Chance to Get In From Just Academics

rockerguyasj
Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:35:55 +0000

The whole weighing standard classes as advanced is not that much common. I have heard once or twice in CC and never in real life and I have friends all across the USA.

IMO, your rigor will hurt you. For example, my school restricts APs but I still managed to take 8 and over 16 honors classes. I also attend a somewhat competitive large public schools. I think they expect students from large schools to have more APs/honors because it is often offered more than so a school that only has 50 per class and only 5 total APs offered.

With the whole “every class is advanced”, I guess they can get a feel for your high school through the School Report. The School Report often states the average GPA for your class, the Average SAT/ACT, % of graduates attending 4 year universities, etc. So, if your school’s averages are much higher than the national average then they probably think your school offers a rigorous curriculum in both College Prep, Honors, and AP classes.

Interviews are NOT mandatory, however strongly ENCOURAGED. Currently they offer three ways to get an interview:


On-Campus interview with an Admissions Officer. This is offered from the summer before your senior year till around late December.
Online Interview Timed Interview. This one is pretty unique. I did it, and pretty much you must answer 6 questions and each are timed 5 minutes. The questions are not easy, one example I had was “Does the 2 Political Party system benefit our Democracy or does it hurt it? Explain why you think it does or does not?” That was probably one of the more easier questions, and again you have only FIVE minutes to answer and proof read it.
Internet Video Chat with Skype. You must have a microphone to do this and pretty much you use Skype and you and the Admission officer conduct an interview online.


Last I heard, only about 1/3 of applicants did an interview of ANY kind. I would recommend to do one, because it shows your interest in the school, and they definitely weigh it quite a bit.