EmMal

I'd really, really appreciate your advice: these threads have been super helpful to read.

I'm living in Shanghai, Finnish in nationality, Finnish as first language, I'm applying for Fall '08 to Amherst, Bard, Cornell as my reach schools. I'm wondering... do I have a chance with these mediocre scores, especially my sad, sad math SAT I score?




Applying to (reach): Amherst, Bard, Cornell

SAT I (highest):
--- V: 730
--- M: 620
--- W: 680

[I just took Subject Tests in Lit, Bio (E), and Chinese (with Listening) just this month.]



Nationality: Finnish
Gender: Female

GPA: 3.87
Rank: No class rank
High School: Private, int'l

Full IB Diploma; Higher level English, Economics, Art. Standard level Math, Biology, Chinese ab initio.



ECs and etc:
--- "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" - Fall HS drama production, lead role, Trudy.
--- Trash Fashion Show - event organizer, leader, designer
--- LiMing After School Program - teach art class at underprivileged local school
--- Ropes & Rocks - rock climbing
--- Clowning at Leukemia Hospital
--- International Thespian Society - inducted member
--- National Honor Society - inducted member
--- HS Student Newspaper - co-founder and contributor
--- Student Writing Circle

Awards:
Outstanding Fine Arts Student (HS wide, accomplishments in visual arts, theater, music)
High Honor Roll

Recs:
Theory of Knowledge, Bio. Both amazing.

Supplement:
Artistic. I nearly applied to an art school. Will send a Visual Arts supplement to Amherst -- two examples of my work are: untitled snow white by ~mikilana on deviantART
untitled madonna and child by ~mikilana on deviantART

Essay:
Aiming for 'compelling.'



Overall I'm most worried about my SAT scores. My question is will they bring down the rest of my application considerably? Do I have a chance at Amherst, Bard, or Cornell? (Don't worry, I've got my safety and match schools lined up.)

Thanks so much for your help!

Proud Dad

Bard doesn't require standardized test scores, but yours are easily mid-pack, at least, for Bard so send them. Bard is also interested in your supplements and they have a very good studio art program. I'd say with your international background and stats Bard is a good match. Can't speak to the rest because my kids never considered them.

EmMal

Thank you so much, that's reassuring. Bard is looking really good. I didn't know they'd take an arts supplement, thanks!

Out of the three more selective schools I'm applying to (Amherst, Bard, Cornell) I'm most worried, clearly, about the other two.

Can anyone give me feedback on my slim chances at Amherst or Cornell?

EmMal

Can anyone else give me feedback on Cornell and/or Amherst? Would really appreciate it.

Proud Dad

Just to reassure you about Bard:
From this link: Ask the Admissions Office

EmMal

Ah, thanks so much. Yes, I think that'll definitely help my application. The fact of the matter is really that now I have to choose between theater and art... I'll see how my monologue video came out.

Proud Dad

Send both! My daughter sent a studio art portfolio (20 slides), musical performance CD, and a list of theater productions with reviews and still photos. Some schools to which she was applying specifically requested "no videos" for theater so she had none prepared. Anything they can use to get to know you seems to work for Bard. No need to hold back.

mayiplzgovertigo

Awards:
Outstanding Fine Arts Student (HS wide, accomplishments in visual arts, theater, music)
High Honor Roll


^ You should not include awards that are given out JUST by yur school - only include awards that are given ot regionally or nationally

Proud Dad

Politely: "Bull...." Certainly you should list as many awards as you earned. Outstanding anything-student at a good school is quite an achievement. Even the Wellesley Book Award is given by your school, not nationally. This is just bad advice from someone with no experience. Ignore it. Your school awards are a lot better ECs than "president of the art club" or other such trumped-up popularity contests.

EmMal

Aha, I see.

My school awards will probably be the only things in the award section anyway since my international school here (...which is brand new, fyi, I'm part of the first graduating class) is relatively isolated from the world of awards, grants, prizes, acknowledgments, competitions and the like. There are simply no opportunities to get awards unless individuals actively seek them out online... which I haven't heard many here have done since most "prestigious"/well-known awards seem to call for US citizenship or residency. Personally I haven't tried to hunt down awards/competitions, which may be shortcoming, but because I can't change that fact now there's no point for me to worry over it.

Thanks for the feedback!