Vetofor

Hello!

I recently submitted my Early Decision application to another college, but have recently been completely flummoxed as to where to apply for regular decision. I am mainly interested in schools with strong programs in Political Science or International Relations, and William's IR program is extremely appealing.

That being said, I'm still a bit unsure as to where I might stand in the application process for Williams. Any feedback, information, or comments would definitely be appreciated.

I should probably start off with my background- until Sophomore year, I lived in Connecticut. Over the summer of my Sophomore year, however, my family completed a cross-country move to California. Unfortunately, within six months of arriving, my parents divorced - my father has had a chronic history of infidelity. It's been a tough process for my younger brother and I, but we've both learned a number of life-lessons, and I think all of this has been for the best. I've tried hard to remain unaffected by all of the recent 'turmoil;' my stats are listed below.

White male, California
I've taken the SAT twice:
Sitting 1: 2090 (750 CR, 630 Math, 710 Writing)
Sitting 2: 2150 (740 CR, 640 Math, 770 Writing)
I'm unsure of Brown's SAT policy, but combined, I have a score of 2160.
I.B Candidate
GPA: 3.96, 4.27 weighted, in the top 5% of my school. Except for math (I.B Math Studies instead of A.P Calc), I'm taking the most rigorous courses at my school.
SAT subject tests: 780 U.S History, Literature and Biology scores pending.

Extra-Curriculars:
Captain, Speech and Debate
President, Mock Trial Team (Was chosen to be a varsity attorney last year, my first year on the team. Our team ranks 7th in the state.)
Founder, President, Model United Nations Club (Since its founding early last year, we have attended simulations locally and at UCLA)
President, Miller Family YMCA Youth & Government Delegation

Before moving to California, during Sophomore year, I was the youngest-elected President of our 130-member Latin Club, Class Vice-President, Debate Club Treasurer, and Vice-President of our Model United Nations club.)

Before moving to California, I won several State and National awards in Latin - unfortunately, my new school does not have a Latin Program, but I've done my best to continue studying the language through Cambridge University's Distance-Learner Latin Program. On a related note, I also won Connecticut-state awards in French.

While I hate to be so wordy, I've also won a great number of awards for International Extemporaneous speaking and Parliamentary Debate, with my partner and I having taken first place at a number of regional competitions; I have qualified for State Finals in my Freshman, Sophomore, Junior (and hopefully Senior) years. Last year at Youth & Government, I was chosen as the "2009 Assemblyman of the Year."

Over the summer, I have done my best to remain occupied - I attended Stanfords EPGY program in the summer of my sophomore year for Legal Studies, and recently attended Yale's Ivy Scholar program for International Security Studies. I also helped teach badminton at a local community center.

As for AP's, I am an AP scholar with distinction - I also self-studied for the AP comparative government test, on which I scored a "5."


Anyway, I usually try not to 'freak out' about colleges, but again, any comments would be appreciated. At this point, I'm essentially just trying to figure out where I might place, relative to other applicants, and to determine whether I might have a chance for regular decision.

Thank you,
Vetofor

Pawn_H7

"I'm unsure of Brown's SAT policy "-Vetofor

You are unappreciated...

amr2014

Vetofor... I think you have a decent shot at Williams: your GPA is right in their ballpark, EC's are stand-out, strength of schedule is as best as they come, and it seems like the essays/recs will give you a big boost
only problem is your SAT composite, 1380, which barely cracks their 25%, but your other factors should make up for the rest... I'd say about 45-50%
as for Brown ED, I'd say similar, but the SAT is sorely lacking
Also look at Amherst, Bowdoin, Colgate, Middlebury, Grinnell, Wash U in St. Louis, and UChicago; all are exceptional schools with strong international relations programs

Hope this helps! Please chance me back!!

P.S. I'm a Model UN geek also (VP of my own club)

Vetofor

Pawn_H7, I apologize, and good catch - for purposes of time, I used the same template for my posts, but obviously, I didn't do a thorough read-through before posting it. It's not meant as any type of disrespect, just some small negligence on my part.

amr_2014, thank you, your post was very helpful. Just a note - I'm applying Regular Decision for those two schools, not early decision (That may have impacted your response.) Otherwise, I know that my SAT Scores are the weaker point of my profile - if my intended major isn't related to math, though, will it be as big of a factor?

SDonCC

i don't think Williams counts the Writing SAT. If you look at the test scores of the class profiles on their website, they don't list it, just CR and M.

OldbatesieDoc

I'd say except for the California thing, probably not. Unless your SAT 2s are a lot better. Not that you aren't a great candidate, it's just a small school, and there aren't many spots, that's all. So try, but I think less than 50%.
Honestly(and I don't tell this to everyone)-you might want to try Bates-great debate team, and test scores optional.I also was thinking Colgate and Midd.

TheRoad

http://www.williams.edu/admission/wi...rofile2013.pdf

If you look at it, they have a section for the Writing SAT. I think you
looked at a different chart in another part of their website which I saw
too but I e-mailed them a while back and they said that Writing part
of the SAT is considered. So according to this chart, 32+/-7 people who
enrolled as class of 2013 had 2250-2400 SAT score.

And even though you are "looking" at a major that is not related to math,
they do have a set course (although loose compared to other colleges) where
you will have to take math classes so I don't think that excuse will cut it

As someone said, it's a small school meaning the admission process is rather
different from big universities: they have to consider each student and his or
her impact in the college community. It's not the scores (so don't be so bogged
down on that-there's a thing called point of diminishing return). And since
Williams do not offer evaluative interviews, what it comes down to are your
Common App essays and your supplementary essay. They will be looking for
"types" of people. Your stats show only one flat side of you. So get going on
those essays although had your SAT been a bit higher, it would've been nice.
Hope your SAT II's are all above 750 Good luck.

I can't chance you seeing I'm not part of the admissions and I don't want to
give you or take away hope by some random choice of number with no basis.
If you can't tell, I dislike chance topics :P But I do understand your anxiety;
I would be making "chance me" threads if the responses had any substance
in them and the answers accurate.

SDonCC

TheRoad, thanks for posting that link. I think the profiles for prior years did not include the Writing scores. This profile is so clear and informative.

As for chancing anyone for a school like Williams, it's pretty impossible to do. These LACs are building a class, so it really is a question of what needs the school is trying to fill in terms of which attributes of the each applicant will be the most important.

kkari

Actually, there is no math requirement beyond an understanding of pre-calc. All first years take a (fairly simple) math placement exam. If you fail, which people rarely do, you are required to consult with a math prof about why you failed, what your math background is, and which courses you should take. Passing the math placement exam or taking pre-calc at the college is required to take any Division III (math and hard science classes). So if you pass, you can just not take math classes.

But don't not take math classes because the math profs here are absolutely amazing.

sarahosiris

I am a Williams grad from '81 and have watched quite a few kids go through the app process in recent years. I think you have as good a chance as anyone, so go for it. The LACs are small, but that can work to your favor if you have some demographic they are looking for (ie. it can make up for this or that test score). You may not get it, but don't just rule it out. It's a great school.