Where I'm currently at in the college admissions process

Applying to College
1

Ok. So I’ll be entering my senior year in T-35 days. There’s a lot spinning through my head right now preparing for applying to colleges and honestly it’s very stressful. So I want to write my current attitude, plans, and timeline for my applications here to kind of grasp in my mind where I’m at and welcome any tips and suggestions from anyone who takes the time to read it.
I’ll try not to make it too long.

Firstly, I plan on majoring in physics, with a focus in astrophysics.

So I go to this small rural school. There are not many opportunities to stand out in a way that will get me into top colleges. There’s a bare minimum amount of AP courses to be taken, not very many clubs, etc. Including my senior year courseload, I will have taken 6 total APs. ( US Gov (3), Lang (4), Reading, Physics C, Calc AB, Psych). I’ve maintained a steady 3.95 weighted GPA the past three years and I am expecting I’ll keep it this year too (let’s hope). I’m active in student council, youth in government. My school took away NHS for funding reasons but replaced it with a smaller “equivalent” and I am a part of that and will be trying for a leadership position this year. Most notably I founded and am the president of my school’s astronomy club. I also have been involved in ballet since I was 5, and am a camp counselor that helps teach the STEM sessions at the camp. As for standardized testing, I am currently at a 27 on the ACT, will not be submitting my SAT score as it was kind of low. I will be a first generation college student, and a female. I’m in the top 5% of my class (school does not have a valedictorian system)

My current college list is: Kenyon College, Case Western, Oberlin, Cornell University, University of Chicago, University of Rochester. Probably will apply to OU and/or OSU just as safeties. Still researching others. My view is that UChicago and Cornell are definite reaches, Kenyon and Case are my favorite in-state schools that I think I have more of a shot of getting into. The others are ones I like but haven’t toured yet. And I’m still searching for more.

Kenyon is my favorite school. I’ve toured it, talked privately with a couple of the professors and actually have it arranged to get in touch through the school year to correspond activities with my astronomy club. I plan on scheduling an interview more in the fall.

Ok, so my goal is to get a 30 or higher on the ACT. I do think I can do it but I have to buckle down and study. I realistically do not have the money to invest in a good study program or hire a tutor, so I’m mostly relying on internet sources. I’m going to sign up to take the ACT on September 8, with the mindset of getting the highest score I can.

For Cornell CAS I need 2 SAT IIs. I plan on taking some combination of English, Math 1 (or 2) and Spanish. I don’t know when I am going to take them, I just know I have to take them at some point, depending on whether I apply ED or RD to Cornell (Cornell is the only school so far on my list that requires subject tests).

So I think I want to apply to Kenyon ED because I think I could have a decent shot at getting in, and I definitely love it there. But at the same time, I LOVE Cornell, and I always had it in my head to apply ED there. However, I don’t want to mess up my shot with Kenyon ED by applying to Cornell ED which I know will be a high reach for me. I think I should wait to see what my ACT score is after the September test date and base it partly on that. All the other schools, I might apply EA to the ones that offer it, or else just wait for the RD deadline.

The main thing other than the ACT I want to focus on is my essay. I think that will definitely be a deciding factor in whether I get into the colleges on my list. I’ve been trying to start prompts now but I have to admit I am struggling. I know I will get there in the end. I am known to be a great writer, I just really need to work on a way to convey my story. My problem mostly is self-doubt; I haven’t had any amazing academic opportunities. I think I need to convey the fact that I live in a secluded area where I haven’t been able to showcase anything academically. I’m also considering taking the risk and just pleading my case, but I don’t think I will end up doing this (thoughts, anyone?)

ALSO, financially… I come from a low middle-class family. Realistically, my parents probably will not be able to contribute much at all. That’s definitely a struggle. For Kenyon, we talked about our situation with some admissions officers and they told us that if I am accepted, there are a lot of resources other than loans, and they offer great financial aid (their words). If my package isn’t big enough for my family to afford, I can plead with the financial aid office to get more, and there are programs too. So I’m hoping if I get in there I will have the opportunity to go there without drowning in debt and putting my parents into debt too. As for the other schools, I haven’t looked entirely into it, other than searching for how good their aid generally is. I really really don’t want to end up going to a safety school for financial reasons.

