Chance an Art History Major for Top LACS – 32 ACT, Unique ECs (?) [CT resident, 3.98 GPA]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Looking for feedback on all aspects of my application.
Demographics

  • US domestic (US citizen or permanent resident) Domestic, US Citizen.
  • State/Location of residency: * Connecticut, NYC Metropolitan Area.
  • Type of high school *: Top public high school
  • Gender/Race/Ethnicity (optional): Female/White/Irish +Ashkenazi Jewish
  • Other special factors (first generation to college, legacy, athlete, etc.): N/A

Intended Major(s): Art history, history, philosophy.

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores:

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.98
  • Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 4.2
  • Class Rank: School does not rank.
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 32 ACT. 36 Reading, 36 English, 32 Science, 25 Math.

Coursework
Freshman year - Advanced English, regular for everything else. Freshman are not allowed to take APs freshman year, and there are no honors history/humanities courses besides English.

Sophomore - AP Euro (5), Honors World History, English Honors. Regular STEM classes. Sophomores are only allowed to take one AP. Keep in mind for these 4 years I am also taking Latin and arts courses. Unfortunately there are no honors Latin courses.

Junior - AP Bio, AP Lang, APUSH, AP Art History (self-studied). Honors Drawing & Painting. Grade level math (Algebra 2). Took on two independent studies: one in art history and another in contemporary poetry. Also took online courses via Coursera.

Senior - AP Lit, AP Law & Gov. Honors Physics. Might self study AP World and/or AP Art. Continuing my independent study in contemporary poetry, plus helping out with teaching a Sophomore poetry class. Literature and Philosophy elective–unique. My schedule was horrible to figure out this year; very few APs could fit into it. Going to ask my counselor to explain these circumstances.

Awards:

  1. Scholastic Writing Gold Key, Scholastic Writing Honorable Mention x2, Scholastic Art Honorable Mention
  2. School award for top English student in my class
  3. Latin Seal of Biliteracy Advanced level,
  4. National Honors Society, National English Honors Society, National Junior Classical League.
  5. Certificate of Participation (lol) from Harvard Essay Contest.

Extracurriculars

  1. Editor-in-chief of an independent poetry criticism publication. Publish introspective analyses on contemporary poems to cultivate appreciation of the artform. Create analysis contests to draw students to the page.

  2. Volunteer Online Archivist/Transcriber for Library of Congress, The National Archives, The Smithsonian. 350+ contributions.

  3. Volunteering at Local Historical Society and Town Museum

  • Research conducted through Historical Society. Work as a docent and and archivist. Maintain records. Created a research project on a local town eccentric from the 19th/20th century, advisor said I had uncovered knowledge about them that even he did not know despite his research of this person.
  • Currently working on a project that involves recording an oral history of my town. Involves interviewing senior residents/persons of distinguished families and explaining the history surrounding them. Planning to a book to showcase work.

4.Currently working on a personal art history research paper (intentionally vague). Planning to subject to a couple of journals by the end of this summer- Concord Review, et cetera.

  1. Drew portraits for orphans and immigrant children through my school’s Art Club.

  2. Volunteer assistant educator for a children’s program at local nature center. Create/execute educational sessions about the care of animals and nature.

  3. Volunteered at local youth center. My main responsibility was to supervise the kids as to ensure their safety and cultivate an environment of inclusivity and respect. At least 70+ hours, did not record hours properly.

  4. I don’t know whether to mention this stuff on my CommonApp. I draw, paint and I read a lot in my free time. Last year I read 50 books. I am also a Wikipedia editor.

Essays/LORs/Other
Essays:

  1. Have not written essays yet. Topics I’m thinking about include elaborating on the value of my transcription/archivist work to wanting to grow up be a nun when I was a kid (I was not raised religious whatsoever). Really difficult for me to settle on an idea but I know I can write well. If anyone has advice, let me know!

LORs :

  1. Junior English teacher - Not written yet, said I was the best student in his class, and one of the best writers he’s ever taught. He offered to write a letter of rec for me before I even asked or thought about it. Seems very eager to write my letter; says it won’t be a difficult write for him at all as he has a lot to say about me. Presumably going to be a good if not great letter.

