Do I stand a chance at getting into Amherst or Vassar?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>I apologize if this is in the wrong subforum. I’m new to this website and the forums are a bit…cluttered. </p>

<p>Anyway, I really want to get into Amherst or Vassar depending on what I decide to add to my current major (Mathematics). </p>

<p>My situation is not typical; I never went to high school. In its stead, I have attended classes at my local community college since the age of 14 (I am 16 as of now). </p>

<p>My current GPA is currently 2.9, as my clinical depression hit an extreme low for a good year or so of classes. By the time I’m 18 my GPA will be at least a 3.0, however I think it is possible to raise it to a 3.5. </p>

<p>By the time I am 18, I will have taken enough math classes to have an Associate’s in Math (I might even have the actual Associate’s, but I have to check the requirements and my projected classes), four English classes (Mythology, English 1, English 2, and Creative Writing), at least three science classes (Biology, Physics, and Chemistry), and several electives (Painting, possibly a Drama class, possibly the second Painting class, possibly more). </p>

<p>My extracurricular activities are lacking, as I live in an area that doesn’t have many opportunities for out of school activities. I volunteered for three years on the Teen Conference Committee, which is a planning organization that plans and puts together the entire teen portion of the California Homeschooling Conference (Website [here](<a href=“http://www.hscconference.com/]here[/url]”>http://www.hscconference.com/)</a>), and I am planning on volunteering at both a community center and a wildlife rescue (The latter has an age requirement of 17+, hence the wait).</p>

<p>I will also be taking the SATs and ACT, and while I am aiming to score 700s to high 700s and 30s to high 30s respectively, I cannot be sure that I will reach such scores as I suffer from clinical anxiety. However, for the sake of accurate advise, I would appreciate if you could give two sets of advice: One that operates under the assumption that I reach these scores, and one that operates under the assumption that I do not.</p>

<p>To reiterate, my question is as follows: Do I stand a chance of getting into Vassar or Amherst College? If not, what should I do of increasing my chances?</p>

2

<p>What are my chances of getting into Vassar?
I’m a sophomore, male, and I go to a well known private school near Cleveland Ohio that has a good reputation among colleges. I am agnostic and pretty relaxed. I enjoy reading, rock climbing, hanging out with friends. I consider myself to be smart, and above all, I am an intellectual person.
I accelerated in science and am taking Honors Physics as a sophomore in a class of Juniors
I am taking an extra class, Computer Science
I am also a drummer in my school’s Jazz band
theses are my classes</p>

<p>English 10
Honors Physics
Math 2 Honors (highest math available)
Chinese 2
Jazz Band
Computer Science
Western Civilization 10</p>

<p>Junior - year I will take AP Biology, AP Computer Science, maybe another English Course, and Chinese 3, in addition to the other required classes
Senior Year - AP Chemistry and a few other electives in science, an english course</p>

<p>Last year I had a 3.56 GPA, this year I am aiming for a 3.5-3.6</p>

<p>Extra Curricular</p>

<p>Mock Trial
Science Olympiad (I am one of five captains, the rest are seniors, and there are about 40 kids in science olympiad)
Academic Challenge
Anderson Scholars - this is the most important, out of each class, 5 kids are chosen to pursue research in science, I am doing independent research with a Neurosurgeon at University Hospitals (University is the name of the area), I can also get funding from the school, and at the end of my senior year, I can get my work published in a scientific journal or present it to a panel of experts.</p>

<p>Community Service
My school tutors kids at a local inner-city school once a month, and I am going to do independent volunteering at Habitat for Humanity
I am working on some sor of fundraiser for a worthy cause I can do independently </p>

<p>Other
I rock climb twice a week
Political Essay Contest
film club
school newspaper writer
maybe next year, speech and debate?</p>

<p>SAT
my current score is about 1900, but I am just a sophomore, I am aiming for a 2100, but I may get even higher</p>

<p>Summers
last summer I did a 3 week course in Neuroscience at Brown University
this summer I am doing independent research at University Hospitals
Next summer I am not sure, I may do a Cleveland Clinic, paid internship that lets me do more research with doctors and see patients, but I may or may not get accepted to the internship</p>

<p>I am a down to earth, fun-loving guy with a passion for science. I have a lot of friends and adapt well to new environments. I have a real passion for neuroscience, and my career path is to be a neurosurgeon.</p>

<p>Vassar and Middlebury are my two top choices right now.</p>