Wesleyan's Approach To Non Letter Graded High School?

Colleges & Universities Wesleyan University
1

<p>My son graduated from a progressive Charter School which uses teacher evaluations in lieu of letter grades. These evaluations are then distilled into a narrative transcript for college application purposes. The school itself offers a supportive and innovative educational environment with an emphasis on analytical rigor, intellectual inquiry, personalized instruction, and revision of work if neccessary until the required standard is met or exceeded.</p>

<p>The school is small (50 students per year) and for this reason (as well as the underlying educational philosophy) there are no AP or Honors classes. There are also limited clubs and ECs (though my son has started several).</p>

<p>My son’s other application components are strong (SAT reading 760, writing 800, math 710), Literature and Bio subject tests in the mid 700s, super positive recs, much volunteering, international travel, submittable artwork, etc.</p>

<p>He is currently taking a Gap Year working in an internationally recognized university science (physics) lab as a paid researcher.</p>

<p>I would very much appreciate any input on how Wesleyan (and other LACs) tend to evaluate candidates from non-traditional/non letter graded schools. Is there simply a greater emphasis on other variables? Does Wesleyan have adcom member(s) that handle “non traditional” schools?</p>

<p>His lack of grades makes it especially difficult to calibrate where to apply and what his chances generally are.</p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>I wouldn’t sweat it. Teacher evaluations can be read; in some ways they are even better from the adcom’s POV than teacher recommendations, which tend to be a tad biased. Wesleyan itself has had a long experience with non-traditional grading in the form of its College of Social Studies (CSS) and College of Letters (COL) programs.</p>

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<p>Thanks. That’s helpful and provides some perspective.</p>

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<p>you’re definitely not the only one coming from such a high school, so I’d ask the admissions office directly if there’s anything extra in particular they’d want to see.</p>

5

<p>May I ask what high school your student attended? I am in the midst of researching non-traditional grading systems for my school. Thanks.</p>

6

<p>I would also strongly recommend a face-to-face interview at Wesleyan’s admission office. Aside from the personal essay, it is the most productive and effective way for an applicant to communicate who they are, what they have done and why they should be at Wesleyan. Don’t try to contact them early this week, though–there is almost a total blackout in Middletown now–over 93% of the community without power at this moment. (For Wes parents and family who live outside Connecticut, your student can get a free lunch at Usdan between 2-4 pm today.)</p>