My D's Chances?

[merblajam]

<p>3.65 UW/Top Public H.S. (No. Va.)
5 APs/Remaining class all Honors (AP USH 4; AP French 4)
SAT: 770M 740CR 680W
Subject Tests: 680MathI; 710History
Good recommendations (two AP teachers)
Good essays (IMHO)
ECs (mostly music, but the usual honor societies and a great History-related EC).
Summer job as camp counselor
Professionally recorded music supplement.
Straight teeth and a lovely smile.
Does not need Financial Aid.</p>

<p>Chances:</p>

<p>Wake Forest (w/ extra recommendation from well-connected alum.)
Wellesley
William & Mary</p>

[Insane_Membrane]

<p>wake forest seems like a definate match if not safety.</p>

<p>Wellesley - Math
William and Mary - Match</p>

<p>and send a picture with the app so admissions can see the the straight teeth and lovely smile :).</p>

[theoneo]

<p>In at Wake and WM, iffy about Wellesley.</p>

[aal0ha]

<p>I'm not sure about Wake Forest but I do know that W&M is a reach/match and Wellesley would be a further reach. This year in my school, McLean, my friends who have 3.6/3.7 GPA that have applied early decision to W&M have also been deferred. So I won't put your bet on W&M being a safety. And as for Wellesley, I don't think it could really be a match for anyone unless you have a solid 4.0 GPA and a 2400 SAT. I've looked at Wellesley and unlike the statistics reported by collegeboard.com, their acceptance rate for the class of 2009 in comparison to class of 2008 has decreased from about 60% to 40% for ED and their acceptance rate in general is about 27%.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

[ohio_mom]

<p>I think your D should add a couple of schools. I am also concerned with the GPA and the (relatively) unimpressive SAT II math score - GPA especially at WM. Wake is likely a match - the others would be reaches matches, maybe? Anyway, a couple of likelies would make this this a safer strategy overall. She may well be in at all three (especially if you will be paying full freight) - but weird stuff happened last year with excellent applicants at selective schools. </p>

<p>You need to look at the selectivity of the school pretty carefully - if your D is in the top quartile of mastriculated students AND the school admits at least 50% of students AND there isn't a geographical problem (applying to UNC from out of state, or being overrepresented at a private school) AND the school is a good fit. </p>

<p>One of the parents last year had the nightmare of her son (with really stellar stats) be rejected or WL and rejected from all schools, and at least one of the students I have 'talked' with had the same thing happen. So, I think a small dose of paranoia is in order.</p>

[merblajam]

<p>Thanks for the honest response. My D has been accepted at a large public university w/ an unexpected and v.lg. scholarship, so we know she will go to college. WF is her #1 choice. She was D at UVA. We're trying to manage expectations.</p>

[MarylandMom]

<p>I agree with above - add a few more schools in the safety and match category. I agree that Wake could be a match but I don't think Wake could be anyones safety. Have a freshman D there and it is a tough academic school.</p>

[njmom]

<p>Marylandmom- My son will be attending Wake Forest in the fall- does your daughter find it academically tough? I am a little worried, as the highschool he attends is mediocre, although he is in all ap/honor except math. He does well when he turn it up, if you know what I mean. (this is not 100% of the time, though) I wonder what he is in for at Wake.... any info would be greatly apprectiated! Also, what kind of highschool did your daugter graduate? Was it very rigorous, and was she in the top of her class? Thanks.</p>

[ohio_mom]

<p>merblajam,
Congrats on the scholarship in hand - and best wishes on Wake. This managing expectations bit just rips your heart out, doesn't it? I thank my lucky stars that my son's top choice in the fall was not his top choice when they wl'd him in the spring.</p>

<p>Couple of suggestions. Around the time that midyear grades go out in early 2006, your D may want to send an update letter with whatever awards or what she has acquired since the application went in. Should be very brief, and can go to her regional adrep. </p>

<p>In my son's update letter, he noted (to the school that was his first choice at this point) that they were his first choice. And he copied his GC on it - so that if the school called, the GC would be in a position to be as positive as possible. </p>

<p>Seems like spring is far away - but it will come. Try to enjoy some movies and concerts together over the holidays!</p>

[MarylandMom]

<p>njmom:</p>

<p>Sorry for my delayed response - I have been traveling for business and just got back home. Yes- Wake is an extremely tough academic school but if your son was accepted I am sure he will be able to do the work. My D graduated from a mid-size public high school in Baltimore. She was in the top 5% of her graduating class but was not 1st. This was her first semester and she is heading home for winter break as I type this note. :) Exams are over. She has stressed a great deal through this first semester and has reinforced everything we read about the rigor of the academics at this university. She had taken 12 AP courses in her high school , always taking the most demanding course load and she tells me it is a good thing that she did. I frequently read that it was nicknamed "Work" Forest and I believe it now. But don't worry - if he was accepted he can handle the work load - they seem to know what they are doing when they make the admissions decision. If you have any other questions I'd be happy to help. Good Luck to your son and welcome to Wake!!</p>

[njmom]

<p>Yikes, Marylandmom! My son is in about the top 12-15%, and has taken 5 AP classes, and has only been in regular math classes! His SATs were 1330, (not too much prepping) and he really has never had to "break a sweat" to get good grades. He also works a part-time job and does quite a bit of extras. I hope Wake knows what they are doing! :)!! Thanks for the response, and enjoy your daughter!</p>