What are my chances at Oberlin or St. John's Maryland?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Junior
GPA: 3.5 UW, 3.6 W

GRADE 9 SEMESTER 1
Honors CCSS Eng Lang Arts I A
Honors CCSS Math II A
Modern World History B+
Orchestra A
Physical Science A-
Spanish 2 A
Wellness Through Dance A
Credit: 3.250 GPA: 3.846 U/W GPA: 3.846

GRADE 9 SEMESTER 2
Honors CCSS Eng Lang Arts I A
Honors CCSS Math II B+
Independent Study Art P
*Latin 1 A
Modern World History A-
Orchestra A+
Physical Science B+
Spanish 2 A
The Greeks A-
Credit: 4.500 GPA: 3.778 U/W GPA: 3.778

GRADE 10 SEMESTER 1
American History A
AP English Language A
Chemistry A-
General Art A-
Honors Biology A
Honors CCSS Math III A-
*Latin 2 C
Orchestra A+
Credit: 4.000 GPA: 3.875 U/W GPA: 3.750

GRADE 10 SEMESTER 2
American History A
AP English Language B+
Chemistry B
Drawing 2 C-
Honors Biology A-
Honors CCSS Math III B+
Independent Study Autism Education P
*Latin 2 D
Orchestra A+
Credit: 3.500 GPA: 3.393 U/W GPA: 3.286

GRADE 11 SEMESTER 1
American Government A
AP Biology C
AP English Literature Composition B
AP Studio Art:2D Design C-
Financial Literacy A-
Honors Pre-Calc/COTC MATH 150 D
Credit: 3.000 GPA: 3.000 U/W GPA: 2.667

*Flex credited this class because it didn’t work with my schedule. The only resource I had was a textbook. I attended no classes. Very bad idea.

EC:
Science Olympiad: Sophomore, Junior; 3rd place in the region for Anatomy and Physiology
Junior State of America: Sophomore, Junior; Media Specialist for my school and for my “state” which includes five states across the country
Tri-M: Sophomore, Junior
Pit Orchestra: Sophomore, second chair violinist
Chamber Orchestra: Sophomore
Quartet: Sophomore

Jobs:
2 Part time jobs at once; 24-28 hrs/wk
Bussing tables at restaurant
Cashier at book store

70 volunteer hours in various things (will bring this up)

Basically, I got burnt out and lazy around the end of my sophomore year and the beginning of my junior year. It was a combination of doing way too much, feeling mentally depressed, and realizing that Oberlin and St. John’s were way too expensive for me. Frankly, I didn’t know why I was working so hard for schools I couldn’t go to even if I got in.

I’ve thought a lot about myself and who I want to be over winter break and I want to turn my life around. I did drop AP Biology and took 2 English electives in its place since I want to be an English major and not a science major. I did not enjoy AP Biology as a class because of its robotic and repetitive teaching style and am thriving in my two electives. So far I have straight A’s this semester and hope to keep it this way except for maybe math class because I struggle the most with this.

I’ve become more educated on financial aid and realized that it is possible to be able to afford these schools if you push hard enough. Is it too late to change things? I hate the fact that the beginning of my adult life is being so highly impacted by the lazy person I was at 15/16 years old.

I haven’t taken the ACT and SAT yet. I did fairly well on a practice test I took, however time is a huge issue for me. I’ll update this once I take those and have my scores. I hope to get a 28-30 on my first try and bring it up from there.

I am graduating early my senior year to intern or study abroad my second semester and I will have all the credits I need to graduate by the end of this year.

What can I do in the summer to help make up for my bad grades?

Although I love these schools, are there any other very small, liberal arts school with alternative education approaches that are cheaper and more geared towards my grades if I don’t make it into/can’t afford Oberlin or St. John’s?

Thanks!

2

Maybe Earlham would work.

3

A few thoughts. First of all you don’t seem like a strong candidate for Oberlin at all. I wish I had better news but with grades like Cs and Ds you will be up against much stronger candidates, especially if you’re looking to have them give you a lot of aid. My daughter had top grades and a 33 ACT and she didn’t need any aid (she got merit). Oberlin is pretty challenging academically and they might not want to take a chance on someone who gave up mid-way in high school. You don’t mention if you’re female or male but if you’re male that might be a slight nod in your favor with Oberlin. If you’re female (and not URM) then I would 100% look elsewhere.

For St. John’s they accept about 70% of applicants so there is a good possibility you will get in there. My daughter visited St. John’s (we live in MD) and hated it but I had thought she would love it. Just make sure you like the feel of the place and that you are really excited about their Great Books curriculum. My daughter was a top Latin student and very cerebral but just didn’t like the very structured (no choice) curriculum there. It’s in Annapolis so it’s a beautiful spot - so that’s a bonus.

If you’re looking for schools further down the selectivity chain that have good English departments I am sure you can find them so don’t worry! One that my daughter liked on paper was Knox College and they give good merit and financial aid. If you want to be in Maryland, St. Mary’s College in Maryland has a good reputation as well.

Best of luck!

4

Hi, are you still in the running for these two schools? For St. John’s the most important thing is your essay - not stats.
You won’t be able to sleep walk through this school even at the application stage. If you have a great desire, or need, to read Great Books - and you can explain why - you have a good chance. In case you did get in, I suggest you visit this school. St. John’s is not for everyone. For the right student, St. John’s can truly change his or her life.

5

I just noticed you are still a junior and haven’t yet taken SAT/ACT. During this summer, see if you can enroll at St. John’s summer program. St. John’s is all discussion based; no lectures. ( https://www.sjc.edu/summer-academy ). St. John’s will not care about your stats. The most important thing about St. John’s is that you need to want to read Great Books - and you need to know why.

There are no mistakes in life. There is no one way of living. Put that behind you and move forward. When I was at your age, I wanted to go to St. John’s. I got in with nearly fully aid - but decided against going there. Flash forward to today. My daughter who is a year or two older than you is in Oberlin. I encourage you to explore St. John’s (and Oberlin and others.)