<p>Hi, I'm deciding if Middlebury or Georgetown is the most realistic fit for me since I've taken a lot of languages in HS. They are both BIG reaches for me from the other colleges I'm looking at (Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette, Colgate, Hamilton, Gettysburg) but I still wanted to pick a reach school for fun :}. </p>
<p>To give you a little background info. My SATs are below both of the school's mid-ranges (I got a 640M, 640V, 760W), I have a 4.1W GPA with the hardest coarseload at a really competitive HS in NJ (top 3 in the state last year). I probably rank somewhere in the top 10-20% in my HS for sure, but we don't rank so I don't know exactly. Since I know both Midd and G-town are strong in languages, my highlight is that I've completed AP French 6 AND Spanish 6 (12 years of language) and I'm pretty much fluent in both. </p>
<p>Miscellaneous-I'm White:
-I acted as a Counselor at an autistic camp, I was a CIT at a summer camp, and I've worked at a local store as a cashier
-I played Varsity Soccer
-I was a 4 year contributor to Key Club (150+ hours of service)
-I've won numerous language awards for excellence-best in my school
*Of note: I will not be applying for Financial Aid if it changes anything</p>
<p>Thanks, if you could just give me an idea of which would be a better fit and which values languages higher</p>
<p>LACs pay more attention to individual stories than universities do. I think your HS language record would have more impact at Middlebury, so I'd try there. Don't bother with Georgetown.</p>
<p>Ok, I have some fairly close knowledge of this, but who knows. My friend applied to G-town, Midd, and many other schools. He took AP Spanish and AP French, so needless to say, he loved language, and Middlebury seemed to really like that, and he just graduated there with his degree in Chinese of some kind, he always says how amazing the language program is at Middlebury and how much pride they take in it, so, take that for what it's worth.</p>
<p>Middlebury is big on languages. They have a study abroad center in China for students interested in studying the Chinese language ... and they are pretty proud of that.</p>
<p>Yeah, Middlebury also has one of the best study abroad programs around. Thing is, since it's a LAC it probably holds some weight on you having visits, info sessions and having an interview. Unfortunately, I'm just now discovering which schools would be reasonable reaches (if there is such a thing) and while I was supposed to go visit both schools, I had to cancel my appointments for each of them because family matters came up (should I write this in my application?).</p>
<p>It sounds like I'd have a better shot at Middlebury so I think I'll apply there since its on the Common App already which is a bonus. Hopefully, since I'm only applying RD in January and haven't gotten to visit or interview YET, I'm not thrown out of the pile at the outset. </p>
<p>Don't spend a lot of time worrying about reaches. Make sure that your commnication and applications with your matches are in order first.</p>
<p>Have you visited Gettysburg? If not, I'd think about doing so, as it is the only school close to safety status on your list, and technically, it's not a safety for you.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Georgetown University is pleased to announce the opening of the Center for Advanced Proficiency in Arabic (CAPA). CAPA is supported by the National Security Education Program's (NSEP) National Flagship Language Initiative. CAPA is the first intensive Arabic language program to be offered for a full academic year and in the US.
<p>reidm, I visisted Gettysburg and visited with a rep. from there at my HS. I would call it a safe match but you're right I'm a bit apprehensive about it being a true safety. I still may apply to Allegheny College, Penn St. or Rutgers as true safeties. </p>
<p>My application is pretty solid, I think. My essay got high marks from teachers at my school and my GC wrote me a good rec, as did my other teachers. I'm really thinking thoroughly about any supplement essay questions before I apply to schools, so I think my app should be pretty thorough. </p>
<p>I just figured I may want to actually use my languages as leverage somewhere that could help me get into school, and maybe give me the edge over a candidate who doesn't have anything that really sticks out (good stats, good ECs, etc. but nothing unique).</p>
<p>So my daughter was considering Gettysburg. Great school- we all have favorable impressions.</p>
<p>If you look at a collection of Naviance sites from various suburban schools you will see that their stated acceptance rate seems artificially low. </p>
<p>Visit the campus, emphasize your service background and you're in - guaranteed.</p>
<p>Yeah, Gettysburg's admission committe is pretty hands-on and really takes time to read your application. If you stress enough your want to go there, you stand a pretty good shot of admission (even though they accept rough 45% of their applicant pool).</p>