Chances at Colgate University

Piano89 · 07-26-2006, 05:14 PM

Personal:
Ethnicity: Asian Male
Location: New York
School Type: Moderately Competitive Medical Magnet High School
Intended Major: Biology/Chemistry or Computer Science/Engineering

GPA:
3.1 UW

SAT I :
Critical Reading: 740
Mathematics: 780
Writing: 760
(1520/2280)

SAT II:
United States History: 750
Physics: 790
Math Level II: 780

Extra-curricular Activities:

H.P.R.E.P. (Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program) at
Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University

R.E.A.D.Y. Program (Responsibly Employed And Dedicated Youth)

Leadership Positions:
Treasurer of Student Government (11)
Founder of the Chess Club
President of the Chess Club

Club Activities:
Member of the Health Sciences Club (11,12)
Member of the Social Wellness Club (12)

Instrument :
Experience Playing Piano (8 years)
Experience Playing Harmonium (10 years)

Work Experience :
Private Student Tutoring in literacy, grammar, and mathematics (9,10)

Community Service :
220 hours for Website Design
30 hours as Teacher's Assistant

College Now Courses at York College : (11)
PSY 102 : Introductory Psychology – B
POL 103 : Politics and Government in the United States *
College Now Course at Borough of Manhattan Community College :
CHE 110 : General Chemistry *
PHY 110 : General Physics **

* Will be completed before applications are due.
** Will be completed after applications are due.

Senior Year Schedule: (Most rigorous schedule possible)
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
Honors English IV
Participation in Government/Economics
POL 103 : Politics and Government in the United States (Semester One)
CHE 110 : General Chemistry (Semester One)
PHY 110: General Physics (Semester Two)

Do I have any chance at Colgate University? Also, it would be gladly appreciated if you could suggest solid safety, and match schools. Thank you for your help!

stonecold23 · 07-26-2006, 06:49 PM

bascially the only way youd get rejected is if colgate thinks you wont attend, and are using them as a safety... if it is a safety then beware, admissions might be able to pick up on that

Piano89 · 07-26-2006, 07:29 PM

I'm not using Colgate as a safety. I would choose to attend if merit aid was thrown my way.

jrpar · 07-26-2006, 08:09 PM

Piano89, I don't think merit aid is likely with a 3.1 GPA. Colgate's merit aid (Alumni Memorial Scholar program) is also limited - $5K one time stipend for travel, and need-based financial aid in the form of grants instead of loans. Do a search on CC to see the stats of AMS winners - the stats are pretty high.

At any school you run the risk of admissions questioning the disconnect between your GPA and standardized test scores. Is there any kind of upward trend in GPA?

Piano89 · 07-26-2006, 08:18 PM

Yeah, definite upward trend. From nineth to tenth, and then from tenth to eleventh.

stonecold23 · 07-27-2006, 12:34 AM

oh i didnt see that GPA... it is kind of low , so colgate is prolly not a safety

but you do have good chances , and it is good that you would like to attend

gellino · 07-27-2006, 10:35 AM

I wouldn't think you're in the running for an AMS, for while the avg SAT for it may be right around 1500, I think winners are also in the top 2-3% of their class as well. Maybe, being a magnet school would mean some extra allowance with this, but probably not past the top 10%, which I'm doubting a 3.1 would be. As far as general admission, I think you have a decent shot, which would be enhanced substantially through applying ED.

Piano89 · 07-29-2006, 12:59 AM

I can't apply early decision because I have to compare financial aid offers. Any other opinions?

Ginger · 07-29-2006, 08:39 PM

My scores were better, my GPA was much better, I had student government, leadership, captain of teams, tutoring, part-time job and 100s of hours of community service. Had fabulous Recs and, the Colgate rep admitted, a truly great essay. I did not need aid. Got wait-listed and never got in. I think it was a bad year for me...just too many applicants and especially applicants who filled "special needs". Colgate was a first choice for me and they could see that from my ap. So there you go for what it's worth.

collegeparent · 07-31-2006, 01:48 PM

Your 3.1 is going to hurt you whether you apply RD or ED. I also don't see any sports involvement, especially at a school where athletics is a good part of the campus experience, whether in a pick-up frisbee game or cheering on the Raiders on a Saturday afternoon. Also, your leadership and ECs are not as strong as Ginger's, e.g. The one bright spot: the new science building on campus will be looking for students such as yourself to fill it. But the discrepancy in your GPA and test scores will flag you; your transcript, BTW, will be the most important part of your application package. IMHO, Colgate's a reach if you're applying RD.

Am sure you're looking at other schools. Have you also considered such other more likely match schools as CMU, Carleton, Michigan, Union, Bucknell, Case, Illinois, Lafayette, Lehigh, Drexel and Wisconsin?

tubaguy · 08-01-2006, 10:17 AM

The only way to get rejected is to not apply. Colgate takes a fair amount of pride in getting to know each applicant as best they can and putting you in the context of your educational and personal background. Numbers don't automatically mean acceptance or denial, the admissions office looks at the whole picture.