  2. Advisor to my independent study of contemporary poetry - He’s the head of the English department and I have known him since middle school. He knows me very personally. Thinks I am very capable and entrusts me with a lot of official tasks and responsibilities (having me teach some of his poetry class next year, had me make educational materials for a school literature abroad program). Think he will be able to speak to my personality quite well.

  3. Guidance counselor - Not super close, but I’m definitely closer to her than most students. I bake her cookies and give her a thank you note every year. Knows how frustrated I am with limited course rigor.

Additional Info
Throughout freshman and sophomore year, I struggled a lot with symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis. I experience less symptoms now. Not sure whether I should mention this or not.

Cost Constraints / Budget: High income family/top 1%. Will not be receiving financial aid, have a 529 plan to pay for college.

Schools
Ultra-Reaches: Wellesley [likely ED], Williams, Swarthmore, Brown, UChicago, Middlebury

Reaches - Wesleyan, Vassar, Washington and Lee, Colgate, Smith, Haverford (uncle legacy?).

Targets: Bryn Mawr (aunt legacy?), University of Rochester, Mount Holyoke, George Washington University, Kenyon, Skidmore

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Did I miss it…have you taken chem? And no math or foreign language senior year? You don’t need to be self studying…cover off that basics of a college prep HS curriculum instead…

Where are the safeties? Your list looks great, a little long but you can trim. But the rock solid safety/sure bets seem to be missing…

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I did not list every single course I have ever taken, only ones I thought would be notable or pertaining to my major. I took chemistry sophomore year as is standard for my school. I am continuing Latin senior year, and I am taking precalc for math as well. With my senior schedule accounted for, I have completed my schools requirements for the core subjects, which aligns with the requirements of a majority of colleges.
I am partially coming to this forum to ask for recommendations for safeties.

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IMHO, not sure your targets are true targets in this current world of crazy admissions. It is a long list, and I know you didn’t ask for additional recommendations, but might I suggest you look at Oberlin? Sounds a lot like what you’re looking for (you sound like a great fit for the school), with a GREAT art history department. My daughter was an art history major (had similar stats and interests as you) and graduated last year. She was hooked up, through Oberlin, for a fully paid (including rent, travel, spending $) art gallery internship in NYC the summer before senior year, and had an art gallery job offer in NYC before she even graduated, again through Oberlin alumni connections. They also have a world-renowned art museum on campus, where you can docent, work, etc. It’s an incredibly smart, creative, inclusive environment. It’s often referred to as Wesleyan with a soundtrack.

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Delaware…top program in the country for museum studies (not art History per se but related). Muhlenberg?

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I was also going to suggest Oberlin. Bard and Conn College might also be of interest and are easier admits.

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I’ve thought about Oberlin before. I’d have to do more research and probably conduct a campus visit. It’s a little difficult to make conjecture as very, very few students from my school have ever applied to Oberlin, so I’m definitely unfamiliar.

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Beloit could be a good safety.

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Great idea. Lovely place with academic rigor and nice kids!

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For some schools you might need two teacher recs (preferably grade 11-12). I only see one. An advisor is not a teacher.

Your math ACT is an issue - can you take again and focus just on that. You may consider TO at your ultra reaches.

I think you need more targets - I am worried about your ACT. Sure, you can get into your targets but I’m not 100% confident.

Or put another way, what are your safeties?

Clark, Rhodes, Gettysburg, Dicksinson, Depauw type schools.

Since you have GW, you might look at Syracuse too - although bigger than what you’re looking at. Make sure with GW you express interest.

I think overall you are way over calibrating here - just my opinion.

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There is a VERY large NYC, Boston, LA/Bay area (East Coast/West Coast metropolises) contingent there. It’s 30 minutes from Cleveland, which is a very cool, cultural city with lots of art/musical offerings. Oberlin runs a regular shuttle there. Definitely suggest you take a closer look. Truly sounds right up your alley. Most of my daughter’s friends from Oberlin are from NYC or LA/Bay area. ALL of them now live/work in NYC, so they all see each other all the time, which is awesome. LMK if you have any questions!

