An average guy knocking at the door...chances?

Colleges & Universities Amherst College
1

<p>I would greatly appreciate any advice and predictions for an average scored, white kid from Podunk, Utah. I’m trying to get out of my state and into some top colleges, but I’m not sure I’m quite good enough.</p>

<p>SAT: CR: 700, Math 670, Writing 660
Subject SAT: U.S. History 770, Literature 670
AP Tests: Calculus AB 4, U.S. History 4, European History 3
ACT: 32
GPA: 3.95 (unweighted)
Class Rank: 41 out of 371 (We have 23 4.0’s because it’s unweighted, and kids get away with taking slacker classes and getting 4.0’s GRRRRRR)</p>

<p>Academic Awards:
National Merit Semi-Finalist
AP Scholar
Coke Scholar Semi-Finalsit (Does this count for anything besides money?)
(Not many, I know)</p>

<p>Classes:
AP English
AP Government Comaparative and U.S (Self Study)
Russian (Self Study)
Business 1500
Family Human Development 1400
Biology 1010
Chemistry 1010
Gym, Drama, Choir etc.</p>

<p>Extracirricular:
Senior Class President and other Student Government positions throughout highschool career.</p>

<p>Swim Team: Varsity Letter all 4 years of high school, and part of the State Championship Team last year.</p>

<p>Orchestra: I play the cello, and got straight superiors at the State Solo/Ensemble Competetion.</p>

<p>Choir: I’m in the select choir. I went to All State and did Honor Choir.</p>

<p>Drama: I’ve done community theatre as well as school theatre. I was a lead in the play, Much Ado About Nothing, and have participated in other musicals and plays such as Les Miserables, Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Wind in the Willows, Anything Goes, and Good News.</p>

<p>Community Service:
Red Cross Representative with CPR, Lifesaving and Swim Instructor Certifications.</p>

<p>Church Service Projects (This is a ton of work, probably 10 hours a week)</p>

<p>That’s all I can think of off the top of my head, there’s probably more, but with what I’ve given you, and a solid essay, Do I have a chance at Amherst, and other top Liberal Arts Schools? (Regular Decision, of course)</p>

2

<p>Have you contacted the swim coach? Do you want to continue swimming in college? Your stats are better than you originally stated. I understand the swim team is expected to do very well this year, and they might be able to use you next year. Don’t worry about the 4.0’s and slackers. When the school gets its info from your HS, they see how the GPA is computed, and what they look for is more of what are the most difficult classes in your school, did you take them, and what grades did you get in them? Podunk, Utah should help, not hurt you. The school is very much into diversity. But even these hooks aren’t gurantees. There are no guarantees with an elite school. The essays are crucial. Work very hard on them. Good luck!!!</p>

3

<p>Certianly try it. your scores are definatley good, and even if they aren’t good enough to get you in on their erit alone, they do love diversity, and try to get different kinds of people, and a swimmer from utah seems interesting. you certianly have a shot, follow your dreams but have some easier schools ready.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the help, guys.</p>