Will Oberlin take me seriously?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hi, everybody! I hope you are all doing well (especially all you seniors out there! It's a busy time!!). I already posted a "Chances at Oberlin" thread before, but now that I have all my stats in, AND have already sent in my early decision app, I'm just wondering what you guys think. I'm scared that Oberlin won't take me seriously because I'm from a high school that's one of the top in the nation, whose students don't usually apply to liberal arts colleges. (Will they think I'm applying there just as a "safety"?) (Everyone at my school is like MUST GO TO HARVARD PRINCETON YALE STANFORD. I'm serious, it's so cutthroat.) Anyway, I'm very passionate about going to Oberlin because I want to major in music and science. And I think a liberal arts environment is very suitable for me. </p>

<p>Just to help you guys out in examining my situation, here are some Oberlin facts I snatched off Collegeboard and also some that I heard first hand from an Oberlin Admissions Officer. </p>

<p>Last year's Early Decision Acceptance Rate: 68%
This year's number of Early Decision Applicants: 200</p>

<p>Admission Requirements:
SAT I or ACT with writing
SAT II is RECOMMENDED</p>

<p>VERY IMPORTANT Admission Factors:
Alumni relation (of which I have none)
Class Rank (I'm top 20%)
Rigor of secondary school record (Mine is all right, I think)
Standardized test scores</p>

<p>IMPORTANT Admission Factors:
Character/Personal qualities
Application essay
Extracurricular activities
Recommendations
Talent/Ability</p>

<p>CONSIDERED Admission Factors:
Geographical residence
Interview (Mine went very well)
Racial/Ethnic status
State Residency
Volunteer Work
Work Experience</p>

<p>My Oberlin supplement essay is okay, I think. There were a LOT of things I wanted to say, but they asked for only a "brief" statement... so, I'm not sure if ~500 words is considered brief.</p>

<p>My Common App long essay is pretty good, but my short essay could've been better. It's hard to make a 150 word essay sound good. I've never been that good at articulating myself, anyway. </p>

<p>About teacher recommendations... I don't know how they are going to turn out. I'm not like, the absolute best student in the world. I am sometimes disruptive in class (and I EAT in class all the time...). Well, I exhibit a desire to learn, I guess. </p>

<p>I am also applying to the Conservatory and I am 100% sure my music teacher recommendations will be excellent. </p>

<p>Here are my stats...</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 UW (not sure what it is weighted)</p>

<p>My senior year class load: AP Calc BC, AP Biology, AP English, AP Economics/AP US Government, AP French 5, Lab Assistant (Might I add that my senior year GPA is pretty... bad (so far) LOL. I can't handle all the AP's, but I'm hoping they'll commend me for taking a hard course load.)</p>

<p>AP's & Honors Taken: Chemistry Honors, Precalculus Honors, American Lit Writing Honors, French 4 Honors, Chemistry AP</p>

<p>AP Tests: English Language and Composition (4), Chemistry (2) <-- heh </p>

<p>SAT I: 640CR, 690M, 700W (with 9 on the essay)
2nd time: 680CR, 690M, 760W (with 10 on the essay)</p>

<p>SAT II: Math IIC (730), Chemistry (710)
2nd time: Math IIC (740), Chemistry (720)</p>

<p>School Clubs:
Appassionato Music Club (President and Founder)
Future Business Leaders of America
California Scholarship Federation
Team Tennis
Robotics Team
French National Honor Society
Food for All Club (Secretary, Webmaster)</p>

<p>Outside of School Activities:
Chinese school (11 years)
Violin lessons (11 years)
Piano lessons (4 years)
Internship at Stanford University
Youth Orchestra (Assistant Concertmaster)
String Quartet</p>

<p>Volunteering:
Santa Clara County Youth Court (jurymember and attorney)
Stanford University Hospital Gift Shop (Captain of Shift)
Tech Museum of Innovation (Award for Exemplary Service)</p>

<p>"Academic" Awards:
Multiple first place public speaking awards from Chinese school
Future Business Leaders of America National Finalist for Introduction to Business Communications Competition
Semifinalist, Bay Area Science Wondercup Challenge</p>

<p>Musical Awards:
First place, Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) State Ensemble Competition
Second place, MTAC State Solo Competition
First place, Menuhin-Dowling Violin Competition
Achieved Certificate of Merit at Panel level
Received a full scholarship (based on talent) to a music festival in Mendocino called the Mendocino Music Festival
First place, California Association of Professional Music Teachers Ensemble Competition
Violin masterclasses with members of the Music@Menlo festival, Jung-Min Amy Lee, Amy Hiraga, and Geraldine Walther
Other things... </p>

<p>Sorry this thread is really long. :( I'm just a fairly unconfident student who seeks the truth about admissions! :)</p>

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<p>Your stats are good, but not so good that Oberlin will think their your safety. You should get in, but of course, you never know. Your essays could play a big part.</p>

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<p>if ur applying ed, of course they'll take u seriously....what a silly question. good luck tho!</p>