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I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean by “over calibrating.” Can you explain what you mean that? Do you think my stats aren’t good enough and I’m over-focusing on ECs? I know my ACT is bad, the math especially. When I last checked the ACT website they didn’t list any dates I could attend. During the July test period I will be out of the country. I’m scared I won’t have an opportunity to fix it.

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Sorry - I think your list is too reach-y.

I think your targets are possible - but I’m hopeful you have two schools that are assured.

I don’t see that - at least in my estimation.

With your ACT, you can go TO - and at LACs it’s still ok. But given many schools no longer allow TO, who knows if the LACs will take that into account.

You should really focus on the math and see if you can raise it 3-4 points. IMHO.

But I’m just saying - your most important school is the safety - and you don’t seem to have one. That’s what I’d like to see you add - two of them.

btw - I also thought of Beloit before - from comments on this website. But I don’t see an Art History major - maybe someone can correct me.

Good luck.

Majors & Minors • Academics • Beloit College

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If you’re in a top 1% family attending a top public high school, talk with your guidance counselor about your chances for admission to the schools on your list, as the counselor will probably be best placed to chance you. If your school has Scoir/Naviance, use that, too. That said, below are my guesses as to what your chances might be at the schools on your list.

Extremely Likely (80-99+%)

Likely (60-79%)

  • George Washington (if you have shown a lot of demonstrated interest)

Toss-Up (40-59%)

  • Bryn Mawr

  • Kenyon

  • Skidmore

  • Mount Holyoke

  • U. of Rochester

Lower Probability (20-39%)

  • Colgate

  • Smith

  • Washington & Lee

  • Wellesley (ED)

Low Probability (less than 20%)

  • Brown

  • Middlebury

  • Swarthmore

  • U. Chicago

  • Vassar

  • Wellesley (non-ED)

  • Wesleyan

  • Williams

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I think Beloit did a renaming of some departments in the last couple of years. I think their art history is now under the broader Museum Studies umbrella. Their website still has a requirement checklist for the Art History major, describes a professor as an endowed chair of Art History, and awards a named prize to students for “Excellence in Art History.”

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Do you think applying to Wellesley ED is worth it? Or would I be better off ED-ing somewhere else?

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If you love Wellesley and won’t have regrets about letting everything else go… Do it! But not because you think you should…do it if it’s your top choice.

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Some schools that are likelier admits that you may want to consider include:

Extremely Likely (80-99+%)

  • Drew (NJ)

  • Loyola Chicago (IL)

  • St. Lawrence (NY)

  • SUNY Geneseo

  • SUNY New Paltz

  • U. of Mary Washington (VA)

  • Wheaton (MA)

Likely (60-79%)

  • Binghamton (NY)

  • Clark (MA)

  • Gettysburg (PA )

Toss-Up (40-59%)

  • Brandeis (MA)

Lower Probability (20-39%)

Low Probability (less than 20%)

You should only apply ED if the following are true:

  1. It is your clear first choice college
  2. It is affordable for your family
  3. You don’t care about hearing from other schools, including whether other schools might offer you a significant merit award

Condition #1 means that you shouldn’t need to debate about whether it is better to ED to School A or School B. Only one of them can be your clear first choice. And if you can’t decide which is your top choice, then it’s not a clear first choice (hence, no ED).

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I loved Wellesley when I visited it. I would be happy to attend there, I wouldn’t care if other schools got back to me or not if I got accepted. My only reason for hesitation to ED-ing there is because I am afraid I do not have a strong enough application to even be considered. I’m worried I’m just dreaming, that maybe I should ED somewhere else to be practical.

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People have said that you need to have some safeties and that you have a reach-heavy list. That is 100% true. That does not mean, however, that you’re not a strong applicant. You are a strong applicant, which means that your application will be given full consideration at any school on your list.

Most of the schools on your list, however, are amongst the most competitive in the country for admission. The majority of their applicants are strong applicants, but they will only have enough space to take 5-20% of them. Thus, it’s not a knock on you that the schools aren’t likely or extremely likely admits. It’s just that those schools are extraordinarily popular with very strong applicants.

So, if Wellesley is your clear #1 school and you don’t care if a school on your list came back to you offering you a full tuition scholarship, and if Wellesley is affordable for your family, if you want to ED, by all means go on ahead.

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