Will I get in to Holy Cross ED? (Will chance back!)

Colleges and Universities A-Z College of the Holy Cross
1

Hi guys,

So Holy Cross (in MA) has been my dream school for quite some time now. Their medical program is outstanding, and I would be honored to get accepted in the future.

I am currently a Junior and planning to apply ED to Holy Cross this December. I am also planning to major in Biochemistry while going through a pre-med track.

Current GPA (UW): 3.75

Class Rank: 2/65 (Top 5%)

Estimated SAT Score (based on multiple practice tests; will take in May): 1920 (600 CR 640 M 680 W)

SCHEDULE:

9th Grade:
Honors English Literature and Composition- 85 (B)
Spanish Level IV- 94 (A)
Geometry- 93 (A)
United States History I- 90 (A-)
Honors Biology- 93 (A)
Environmental Science- 93 (A)

10th Grade: No APs offered for sophomores
Honors American Literature and Composition- 95 (A)
Spanish Level 5- 89 (B+)
Algebra II- 96 (A)
United States History II- 93 (A)
Honors/Pre-AP Chemistry- 92 (A-)
Forensic Science- 95 (A)

11th Grade (With first trimester grades)
AP English Language and Composition- 88 (B+)
Honors Spanish Conversation and Composition- 94 (A)
Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry- 98 (A+)
Philosophy- 99 (A+)
AP Biology- 91 (A-)
Anatomy and Physiology- 96 (A)

12th Grade (Planning to take)
AP English Literature and Composition
Honors Spanish Practicum
AP Calculus BC
AP United States History
AP Physics 1: Algebra Based
AP Environmental Science

Awards:
-Honor roll every single term in high school (Requires at least a 3.6 GPA with nothing below an 85 average)
-Excellence in Environmental Science, 9th Grade
-Local Hospital Outstanding Voluntary Service Award

Extracurriculars:
-Lead Hymn instructor at Church for Kindergarten children: I teach them the unique Coptic language along with hymns and songs. My class is planning to go to a national competition in New York next September. I also plan the curriculum, have assessments, and teach it to the kids accordingly.

-Volunteer at local hospital; Student-Patient Liaison (25 hours so far, this will increase)

-NHS member & tutor; I tutor mainly Math (Algebra & Calculus), Science (Chemistry, Biology) and English. I also organize who comes for tutoring and who should not be recommended for it (if needed) (70+ volunteer hours in school through NHS)

-Traveled to a monastery in CA to serve and volunteer with Monks

-SADD club (Students Against Destructive Decisions)

-eBay top rated seller, selling for 4 years

Thanks for reading, and if you want me to chance back I will be glad to do so. If you don’t mind, tell me what I could improve on (and don’t sugarcoat it!) :smiley:

2

I think you have a great chance of getting into HC! Your grades/GPA are really good. I know that colleges want students who have a passion for something so just make clear what your interests are through your essays and maybe dedicate most of your time to your favorite extracurriculars. Keep up your grades during senior year because HC highly values senior transcripts (but at the rate you’re going, I’m sure you’ll be fine :smile:

3

@WiseSimpleton‌ Thank you so much!! Just curious, are you currently attending HC? You seem very knowledgeable about the school

4

I applied RD and am waiting to hear back this month; however, one of my good friends applied ED and loves HC so far. Btw, I recommend having an interview with an alumnus or admissions officer when the time comes. I had to have a Skype interview due to the fact that I live on the west coast and I wasn’t able to visit at the time. Sometimes it takes a long time for admin to organize the interviews through email so try to stay in contact with them. Also, make sure you look at every email from HC after you send in your app because this year they sent an optional supplementary question asking “Why do you want to attend HC?”

5

@WiseSimpleton‌ That’s great advice, thank you again. I never knew that they recommended supplementary essays or valued Senior transcripts more! Looks like I should hire you to be my official HC tutor :disagree:

I wish you the best of luck, I’m sure you’ll get in! Be sure to tell me as soon as you find out :slight_smile:

Last thing before I stop bothering you, do you mind posting your stats so I could see where I stand?

6

Hey! Sorry for the late response but i got into HC!! :smiley: My stats are kind of low so I’m surprised I got in.

GPA: 3.57 unweighted
SAT: 1930 (1240 CR + M)
AP course load: AP Lang, AP Euro, AP Environmental Science, AP Art, AP Psych
Senior course load: AP Lit, AP Art, Honors Physics, Calculus, Vietnam Era, Government

Let me know if you have any questions throughout the year! Would be happy to help.

7

@WiseSimpleton‌ Congrats!!! That’s great news. Did you have any ECs that interested the adcoms? I’m worried that my ECs aren’t enough or are too boring.

Again, congrats :smiley:

8

Thank you! My EC’s were mainly centered around my biggest interests: art, volleyball, and community service. I have been taking art lessons since forever, interning and volunteering at art galleries. I played school and club volleyball. I was an active member of my school’s environmental club and I volunteer every week at the local down syndrome connection center.

As you can probably tell, my stats and extracurriculars aren’t anything out of the ordinary. After reading about so many students with 4.0 gpa’s and 2200 SATs getting rejected, I think that the key things that got me accepted were my essay and my strong interest in HC. Interviews, emails, online chats, etc. are all very important in displaying your passion for HC. I remember that I mentioned HC’s montserrat program in my interview and my interviewer’s face lit up. I think that you have a more than excellent chance of getting into HC if you apply ED, but I also think that I’m proof that it’s still possible to get accepted if you apply RD. My best advice is to keep on doing what you’re doing, not to impress, but to show your genuine interest in learning and growing as a person.

9

I think that you have a competitive chance at Holy Cross. A few things that you can do to seal the deal would be to win some more awards and pick up that SAT score a tad. Otherwise you should be set!

Chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1771637-hypsm-chance-a-junior.html

10

You have a strong chance for sure. Remember it is test optional so only submit those scores if you’re confident.

Here are my stats please chance:
GPA: Should be a 3.82
Will have strong recommendations
National Honors Society
4 years of business club
Stock Market Cub (My interest in business)
Interact Club (got very involved with the community service).
National Business Honors Society senior year (only year you can participate)
SNAP mentor (meet once a week with special needs kids)
Freshman Year Baseball
Sophomore-Senior year Golf (junior and senior year captain)
Rowed Crew Junior year (not sure if I will try rowing at HC)
Volunteer at food pantry (8 years)
Eucharistic Minister
Volunteer to help assist CCD class
Went to Appalachia 2 years for a week each
Camp Counselor in Summer
Worked year round at an ice cream shop
Uncle attended HC
I showed/showing interest: Visited twice already, online chat, will interview, will attend July open house
Thanks!