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<p>Btw, how do you guys know if your teacher recommendations are "great"? Do your teachers let you read them or something?</p>

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<p>They usually don't let you read them. =/ I know it sucks. I wish I could see my recs... But anyway, if you're auditioning for Oberlin, the main thing should be your audition.</p>

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<p>By applying ED, you're telling them that Oberlin is your top choice. My guess- you'll get in.</p>

<p>BTW, why not apply to some ivies as well? Are you in love with Oberlin? Because I think you have a decent shot at some top-notch schools.</p>

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<p>Yea, I really love Oberlin. Its Music Conservatory is one of the nation's best, and I would also like to major in a science. </p>

<p>I don't think I have a shot at the Ivies. At school, I feel REALLY dumb compared to all my peers who are applying to HYPS, and I don't think I'm qualified. I hardly think I'm qualified for Oberlin and they have a 68% admittance rate (Their non-admittance rate is HIGHER than Stanford's admittance rate!). If I don't get into Oberlin ED, I am applying to Yale, Cornell, JHU, USC, and Northwestern RD. </p>

<p>BTW, Happy Thanksgiving, if you are in the U.S.!!</p>

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<p>Rainman,</p>

<p>I missed this thread earlier. I have a daughter studying double bass at Oberlin Conservatory. She is also interested in double majoring in either math or physics.</p>

<p>There are three ways to get into the double major program at Oberlin. The first is the way you appear to be going about it - separate applications to the college and conservatory. The second is to get accepted only at the conservatory then ask to double major once you get there. The third is to do the same, but starting in the college only.</p>

<p>I have spoken with the admissions office about transferring into the double major program from the conservatory. They told me that it is very easy. All you have to do is take two elective courses in the college (which you would do as part of the conservatory curriculum anyway) and have the teachers of those courses fill out a recommendation form that you get from the admissions office. As long as you are passing your classes in the Con and get the two recommendations, admission is pretty much automatic. It is a lot harder to get into the double major from the college side, because you have to compete in auditions with everyone else for a spot in the conservatory.</p>

<p>My point is that you don't need to worry too much about whether you get accepted by the college in the ED or RD rounds. The important acceptance is to the conservatory. If you get in there, you should have no problem getting into the double major program. </p>

<p>Are you auditioning this coming week? If so, you should know one way or the other within a few weeks. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Mathwiz: Oberlin IS a "top-notch college."</p>

<p>Therainman: Note that Oberlin's overall admit rate is 38% (not 68%). I think you have a good shot at ED. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Hi, Dave72,</p>

<p>Oberlin's RD admittance rate is 38%, but last year's ED admittance rate was 68%, at least according to the Admissions Director for the Western Region. </p>

<p>Early decision comes out in 12 days. I'm nervous.</p>

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<p>FBLA nationals is veery impressive! Were you first place?</p>

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<p>Hello, BassDad,</p>

<p>Thank you for such an informative reply! Unfortunately, I think getting into the Conservatory will be a bit of a stretch for me. I am merely a "good" violinist, not someone people would consider "fantastic" or anything of the sort. My mentors and teachers and say I have great potential, and I'm striving towards exceeding that potential (hopefully by attending the Conservatory). :)</p>

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<p>Dear venus.ajar,</p>

<p>No, I was around top 20. :( So, no trophy hahaha, but I walked away from the conference with at least some pride ;)</p>

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<p>yay! well, i didn't even get into top ten at states for public speaking! so you should be proud of yourself for making nationals..
and oh my god.. chinese people = violin and piano (haha, same here)
but good job on your awards! you have a lot of impressive music stuff..did you do districts/regionals/states?</p>

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<p>Are you from California, venus.ajar? </p>

<p>Anyway, I was really lucky to win at States and be able to go to Nationals. It was really unexpected. </p>

<p>My parents never let me do district/regional/states. Oh well. :( </p>

<p>yay! well, i didn't even get into top ten at states for public speaking! so you should be proud of yourself for making nationals..
and oh my god.. chinese people = violin and piano (haha, same here)
but good job on your awards! you have a lot of impressive music stuff..did you do districts/regionals/states?</p>

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<p>my sister won 3rd place at nationals for intro to business comm...the conference in dallas a few years ago...</p>

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<p>Thanks for all your messages, everyone. I got my acceptance letter in the mail today. :) I'm so shocked/happy/numb/excited!!!! Does this mean I can totally forget about senior year!?!?!?!</p>

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<p>Rainman,</p>

<p>Congratulations. College, Con or both?</p>

<p>By the way, don't get too bad a case of senioritis. Colleges have been known to revoke acceptances in extreme circumstances.</p>

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<p>hahaha..
relax senior year.. but watch your grades!
Congrats!</p>

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<p>BassDad, </p>

<p>Thank you!! I got accepted into the College because I decided not to do Early Review for the Conservatory. My Conservatory audition is in January!!! So I can't totally slack off forever... haha!</p>