I think that’s it for now. I know it’s long but if you did read this, I’d really appreciate any tips regarding ANYTHING. Any colleges you think could be a good school for me, things that worked for you if you went through anything I have, any common app essay help, applying ED vs RD, etc etc. I welcome anything :slight_smile:

Thanks!

2

You sound motivated and thoughtful. The test scores do matter and are an indicator of your academic preparation and general abilities. If you get into a rigorous school because you are “first generation” you could seriously struggle academically. I also question astrophysics as a course of study for someone with a 27 ACT. Further you may want to consider subject tests in line with your planned course of study. I suggest you select some safety schools that better match your combination of grades and scores. Just in case You may be successful with some of the schools you mentioned but then again you may not.

3

A lot of top private university have the “need base grant”, which is like s scholarship. Your top choices, Chicago, Cornell, and Case, all have 100% need base grants. Not sure about others.

Now the bad news, you are probably a stretch for Case, and long stretch for Chicago and Cornell.

You need alot of digging, and quickly, to finalize your college plans. Also a lot of good advices.

If you are from low income family, you can apply for SAT test waiver and apply to many colleges for free. But again, alot of those 100 need base grants are very very very selective.

Good luck to you.

4

Why not Calc bc instead of ab with physics bc? Especially if choosing physics as a field. Yes, you need to get the ACT up and it can be done. My son had to take it a few times to get to a 34. He started at a 27. It can be done.

Some schools don’t take weighted also so check for that.

Being from a small rural area is a large advantage for you. Being female, first in family to go to college is a plus also…

Write an amazing interesting, unique, essay. Check naviance if your school has it to see what others from your school Got accepted to and with what stats.

Have some good safeties.

Show interest. If you can’t visit write to your regional high school counselor from each school. Ask questions about your program. Let them know you want to go to their school.

5

U Chicago is now test optional. I would do that route and apply early action. However you really might not want to go to a school with that level of rigor because of the prestigious name. It is known to be rough and tough academically on purpose.

And perhaps in a better funded college environment and with the time to take some refresher level courses you would have better results. And astrophysics may be in the cards. It’s hard to know based on the description of your high school whether or not it is fair to look at your scores and assign your capabilities.

6

Thanks for the thoughts so far. I know physics may seem like an odd choice. But nothing can take away how I feel when I look into a clear night sky. I know, in my heart that I want to study physics. Part of the reason why I didn’t perform well on the ACT is that I didn’t prepare enough for it. Also, I do not perform well under time. If I were given all the ACT questions with no time limit I could score pretty high. I haven’t been able to invest in any good study programs or anything of the sort to really do well. Of course, this shouldn’t be an excuse. But nevertheless, it’s the situation so I have to deal with it as best as possible :slight_smile:

7

Yes ACT is a fast test. Do you have any accommodations at your school like with a 504 or IEP? If you do, you can apply for extended time for the ACT but would have to act fast. They can even give it over two days time. FYI

8

@Knowsstuff I would love to take Calc BC but I can’t because I haven’t taken AB yet. Unfortunately, the way my school system works is that you’re placed into a certain math class in 6th grade based on scores from elementary. I hated math in elementary and middle, didn’t perform well so I was placed into the “lower” class. So, the way my possible math track went didn’t allow me to take Calc AB until senior year. So Calc BC is pretty much out of the cards. I didn’t know until too late that it would have been possible to take Calc AB online so that I could then take BC this year along with Physics C.

sighs

Thanks for the motivation though. I really do want to improve my ACT. And I do agree that I think being a first gen female from a rural area interested in science might help :slight_smile:

Edit: As far as I know my school does not offer any of those accommodations. But I’ll look into it! Thanks

9

Get this :https://www.amazon.com/Book-Practice-Problems-Manhattan-Prep/dp/194123450X

Holy Grail of ACT test problems. The trick is to study your weakness and improve your strengths. Math and science scores should be your focus but study all subjects. Do a real practice full length test every Saturday including this Saturday for practice. That means you wake up, shower , eat breakfast, go to a quiet room or library quiet room by the actual test time. Time yourself with a watch or smartphone with a timer. Then put yourself on a schedule for during the week. This is the book my sons ACT tutor used. We just used him a few times to narrow down stuff. Warning it’s actually like 6-7 pounds… Lol… You can find full tests online and different study books have those… Maybe your library has them? You can do this!

