An average student's chances

Colleges & Universities Wesleyan University
1

<p>Hello, I’m Alyssa. I’m a junior, and i live in Michigan.
I like Wesleyan a lot, and I would like to know my chances. I go to an average public school in Michigan. We have a pretty strict curriculum, with lots of required classes that usually push AP classes until senior year. I’ve always thought that I had a great transcript, because compared to the kids in my school, I have taken a tough curriculum. After looking at some of the other posts around here though, I feel like my transcript is very average. </p>

<p>GPA - 4.0
Rank: 1/323 (there are about 10 other number ones though. my school does not do weighted GPA’s at all. so we are all tied with 4.0’s.)</p>

<p>I took the ACT last December and got a 29. I’m retaking it in june, and I’m hoping that studying will help me bring it up a few points. The practice tests I"ve taken so far are 31 composite. If I’m able to get a 31, will that help my chances? Also, will taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT hurt my chances? </p>

<p>My school doesn’t offer honors or enriched classes. </p>

<p>9th Grade
Geometry - A
Algebra II -A
Global Studies - A
English 3 - A
Biology - A
Personal fitness (required) - A
Marching Band - A
Concert Band - A</p>

<p>10th Grade
Trigonometry/Vectors - A
Intro to Chem/Phys (required) - A
English 4 - A
Japanese 1 - A
Marching Band - A
Wind Ensemble - A
Aerobics (required) - A
U.S. History - A</p>

<p>11th Grade
Chemistry - A
Chemistry II - A
Pre-Calc - A
English 5 - A
Japanese 2 - A
Economics/Sociology - A
Marching Band - A
Wind Ensemble - A</p>

<p>12th Grade(this will be next year) - I’m also very confident that I will be able to keep my 4.0 through senior year
AP English 6
AP Calc AB
AP Calc BC
Government
AP U.S. History
Japanese 3
Physics
Marching Band</p>

<p>I also took anatomy at the local community college for a semester. I’m not sure, but I think it’s worth 3 or 4 credit hours. I did get an A in this class. </p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars
Mentoring program at local junior high(11th). Tutoring at local Junior High(11th). Tutoring at local elementary school(11th). About 30 other volunteering hours of things like river cleanup, Zoo Boo, Bell Ringing, and ushering(11th). President of the Japanese club(10th and 11th). National Honor Society. </p>

<p>I’ve also been accepted into a 2 week medical program at Kalamazoo College this summer. It’s very competitive getting in. 14 students are chosen for it. </p>

<p>I’m going to be doing research at Western University this summer in chemistry. </p>

<p>And I’ve had a steady job shelving books at my local library for about a year. </p>

<p>And one more question…my school schedule is 4 classes one semester, and then 4 classes the next semester. How much will the classes that I"m signed up for 2nd semester affect my application? For example, I’m planning on taking calc BC second semester…how much will that affect the admissions process…since I won’t even be in it when I submit the application? </p>

<p>Thanks for reading! You all seem pretty helpful, so I hope that I can get some advice.</p>

2

<p>Yeah, you’re totally an average applicant…
Oh come on, you’ve got as good a shot as any!
ACT/SAT normally doesn’t make a difference, just do well. You have a good shot. Write a good essay, and that’ll help.
Start writing this summer.</p>

3

<p>I forgot to mention under the extra curriculars that I was involved in Science Olympiad and Quiz Bowl this year.</p>

4

<p>Alright, not only are you involved in science clubs in school, but you’re doing chem research over the summer. And you’re asking about chances?
You do realize that you have an edge over the competition just because you’re going to be majoring in the sciences right?
Yeahhh, that’s right. Very good students who are science majors get a little bit of help because the faculty want’s science students too.
Good luck, have you visited Wes?</p>

5

<p>hey!
Thanks for replying. And no, I haven’t visited Wes yet. I think I might wait, and if I do actually get in, I will do an overnight. It’s a little far, which makes it a little expensive to get to. </p>

<p>And I’m planning on being premed, and majoring in chemistry. </p>

<p>After looking at a lot of the posts around here…and seeing that people are going to these really top private schools and are worried about getting in just kinda scares me. </p>

