<p>^for comparison I will post my Ds stats.
SATs ( old SAT combined) of 1350, higher on the writing end)
GPA 3.3 at a rigorous & competitive prep, school doesn’t offer APs but virtually 100% go on to a four year school within a year or two of graduation- most go to schools like Carleton,Swarthmore, UPenn.
Submitted biology research paper Re: mitrochondrial DNA & essay on " gaydar"- humourous and perceptive writer.
Has learning disabilties- spoke to those challenges as well.
Lowish income, blue collar, first generation college
Community volunteer- well over 2000 hours just at the zoo- also other community participation, mostly as riding instructor, during high school.
Very strong recommendations from instructors and her volunteer supervisior.</p>
<p>Took a year off after high school to work in Americorps, where she did community service full time in challenged schools, including the designated school for homeless elementary students & she taught computer skills to low income minority high school students.</p>
<p>Didn’t apply ED, because financial aid was critical to attend & even though Reed stated that they gave good aid to ED students- we were concerned.</p>
<p>We also visited once before she applied and another time before we heard of acceptances. I have the impression that if you can, visiting is important because Reed/Portland has a certain flavor, that is best experienced in person.</p>
<p>I believe although her class was unranked, she was able to communicate her writing ability and her energy & drive to persist despite challenges. If you * don’t have* challenges like being a minority/low income/1st generation college, it may require more thinking on how to express tenacity- but I think that is something they like to see.</p>