Chance My Son, Please

myoneandonly · 03-22-2008, 01:20 PM

Son a junior in excellent public high school in MA. Has a 4.7 weighted GPA on a 6.0 scale -- have no idea how this translates on the 4.0 scale but he is a B student, having taken 3/4 of his classes at the Advanced level. Will take 3 APs next year (Bio, Stats, Latin); President of Latin Club; varsity golf and crew; few other clubs at school throughout high school and has done a bit of volunteering.

School doesn't rank but he's in top 30% (75/260).

SATs: 700M, 620CR, 520W -- will take again in June. How much does the Writing section actually count?

Also, not applying for financial aid -- does this even matter?

Anyone out there with honest opinion would be most appreciated! Thanks.

justbumming · 03-22-2008, 02:01 PM

hahaha ok your son is applying to alot of the same schools I did (Bucknell, Lehigh, Union, Villanova, Colgate)

I feel like your son would have a good shot at union, nova and lehigh maybe, but colgate and bucknell are getting more and more competitive, but could probably make good reaches

bluebayou · 03-22-2008, 02:26 PM

Colgate does not use the Writing portion. Full-pay status only helps those kids on the "bubble".

myoneandonly · 03-22-2008, 03:13 PM

Bluebayou: "Not needing FA would only apply if you're on the 'bubble'"? What's the bubble?! Thanks.

bluebayou · 03-22-2008, 03:29 PM

sorry, bubble is a term from March Madness, prior to the invitations to the NCAA tournament (aka, the Big Dance). On the bubble means that the admissions package is not a sure thing, i.e., Admissions has nearly completed thier review and found stronger candidates, (however they define "stronger"). Thus, for the last few spots (however defined), financial aid comes into play -- admission offers will go to the near or all full pay students as opposed to someone who needs a full ride.

please1 · 03-22-2008, 04:00 PM

I think your son has a decent shot but colgate is a reach . 1220/1600 is not very good its not bad at all but its not good enough for colgate. his gpa sounds good but i'm not too sure. top 30% should be acceptable though... just raise the sat.

myoneandonly · 03-22-2008, 04:19 PM

SAT is 1320, not 1220.

myoneandonly · 03-22-2008, 04:20 PM

Bluebayou: That's what I'm talking about . . . . since my son would most likely be a definite "Bubble Boy", would the fact that he doesn't need any dough help in Adcom making a favorable decision?

NeuroticSenior · 03-22-2008, 04:32 PM

decisions are supposed to be need blind.

bluebayou · 03-22-2008, 06:07 PM

N-senior: few colleges are need-blind, and Colgate is not one of them. From Colgate's website:

"Colgate provides need-based financial aid to most admitted students who demonstrate need, but the admission process is not 100 percent need-blind."

myone: Yes, being full pay can only help a 'bubble boy' over a financially-needy student. But, unfortunately, there are plenty of full-pays in the applicant pool so one still needs to stand out.

please1 · 03-23-2008, 02:55 PM

ohh i'm sorry i thought 1220. 1320 is good. i think your son can get in!

OldPerson · 03-23-2008, 05:30 PM

I hate to be pessimistic, but I believe that 4.7/6 is equal to a 3.13 GPA. The SAT and the GPA are a bit low for Colgate. I would recommend bringing up the SAT and taking the ACT

icy9ff8 · 03-23-2008, 05:35 PM

Oldperson is correct, but I think that your son has better than a 50% chance of being admitted to Colgate University so long as his recommendations are strong and his application was well written & sincere.