<p>I am a high school junior interested in studying art history/social sciences in college with the ambition of eventually making curatorial work/arts administration my career. So far in my college search, I have heard Williams mentioned many times as one of the best (if not the best) college for preparing students with my interests for careers in the arts. I've also read/heard that the Williams art program alumni, or "Williams Art Mafia," run and manage a huge number of top arts institutions across the country. </p>
<p>Can anyone tell me if these assertions are true? </p>
<p>Additionally, if you are already reading this post and feel you are able, would you mind giving me an idea of my chances if I applied ED? I know that asking strangers to assess one's chances on a site like cc is pretty silly, but sometimes it seems like some people who are fairly knowledgeable about the admissions process comment on threads. </p>
<p>Highschool: Suburban Minnesota high school, ranked #89 in Newsweek's "List of the 1200 Top High Schools in America," dept. of education "five star school," all that.
Unweighted GPA: 3.96
Weighted: 4.12
AP Classes taken/registered to take: Euro History, US history, American Lit., World Lit., Latin, Calc. AB, Bio, Studio Art.
ACT: 31 (first time, taking again soon)
SAT: M-630 CR- 780 W-700 (hugely unbalanced, I know. Also first time score, intending to take several more times)
ECs: - I work at a nationally recognized contemporary art institution where I serve on a teen council that plans events and workshops with the intent of getting teens involved at the museum.
- I run a music/variety radio show and create programming on a local college radio station with some other teens
- Coach at the writing center in my high school. Writing is definitely one of my strengths so I feel fairly confident about the essay portion of my apps.
- Study cello privately and play in orchestras/quartets
- Working on a photography portfolio, will continue to do so next year in AP studio art
- Traveling to Ireland this summer to farm/help run an art center in a co-operative community for people with mental handicaps.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who read/can give me some advice. Much appreciated.</p>
<p>You look good, but of course it’s a crap shoot. Intending to continue your study of the oboe will be a strong plus, as Williams has orchestras/quartets of its own to fill. Your grades, test scores, and ECs look strong enough already. Being from the MIdwest is also a plus. I wouldn’t obsess too much about the SAT1s, you need 3 SAT2s over 700, and you have as good a chance as anyone. DEFINITELY apply ED if you really want Williams.</p>
<p>Agree, don’t obsess over your Math SAT. It won’t be a deal breaker. My opinion (for what it’s worth) is that your chances are quite good.</p>
<p>ED will give you a major boost (again my opinion only) but you should make sure that you can live with whatever financial aid they may offer before you go this route. Williams is generally thought to be generous, but if you apply ED you won’t be able to compare offers and negotiate.</p>
<p>You should submit a cello performance tape as a supplement to your application even if you don’t intend to major in music. Same for your photography or other studio art. Williams likes multifaceted talent.</p>
<p>A lot of the Williams “art mafia” from the 80’s and 90’s have moved on, but Williams Art History department is still HIGHLY regarded in the museum world. </p>
<p>The three museums on and near campus offer students plenty of hands on experience. The summer internship at Boston’s Gardiner Museum (through the Steamboat Foundation) is a phenomenal opportunity. The faculty is enormously supportive and network connections in the field are also very strong.</p>
<p>My son (Williams 07 art history/art studio) didn’t choose a museum or art history related career path, but his department colleagues who did have all found good curating jobs or places in excellent graduate programs.</p>
<p>^^^I respectfully disagree.Do the SAT2s first and see where you need the most effort. That was my S’s mistake. Your ACT can stand alone for the “first level” tests.</p>
<p>My daughter was admitted with two subject test scores in the mid 600s and one 780 (math II which isn’t all that great considering the precentile). White kid with need, no hooks. 2240 SATI.</p>
<p>I think the OP has a very good chance. The EC’s are interesting and match well with career plans. I would suggest working hard to get that math score to at least 650 if not higher. A friend of the family didn’t do as well as she would have liked to with admissions this year, not at Williams, but similar level schools, as an unbalanced kid (770CR, 800W, 570M). I think the reality is they can only go so low with scores, even if you seem like a very desirable student in every other way.</p>
<p>And from what I’ve read, the Art Mafia is alive and well.</p>
<p>Take the SAT again, and try to get in the next bracket at least. You can see this on the admitted student profile, where the SAT scores are grouped in clusters (eg, 650-690). Mythmom’s son was in the middle 50%ile; OP, you are in the bottom 25%ile, so yes, get the M score up at least in the middle 50%ile.</p>
<p>This will just be one more plus in your admissions column; not a guarantee of getting in. In the final analysis, it will be the ECs, geography, etc. that will play into whether you make it. But, the stronger your academic record, the higher the chances you’ll have of beating out someone else for that slot in the class…</p>
<p>I would guess that anyone who falls into any of the 25%ile of academic scoring (test scores, GPA and rigor) would have to have a very strong offsetting reason, aka, a hook, such as athletic recruit or URM. </p>
<p>I think you have a very good chance. Your intense interest in the arts, and activities / honors to match, will make you appealing to the admissions office, especially if you can tie that in in one of your essays to Williams’ strength in that area. I would try to get either ACT, or SAT math, up a little, but if you boost a reasonable amount you should be well-positioned, especially if you apply ED. Being from Minnesota might help a tiny bit as well. </p>
<p>And yes, the art history mafia is alive and well:</p>
<p>As you can see, from the classes of 1960 through 1995, Williams has consistently produced major figures in the curatorial world. It takes a decade or so to reach Wikipedia-level fame, but I’m sure in another 10-20 years folks from the class of 1995-2010 will soon join them. Anyone who is anyone in the art museum arena will have some connection to Williams alums of note, I would think.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, do you know where your son’s deparment colleagues were able to find curatorial jobs straight out of college? Additionally, are you aware of what grad schools/grad programs his peers went on to enroll in? Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t have specifics. I believe a couple of them are getting PhD’s from the New York Institute of Fine Arts. During the time that my son was at Williams quite a few of his colleagues had internships/summer jobs at museums and galleries. I’m sure the art department or the career center could give you more information on where alums have landed.</p>