<p>Did you get accepted into Wesleyan?</p>

6

<p>Yup! I’ll be a freshman there this fall :-)</p>

<p>They have this program called HPPI (health something something initiative) and it’s 6 weeks during summer, and you take a few classes at wes and meet with people in the medical field and wesleyan covers your costs. It’s a good experience to have. I can’t do it since i’ll be in Africa, but some of the people I know at wes are doing it and they’re excited.</p>

<p>I’d recommend you try doing an overnight first, just because wesleyan isn’t your ‘typical’ school. You might love it, or you might decide it’s just not for you. So it’s worth the visit, if you can afford it.
Good luck. I’m open to any questions if you have any. PM me if you wish :-)</p>

7

<p>Very good students who are science majors get a little bit of help because the faculty want’s science students too.]]</p>

<p>You get an even bigger boost b/c you’re a female. If you want to major in physics, you’re in.</p>

<p>If you decide to attended Wes, be nice to ridethecliche. He’ll have access to the infamous beer and booze boat. ;)</p>

<p>However, guys affectionately refer to it as the beer, booze and babes boat. :)</p>

8

<p>Don’t listen to him. I’m pretty straight-edge, I swear!</p>

<p>I’ve been to Wes a few times, and I’ve met a lot of the students there. It’s an amazing school with amazing people. I already have friends in my class who I still talk to online and on the phone. It’s a wonderful opportunity and asset.</p>

<p>You’re not an ordinary student by any means. You’d do wonderfully at wes, besides it’d be nice to have some more science majors. There are SO MANY research opportunities availiable especially for science students that you’ll never have a boring time or summer, that is if you’re looking ot do research instead of work study or summer research. As far as social outlook, I’m genuinely interested in what I want to study and I met a lot of people at wes who are aWESome (sorry, pun i couldn’t resist) and while they like to have fun in their free time they also are intent on doing well and are interested in volunteer work and other stuff.</p>

<p>I honestly don’t know what RLT is talking about. I’ve never heard of it, and I’m pretty sure I don’t plan to either.
If you have any questions at all, PM me. I’ll gladly answer them :-)</p>

9

<p>Don’t listen to him. I’m pretty straight-edge, I swear!]]</p>

<p>LOL-- It was a joke. Your rep is safe :slight_smile: I know you’re a great young man. Why do you think I said I’d introduce you to my daughter and company at Smith?–Not that you need any help :)</p>

10

<p>Haha I know. I just completely forgot what you were talking about.
It should have clicked when I read boat. But it didn’t.</p>

<p>I blame vector calculus!</p>

11

<p>You should be fine. If you want to be an extremely strong applicant, I’d beef those numbers up with some awards, but otherwise yeah, you definitely have a shot. Maybe I’ll see you in a couple years.</p>

12

<p>Thanks everyone for replying!<br>
I’m glad to hear that I might have a chance.<br>
And I’m so jealous that you get to go there next fall! Actually, I’m jealous of anyone that is going to college next fall…since I still have a year of highschool left.</p>

13

<p>I still have 6 weeks of high school left.
Are you going to apply to wes ED?</p>

14

<p>Don’t get jealous of us, dear. We’re going from being the oldest members of our school to being the youngest all over again, and frankly, it sucks. Oh, and just a piece of advice for next year:</p>

<p>If you get waitlisted anywhere, make absolutely bloody sure it’s your first choice before choosing to remain on the list. Otherwise you could be in for a lot of stress for nothing. I learned that when I stayed on the WL at Amherst, believe me.</p>

15

<p>I’m still waitlisted at UChicago…
Not that I really care anymore.
Canaday, WES '10!!!</p>

16

<p>Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with Wesleyan. Yup, very happy.</p>

<p>But I’m still waiting on Harvard.</p>

17

<p>Aww, sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself :-/</p>

18

<p>Why would I need to convince myself that WESLEYAN’s a great school?</p>

19

<p>Because you didn’t return my Wes '10 sentiments ;-P</p>

20

<p>"After looking at some of the other posts around here though, I feel like my transcript is very average. </p>

<p>GPA - 4.0"</p>

<p>Yeah…</p>