Yes, yet another "Chance Me Please" Post; Please help me!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Hamilton College
1

<p>Hello all, I know how annoying this might be to some but I'm desperate so please help me? Hamilton is a lovely, and competitive school. Before I got my SAT scores, I was even trying to decide if I should do ED here. But now, I'm extremely stressed:</p>

<p>So I am a Nepalese senior (US Permanent Resident) doing the IBDP in Nepal. Here are a few things about me:</p>

<p>Background:
Nepalese, going to the only IB school in Nepal. On merit based aid. (they don't provide need based aid)</p>

<p>SAT:
CR:650
Math: 600
Writing: 700
(essay of 10)
Total: 1950</p>

<p>IB subjects:
Math SL
Physics SL
Spanish ab initio
English Lang and Lit HL
Economics HL
Social and Cultural Anthropology (SCA) HL</p>

<p>I can speak and write 4 languages: Nepali, English, Hindi and Spanish.</p>

<p>For my IB first year finals (11th grade finals) I got a score of 34 out of 42 which is in the top 5% of my class. (total 47 students in my class)
However, my IB 2nd year (12th grade) midterm results were extremely better: 37 out of 42 which is actually in the top 3% of my class. However my school doesn't rank since students take different subjects and all of that.
So in my midterms I got a 6 in all my subjects except for SCA in which I got a 7 out of 7. </p>

<p>Personal essay: Still working on it but I'd give it around a 7 to 9 out of 10.
Letter of Recs: Should be amazing since all the teachers I've requested love me. ( I wont know though, I've waived my right)
Supplementary: Should be good too.</p>

<p>As for EC's:
House Vice Captain (Prefect member): one year
House Captain (Prefect member): 9th grade, one year.
School Vice Captain (Prefect member): 10th grade, one year.
Student Council President: IB first and second year; two years.
Government school tutoring: Once a week for 1 hour, one year.
Started the school IB magazine and worked as chief editor for 1 year. (still helping juniors work on the magazine)
Won first prize for IB short film festival (and competition) that took place in our school for our English Lang and Lit class.
Organized various school events such as the school prom, welcome party, spirit week, IB film festival, Dashain Fest, etc.
Peer mentoring
Led many school assemblies.
Worked as teacher's assistant for more than two years.
Represented my school on a national TV show
Represented my school at a conference for "Round Square Organization"
Received the Teacher's Choice Award
Volunteered in the local community development organization for 2 years. (environment conservation, awareness programs, etc).
Regular singer: (Won singing competition awards (organized by the Indian Embassy for "Gandhi Memorial"), Gave concerts in other schools as well, I have my own recorded Cds as well)
Writing: I'm writing a novel for young adults <a href="13%20chapters,%20so%20far;%20the%20word%20count%20categorizes%20it%20into%20the%20%22novella%22%20section">teen romance/fiction</a> But I dream of publishing it one day (soon).
Travel experiences: I've traveled to more than 6 countries so far and I've also regularly traveled to rural areas of Nepal. On these travels, I've provided the villages with small stationary items such as books, exercise books, pencils, calculators, etc.
I also take part in sports and have won many intramural competitions. (Basketball, badminton, etc.)</p>

<p>Possible hooks(?):US PR living in an underdeveloped country(?) (Other than that, nothing else)</p>

<p>Please tell me what you think about my profile.
To all that take the time to read through this post and give honest opinions, I really thank you! As you can see, my SAT scores aren't all that great so I'm extremely worried. I swear though, this post is genuine so please do help!</p>

<p><em>I also apologize for any grammatical errors I may have made on this post</em></p>

<p>Thankyou in advance!</p>

2

<p>Only four languages? What, no classical Armenian or Old Persian?</p>

<p>Part of my answer to your question would have to do with something I don’t have knowledge of. Does your IB school have selective admissions, and if so, how selective? If you are in a selective program and are performing academically in the top 3-5%, then you are suitably impressive in this important area, especially if you have pursued rigorous courses. (Have you taken biology and chemistry on some level? Math through calculus is also fairly common, but not mandatory.)</p>

<p>As you recognized, your SAT scores are below Hamilton’s typical range – though the writing score looks good. Check Hamilton’s flexible testing policy to see if you have viable options in terms of submitting alternative standardized tests.</p>

<p>Lastly, I’d try to order your extracurriculars by both their overall importance and their meaning to you. I read through them and found them interesting, but ultimately I was unclear as to what you are most passionate about. In your case, categories would be clarifying (leadership, community service, writing, etc).</p>

<p>Your application will be appropriate for consideration by this college, though other applicants in the same pool may be stronger. So you will have to wait and see. ED1 can only help.</p>

<p>Wishing you success! </p>

3

<p>Oh okay, so about admissions… My school is quite competitive when it comes to selectivity due to lack of bigger space and resources. And:</p>

<p>So I’ve studied physics, biology and chemistry for 10 years, English for 12 years, nepali for 10 years, Spanish for 2 years, math for 12 years, etc. My course load is quite rigorous as well so yeah.</p>

<p>As for tests, I’ll make sure to look it up. I don’t think I can take another test though. </p>

