Finding colleges that fit me & Improving my application as a Junior

College Search & Lists
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<p>Hi all. I’m just beginning the second marking period of my Junior year at high school, and I’m finally starting to really think about where I want to end up going to college and what I want to end up doing with my life. Admittedly, I haven’t really looked at many colleges at all yet, because I’m not quite sure what I’m looking for, but that being said, I am currently pretty enraptured by what I’m reading about Vassar College. I’m going to search for more colleges on my own, but I was wondering if anyone could offer any input as to colleges that are similar. As far as majors and minors, I am, at least currently, extremely interested in studying a branch of psychology, english, and music.</p>

<p>After being so amazed by what Vassar offers, I searched to look at exactly what type of student they accept, and I’m admittedly extremely humbled and intimidated by some of the applications people on this site asking if they have a chance, seeing polygots scoring fours and fives on multitudinous AP tests that they didn’t even take classes for. I’m still planning on applying next year - perhaps even early decision, depending on what other colleges pop up - even if my application is sub par compared to what I’ve read. And having said and seen all of that, I figure that I can improve upon my application within the next year so that I stand a better chance at not only Vassar, but other institutions that interest me as I further search-.</p>

<p>I’m a male who goes to a mediocre public school in the middle of nowhere.
GPA: 3.7 unweighted, 4.0+(?) weighted
ACT score: Haven’t taken it yet. Will at next opportunity.
SAT score: Haven’t taken it yet. Will at next opportunity.
Weighted, my class rank is 40/266, which is at roughly 15%. I’m not sure what it is unweighted.</p>

<p>My schedule was filled to the brim with AP and honors classes (besides math which was CP, albeit a year advanced of the typical student in my grade) every year except this one, in which I took a study hall in place of Honors Spanish 4, because it conflicted with AP Physics and AP music theory. The lack of a language this year, however, I learned from this site is a big red flag for those liberal art colleges like Vassar. So, to rectify this (please tell me if this is a rational idea) I’m planning on either studying Spanish 4 this year and over the summer independently and testing into Spanish 5, or asking my middle school for a transcript that says I took Spanish one, or both, or simply taking Spanish 4 next year, depending on what my guidance counselor says. schedule: [schedule</a> - ■■■■■■■■■■■■](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■■■■■■/5DmmbKxp]schedule”>http://■■■■■■■■■■■■/5DmmbKxp)</p>

<p>Extra-curriculars somehow affiliated with school:
-2 years of mock trial
-1 year of jazz band (this year, and will also be doing it next year)
-Won and placed in several national/regional writing contests since 8th grade, planning on entering more both affiliated and not affiliated with the school
(pretty mediocre ecs, I know.)</p>

<p>Outside of school:
-4 years of private guitar instruction which is still ongoing
-4 years of private drum instruction which is still ongoing
-2 years of private vocal instruction which is still onging
-Am reasonably proficient/intermediate on a few other instruments
-Will possibly start proper lessons for a fourth instrument
-Have released numerous musical compositions (does this even count? portfolio?)
-Will be shortly starting a self study in a language and perhaps private language lessons or an online course for college credit (not Spanish)</p>

<p>Once I get my license, I plan on doing some volunteer work around my community in my spare time.</p>

<p>so, basically…
-Can anyone recommend any liberal arts colleges, or colleges in general in a similar vein to Vassar, especially for someone looking to do major and minor work in psychology, english and music?
-I assume that, as it stands, my application is breathtakingly average if not slightly above average, at least for someone planning to apply to colleges of the caliber of Vassar. How can I improve upon it over the course of the next year?</p>

<p>Thanks for your time and for reading.</p>

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<p>You DO sound like a great fit for Vassar! Visit if you can, and request an interview when you apply (they don’t require them, but you can ask to interview on their site). Go on one of their prospective student visits if you are able to as well. Vassar likes early shown interest, so visit sooner (note date you visited and faculty you met since they ask about this in the supplement). Take advantage of the “my space” part of their supplement (never leave that blank!). </p>

<p>Other schools to consider:
-Oberlin
-Wesleyan
-Kenyon
-Brown
-Macalester
-Carleton
-Grinnell</p>

<p>Request a transcript from you HS and see if the middle school Spanish grades are already included. Our school district lists the middle school grades for languages, math, and humanities, on the High School transcript so Spanish may already be on yours. One thing you might want to look into is taking Spanish as “dual enrollment” through your local community college. Talk to your guidance counselor and see what options you have to take cc coursework that will be accepted as HS credit? Or, simply having cc credit would be good too. If you didn’t take it this year due to scheduling difficulties, you can mention that in app.</p>

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<p>Look into Amherst College, Bard College, Williams College, and Wesleyan University.</p>

<p>Sent from my myTouch<em>4G</em>Slide using CC App</p>

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<p>Would your middle school transcript matter? Usually, with language courses, the level you completed matters. It is still better to have completed level 4 or 5 than level 3, though.</p>