LinaNick

Just trying to get a feel for where to apply early (sorry, I know there are a thousand of these-- thanks for taking the time to look at mine!). Any feedback would be appreciated!

Academics:
GPA - Unweighted: 3.92
GPA - Weighted: 4.41
Class Rank: around top 5% (school doesn't rank)
Class Size: about 160
SAT I: 2260 (single sitting), 2280 (highest sections: Math--730, CR--800, Writing--750)
SAT II: U.S. History--760, Math II--770, Literature: 790
APs: US History(5), Latin-Vergil(5), Gov (Unknown), BC Calc (UK)

Senior Course Load:
AP Biology
AP Literature
AP Latin: Vergil-Caesar (I took AP Latin:Vergil sophomore year, but they changed the curriculum this year, so I get to take AP Latin again!)
Art 5
Math Modeling (dual enrollment class)
AP Comparative Government
Honors Ancient Greek
Mentorship (graduation requirement at my school--involves writing a 15-20 page research paper. I'm excited because my mentor is really cool)

Extracurriculars:
Latin Tutoring
Debate
Model Congress
Virginia Latin Convention (5 years)
NHS
Latin Summer Governor's School (2011)
Crew for 2011 Spring Musical
Latin Club
Latin Honor Society
Co-Managed Field Hockey Team (2011)
Classical Guitar
Leadership positions:
Co-manager of Field Hockey Team (11)
Co-president of Latin Club (11)
Co-secretary of Latin Club (10)
Latin Honor Society Officer
Director of Publications for Model Congress (12)
Athletics:
JV Field Hockey (9,10)
Volunteer/Service Work:
ASK Children's Cancer Organization (camp counseling, data entry, paintings for their Art Room, various odd jobs)
Western Hanover Arts and Music Camp (counselor)
Latin Tutor
Teacher at Ascanius LatinSummer program (summer 2012)

Honors and Awards:
Randolph College Classics Book Award
State Awards at Latin Convention (this year---still tracking down records for previous ones): 4th in Latin Lit, 5th in Latin Vocab, 6th in Mythology, 2nd in RC Prose, 7th in RC Poetry
Maxima Cum Laude National Latin Exam (9,10) Summa Cum Laude (11)
Bronze Medal Medusa Mythology Exam (10)
Honorable Mention Classical Association of VA Test (9,10,11)
Silver Key Regional Scholastic Art Award (10), Gold Key Regional Scholastic Award (11), Gold Medal National Scholastic Award (11)
Congressional Art Award (painting exhibited in the Capitol)
Member of the VA State Champion We the People team, 2nd at Nationals

Essays: working on them now, should be good. We'll see.
Teacher Recs: very, very good and AWESOME
Counselor Rec: very good

Other
State (if domestic applicant): VA
School Type:Public (among top 20 in the Nation, according to US News)
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Female

The mentorship will be under a Federal District Court judge. I'm starting in August and will have a minimum 115 hours (most likely more).

Thanks for your time!

LinaNick

it's definitely still on the table, but I'm curious to know your reasons for why Yale over any other school

LinaNick

Good to know. Thanks!

LinaNick

I was mostly hoping to hear whether my chances are good to get into Princeton SCEA

midatlmom

Lina

Yale is not "much stronger" in classics than Princeton. According to the Gourman rankings, Yale is 3rd and Princeton is 4th, according to NRC PhD programs, Princeton is 4th and Yale is 5th and according to PHDs.org, Princeton is 4th and Yale is 19th (and at Princeton, you are taught by the same teachers who teach graduate students). In addition, Princeton has more students who major in classics--according to the college navigator site, Princeton had 14 seniors majoring in classics, while Yale had 10. The Princeton classics department is excellent (as is the Yale department) and the university has a strong commitment towards keeping the number of students majoring in classics as high as possible.

While I do not generally respond to chances threads, I will say that students who have strong backgrounds in classics often do quite well in the Princeton admissions process (particularly those who study both Greek and Latin).

LinaNick

Thanks! I am generally leaning more toward applying to Princeton early just because I felt more comfortable around the campus and students, so it's good to hear that the Classics program is good and that students of Classics generally fare well in admissions there. I'd looked at both websites and figured I would be fine at either, but it can sometimes be hard to determine quality based on just that. I appreciate your help!

alexcuad

"I am generally leaning more toward applying to Princeton early just because I felt more comfortable around the campus and students"

And that's what really matters