<p>Okay! I’ll organise my EC’s then. This post was unorganised haha.</p>

<p>Thank you so much! I really appreciate your feedback :slight_smile: </p>

4

<p>Congratulations on your achievements! </p>

<p>So, languages may be your hook. If you can speak and write Español after two years that’s terrific. Try to quantitfy your skills in this area to the admissions committee if you possibly can.</p>

<p>If you were wondering, classical Armenian and Old Persian were a reference to the story of a student who conned his way into college by fabricating his achievements, at times farcically. These are just two of the languages he asserted his fluency in.</p>

5

<p>Thankyou so much, your feedback honestly means alot to me!</p>

<p>I’ll make sure to do so. A question though: So since my SAT scores have not been all that terrific, I’ve been in a dilemma. Since I have a possible hook at Smith College (legacy and it is test optional for me), everyone is urging me to apply there. And I don’t mind because I loved Smith. On the other hand though, I love Hamilton equally but I don’t have any specific “hook” there. Smith and Hamilton are both my top choices currently but I can’t decide on which school I should apply ED1 to. But I absolutely do want to apply ED1 to one of these. Which, in your opinion (I know this is subjective but I’m just trying to gain perspective here) would be a better choice? As in can you give any idea about this? ._.</p>

<p>Oh my, I had no idea! That is crazy… :neutral_face: </p>

<p>Once again thankyou for your feedback! </p>

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<p>I’ll try to give a considered response to your Hamilton vs. Smith question (either tonight or tomorrow), but first, how do you feel about an all female college as compared to one that is basically gender balanced?</p>

<p>Btw, your SAT scores seem quite acceptable for Smith . . . somewhat ironic for you since you wouldn’t need to submit them.</p>

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<p>Before making your decision you should find out what the extent of the Smith legacy preference is. I’ve read that for some colleges the benefit applies to ED only.</p>

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<p>@merc81 yes, I do plan on sending in my SAT scores even if they’re not required though haha. And as for all girls vs co-ed, I would much rater prefer attending a co-ed school. Its just that my scores are :expressionless: </p>

<p>Thankyou! I will check it. The thing is Smith has Ed 1 and ED 2 so even if Smith only gives legacy preference for ED, Is till have the chance to apply through ED2. </p>

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<p>Firstly, although colleges do weigh your SAT scores, they are not everything. For one reason, they have a socioeconomic and cultural component which is beyond the student’s control. If you felt you were doing well before you took them, then you are still doing well! Besides, they are not bad scores. They are just a little low for some schools – but high for many others.</p>

<p>As one opinion, consider an ED application to Hamilton. It’s an excellent, interesting college – for a lot of reasons – and meets your coeducational preference. (ED is, btw, in itself, a “hook.”)</p>

<p>Hamilton has a 93% graduation rate, so if they accept you, then you are likely to thrive and graduate.</p>

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<p>@merc81 That is true. I love everything about Hamilton (but the same goes for Smith!)
Another nightmare of mine-- not being accepted to my first/second choice colleges and having to take a gap year. One part of me screams at me to apply ED to Smith while another part screams to apply ED to Hamilton.
The one thing I noticed though was that both schools provide ED1 and ED2. I love both these schools enough to be fine with applying ED to these two. But currently, I’m having thoughts of whether I should apply ED1 to Smith and keep Hamilton as my second choice college. </p>

<p>Do you think if I were to apply ED2 to Hamilton, it would hurt my chances in any way? </p>

<p>I know my case might sound strange but I’m honestly stuck in a rut. But the more I research on all this, the more clearer things become. Once again, thankyou so much for all of the feedback!</p>

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<p>Hamilton College class of 2018:</p>

<p>ED1 acceptance rate: 41%</p>

<p>ED2 acceptance rate: 29%</p>

<p>RD acceptance rate: 25%</p>

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<p>@merc81 Hm okay. The numbers speak for themselves ._.
Two last questions: How is the alumni networking for Hamilton? and How is the job recruitment for graduating students?</p>

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<p>The best answer may be an indirect one. Hamilton reports alumni giving (as measured by percentage of alumni) as being in the top 1% of all U.S. colleges. This is a good indicator of alumni satisfaction, loyalty and post-collegiate success.</p>

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<p>It is natural for you to have some concerns at this point, but being forced to take a gap year should not be one of them. Should you not get in to either of your two top choices, you will have plenty of time to apply to other colleges. I recommend you research a few now so you will not feel rushed at a later stage.</p>

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<p>Should be: [not get in ED1 . . .]</p>

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<p>@merc81 No problem! And I understand. I have researched a few colleges that I will apply RD to so that’s there. I guess I’ll just have to decide which college I want to apply ED1 to. You’ve helped me alot in this regard, and I feel much more confident now. </p>

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<p>The majority of ED1 admits are recruited athletes.</p>

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<p>@CrewDad‌: Hamilton most recently accepted 163 ED1 applicants. Do you have any figures to support that at least 82 of these were recruited athletes? </p>

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<p>There are 29 varsity sports teams. How many recruits do you believe each team is allocated? :)</p>

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<p>@CrewDad‌ :</p>

<p>Thanks for your response. </p>

<p>Anecdotal, but I’ve seen the figure of about 70, total, for a college of Hamilton’s size. Some of these would not be accepted (are replacement recruits then offered?), and others would be EDII or RD. So the number of ED1 accepted athletic-recruits would then seem to be substantially less than 70. In any event, this seems to be a mostly hidden figure.</p>