Chances for CC

catyskittles · 03-08-2009, 03:57 PM

I really want to go to Colorado College and i am planning on doing early admission.
I Have a 3.7 gpa at one of the top 100 public schools in america, and i take several AP's.
I will have good reccomendations and a good essay.
I have a stronger passion for animals and i am volunteering in Puerto Rico this summer to do research on the Coqui frog.
I am captain of the soccer team and cross country team.
However, i am worried about my rank. My school is uber competitive with the top 25% all having above a 4. I might be at the bottom of the top 50%
Do i have a chance?

Canadianmom · 03-09-2009, 02:36 AM

You definitely have a chance, and depending on how much FA you need, you may have a very good chance. What are your SAT's? And if you are sure you want CC, why not apply ED? That helps, too.

tk21769 · 03-09-2009, 06:13 PM

You sound like a good candidate to me, too.

Ordinarily, 3.7 is a very respectable GPA (though you might not know it from reading some of the posts on College Confidential). I'm a little surprised it does not result in a higher class rank than what you've reported. Is it possible that you over-estimate the number of straight-A students at your school, and under-estimate your own rank? If not, maybe the grades are a little inflated at your school. Or, maybe your classmates really are an unusually capable, or competitive, bunch.

This is why colleges need to assess your grades in light of other information, including your test scores, recommendations, and facts about your school (which your Guidance Counselor should be able to provide). Especially if it turns out that your school sends many students to top colleges, their test scores run high, and your own scores are within the CC median range, I bet the decision won't hinge on your GPA. They are not going to reject you only because you're a few B's short of perfect grades. So relax about that, and have fun with your Coqui frogs.

CC, by the way, seems to have very strong programs in Bio and Environmental Science. The location is excellent because there are so many climate and habitat zones in the area. Take the cog train up Pikes Peak on a warm day; you'll be in shorts at the bottom and wanting a winter parka at the top.

Also, the block plan lends itself to those subjects because the one-course schedule allows for extended field work. Get familiar with how to make it work for you, in light of your interests. This might give you some ideas for your essays or interview.

07DAD · 03-10-2009, 01:01 PM

I am taking a guess that you are a female. I notice that you are the captain of your cross country team. I suggest that you consider contacting the cross country coaches using the recruitment link on the Colorado College website. Colorado College Athletics - Colorado College Cross Country Recruiting Form

I believe that if the coaches are interested in you, it HELPS in the admission process. It is not a commitment to go out for the sport.

Oh, I think there maybe a recruitment link for soccer too , but I'd contact the coach in the sport you are strongest in.

Canadianmom · 03-10-2009, 07:03 PM

Soccer definitely recruits.

Even if you don't get recruited, trying out for varsity can be a good experience. You go to school early, your team and probably another one go on a 4 night camping & service trip, and then you have tryouts. My son did this. By the end, he didn't even want to be on varsity because of the level of commitment necessary, but the try-out experience provided him with friends and a nice segue into college life.

skanmom · 03-11-2009, 04:13 PM

My DS is a freshman at CC. He decided junior it was his #1 choice and applied ED. His stats: GPA 3.8 uw 4.0 w, rank 26/140 at a very competitive high school. SAT's 1250/1800. 4 AP courses 2 with 5's, 2 with 4's. What impressed the adcom who interviewed him: his proficiency in Spanish (they did the interview in Spanish), his worldliness-he had traveled all over the world doing community service with friends, not a structured program. He also kept in touch with his interviewer during the process so she remembered him (they actually trades spanish music etc). He expressed his desire to attend CC in the interview. They loved his essays, which he spent 6 weeks writing. My recommendation: go for an interview, visit as often as you can (he went 3 times before applying), and express your desire!! They stressed to him that his curriculum and extras were much more important than his SAT's. Good luck--he LOVES it there and loves the block plan.

skanmom · 03-11-2009, 04:16 PM

O'h I forgot one thing-he also ran XC and his interviewer had him meet the coach. The coach had already recruited his new class, but told him he'd love to have him run. They kept in touch all summer. I definitely thinks this helps. Note that XC is D3 at CC so they will consider you and soccer is D1 and they recruit for that.

Canadianmom · 03-11-2009, 04:36 PM

Soccer is D3, at least for boys. They recruit, but there are no scholarships. I believe anyone can try out.

I think that only hockey is D1.

I think that expression of interest plus showing you have a good understanding of the block plan and CC culture is important. A visit and interview are the best way of showing that, plus block plan and "Why CC" essays that show your enthusiasm and understanding of the school

skanmom · 03-12-2009, 08:40 AM

Girls soccer at CC is D1. We watch a game at Parents Weekend, they were pretty good (my D is a 15 yo soccer player and wanted to see what a D1 team looked like).

07DAD · 03-12-2009, 10:55 AM

I may have used the wrong word when I said "recruit." What I am suggesting is that the prospective student who has had some success in any where CC fields a team contact the coach through the CC website. Who knows, it might assist in the admission process.

skanmom · 03-12-2009, 12:59 PM

I agree 07dad! Especially the D3 schools and sports. The adcom at CC really stressed to S to contact coach, that it really helps. Also, my D is a senior now and a top golfer in our state. She has been contacted by many coaches to play at D3 schools she would not normally get in (and they basically tell her they will get her in). Luckily, she doesn't want to go to a school where her credentials would be lower than most, but it goes to prove the point that it does help in the admission process to show interest in your sport.

catyskittles · 03-19-2009, 08:56 PM

Thanks everyone for your input!
You make this college search just a little less scary

(especially after looking at everyones chances on college confidential)
and to "Canadianmom" i have a 194 on psats, and im waiting back for the sat results *crosses fingers* should that be okay if i keep my sats around there?

Canadianmom · 03-19-2009, 11:55 PM

Good luck on your SATs. Fraid I don't remember how the PSATs correlate. Keep in touch; we are good at hand-holding!

WordSpinner · 03-31-2009, 07:13 PM

I don't know if CC has ED, but it has EA, so you might want to use that. I got in with that program, and found out the day before Christmas! Good luck!

Canadianmom · 03-31-2009, 08:38 PM

My son was accepted ED. For anyone who is sure they want CC, it is an advantage to apply ED. However, if FA is critical, ED is not a good plan.