where you can show yourself to Admissions as something besides a number and a list. Its been my experience that Wellesley really does look at the student as a whole, and this is where the essay is so important. I'd say positive recs play an important part as well. Not recs from teachers where you merely did well, but someone who can talk about you specifically as a learner and scholar, regardless of how you did in that particular class.</p>
<p>I graduated a few years ago, but I can't imagine things have changed so dramatically.</p>
<p>Good luck with everything.</p>
<p>Just a general comment, certainly as Ambrose said, pick teachers who can speak in depth about your work, accomplishments, and personality. This won't necessarily be the ones who gave you A's. </p>
<p>Some people advise picking teachers of different subjects to show a well roundedness, but don't force yourself to pick a teacher because of it. My recs came from two English teachers, which isn't even my best subject, only because they knew much more about me than my other teachers. It won't hurt you unless a school requires a certain teacher's commentary for the major your applying for.</p>
<p>Along with the already mentioned scores, grades, extracurriculars, and such, I would say demonstrated interest in the school is a huge deal at Wellesley. Visit the campus, do a great job on the Why Wellesley supplement, and, most importantly, make sure your personality really does mesh with the school. It's not your average college, but if you love it, it will show in your application and, consequently, in your admissions offer.</p>
<p>Oh and when I visited for the Junior Open Campus last year, they told me that they really like interesting essays. Don't just use it to summarize your accomplishments. If you approach it in a unique way, you can answer the question without making the reader want to slam his head against the table for enduring another essay about the influence of one's grandmother (which, by the way, was my topic, but I wrote it narrative style with lots of vivid details and commentary about one dinner with her and I was accepted).</p>
<p>i was a ee likely with very low sat scores m570 v630 w570
but everything else was solid ... 4th in my class, 3.9 GPA, VP of NHS,
CHIEF EDITOR OF KEY CLub and very good essay and recommendations</p>
<p>How is Wellesley's science department, especially chemistry and physics?</p>
<p>i have a 800 math, 700 W, and 580 CR-- which will be my downfall for every college i apply to - watch</p>