10

The school doesnt offer the accommodations you apply to the College Board or the ACT and you qualify for them OR dont based on a medically diagnosed disability. Being slow isnt a disability. At this point you will not get accommodations–it will be view skeptically as it should be.

11

I was just pointing this out incase she already had accommodations with her school then she could apply through the college board. Many don’t know they can use their extended time they have been using in school for the ACT or Sat. Being slow of course would not apply but having a brain processing issues that made her slower would.

Practicing as I suggest would actually speed her up.

12

@Center Good to know! I didn’t know that there even was such a thing as getting accommodations for the ACT.

@Knowsstuff As far as I know I don’t have any brain issues or anything of the sorts. I’m just a very methodical person; to see an answer to something I have to work through each step. Which I don’t have time to do on the ACT :slight_smile:

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@Knowsstuff Also thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely look into the book.

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Accommodations are only for those with a diagnosed disability.

OSU is not a safety with a 27 ACT, it’s a match. Although I’m sure your class rank will help with admissions.

OU is a safety, apply for their honors college.

Cincinnati has good STEM programs too, as well as Case Western, which you listed.

Like you, I’m in the same boat. 28 ACT, hoping to get to at least a 31. Although my situation is a bit different, I’m applying for engineering and those stats are always above the average ACT scores for a college, which makes it difficult.

15

@astromae2001 this is why I am suggesting what I did. My son had the same issue with the test. He needs the time to go through the process. The practicing with the book helped him to speed up. We had sessions just to work on the speed part. He knew how to do the math. With not that much time to go practicing is key. He would do 30 problems in a times test. Then shorten the time for the next 30 and so on. It does work.

16

@equationlover Thanks for the insight! The reason I say OSU as a safety is because I have seen a ton of people from my school with wayyy lower stats than I have get in. But you’re right, it probably is still a match for me. I’ll look into OU’s honor college and maybe Cincinnati. I just cringe going to a large state school like any of these three lol. If I may ask, what schools are you looking to apply to?

17

This article might give you some ideas about schools: http://www.collegerank.net/amazing-college-observatories/

There are a few on there that are test-optional and also meet full documented need. Union is one that could be a great addition to your list.
https://www.union.edu/academic/majors-minors/astronomy/

https://www.union.edu/academic/majors-minors/dance/

Bryn Mawr, which is paired with Haverford and would have full access to Haverford’s observatory and astronomy/astrophysics programs (plus cross-reg with Swarthmore and UPenn) could be a great school to look at. http://www.brynmawr.edu/catalog/2017-18/areas_of_study/astronomy.html
Nice dance program too. https://www.brynmawr.edu/dance/

Here is the full list of schools that are test optional and meet full need:
UChicago (IL)
Bowdoin College (ME)
Smith College (MA)
Wesleyan University (CT)
Bates College (ME)
Bryn Mawr ¶
College of the Holy Cross (MA)
Pitzer College (CA)
Mount Holyoke College (MA)
Skidmore College (NY)
Trinity College (CT)
Union College (NY)
Dickinson College ¶
Whitman College (WA)
Franklin and Marshall College ¶
Connecticut College (CT)
Wake Forest University (NC)

From this list, the women’s colleges could be particularly good targets for you - Smith and Mt. Holyoke. Both offer astronomy majors (with as much physics as you like), and they collaborate as part of the Five College Astronomy Program
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/astronomy/programs/astronomy-major
https://www.smith.edu/astronomy/
https://www.smith.edu/astronomy/observatory.php
Resources are pooled for dance, too https://www.fivecolleges.edu/dance

Dickinson has an observatory too http://www.dickinson.edu/info/20041/physics_and_astronomy/92/the_britton_observatory/1

The question is, what does your expected family contribution look like at these full-need-met schools. Have you run Net Price Calculators to get a sense of what different school’s formulas would expect you to pay?

If that number comes out to $23K/year or more, then look at Truman State University, an excellent public LAC with 6000 undergraduates that offers tuition reciprocity to OH residents through the Midwest Student Exchange Program. It has its own observatory http://observatory.truman.edu/ and offers a physics major with an astronomy minor. If the $23K/year out-of-pocket cost, with MSEP discount and automatic merit, is more affordable than what you’d get at full-need-met schools, it could be an excellent safety for you.

Hope that helps! FWIW, I think you’re on the right track with the strategy to target LAC’s with strong sciences, like Kenyon and the test-optional LAC’s above, rather than super-reaches like Cornell. I can certainly see you ending up at a school like Cornell for grad school, but it’s a very long shot for undergrad admissions, and even if you could get in, you’d be surrounded by students with much stronger preparation. You’ll ramp up quickly in college, but doing so in a supportive environment rather than a competitive university with “weeder” STEM classes seems like a better and more enjoyable path to success, to me.

18

You’re a good writer with a nice sense of drama and suspense. Your story drew us to your plight, so I think you could write a riveting application essay.

Yet I’m throwing my opinion with those who question astrophysics for an ACT test-taker of 27. And agree also with the person who said you can get your ACT up to a 34, though I think that process should have started a year earlier.

(Online prep like Kahn Academy are worth checking out, for free.)

I object to OPs listing their weighted GPAs only. Use the unweighted and we have a better sense of how you stack up. GPAs from different schools are difficult enough to assess, without trying to compare apples against oranges.

My advice would be to recalibrate your list. While Chicago isn’t impossible–people do get to the top of Everest, though it is a reach for everyone–your stats are not outstanding. Chicago may see applications from candidates whose backgrounds have been more harrowing and whose stats are better. Who knows? (Your school profile probably erodes somewhat the value of that 3.9 weighted.)

I would suggest instead that you apply to Boston University. You may be a reach as a BU applicant too, but I like their General Studies option for students whose origins may have impeded the full expression of their academic promise. (There is nothing lacking in your academic ambition.)

If you impress BU, you could be accepted at the outset into your chosen program. However if they believe your rough spots need smoothing first, their General Studies program can be the remedial polishing. Check the box that says you’d be willing to be considered a GS student too. (If they continue to offer it that way on the app.)

After GS, you can matriculate to the BU program you want (if it’s still physics,) having obtained the underlying skillset you need.

I worry and agree fully with privatebanker that Chicago could be a sink or swim for you, in the unlikely event you did get in. It might be a bad case of getting what you wish for if you are not prepared as well as your classmates to meet the high expectations of your professors.

Good luck. You are very good at making your case and that is a big part of what you need for admissions, and for life.

19

Oh yeah, do you know you’re unweighted GPA? That would help. Otherwise that might change safeties/reaches/matches.

As for me, my financial situation is pretty rough, so I’m not sure. Again at all of these schools I looked at engineering as a major, not anything else. I’m also in favor of smaller schools, but unfortunately in Ohio, there are like NO smaller schools with decent engineering programs.

For me (again, this is solely based of engineering major):
U Toledo
Ohio State
Ohio U
Cincinnati
Otterbein
Case Western

I’m applying to about 8, maybe more, out of state schools besides these in state schools. Again, don’t know about their physics programs but I assume they’re good if engineering is good there. I notice you’re into small LACs; unfortunately none of these are small except for Otterbein. We’re looking at different criteria.

20

@aquapt Thanks for all the insight! I looked into Union. Academically, it seems like a great school so I will definitely look into it more. However, I was kind of thrown off by all the student reviews talking about how much the school is centered on Greek life and partying. I’m definitely not a party person and I don’t know that I’d join a sorority. BUT, I’m not throwing it off the table yet- especially since there is no app fee. As for Bryn Mawr, it definitely seems like an interesting school but the prospect of attending an all-women school is kind of… strange. However, I like the thought of taking classes at Haverford or UPenn so I’m not throwing it out just yet. I will look at some of the listed colleges too!

I have to admit that even though I love Cornell, you make a great point that it’d be better for grad school (same with UChicago). I think I just need to look realistically that Cornell is a HIGH reach. It’s just a hard decision to make because Cornell has been “The Dream” ever since freshman year. I absolutely love the Kenyon supportive environment though, and right now it’s honestly my #1 school.