Who's in, Early Decision?

momneedsguidance
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:24:59 +0000

My accepted (yay!!) daughter:
In-state female
weighted 4.1 or 4.2 (can’t remember), will graduate with 8 APs, all 4 and 5s on exams.
Took 5 years of a language, Physics, and Calculus (benchmarks for challenging curriculum for WM)
SAT combined 1350
Excellent interview experience…a strong point for her.
Excellent recommendations - both the teacher and her guidance counselor know her very well. I saw the teacher one - spoke just as much, if not more, about her PQ’s/personality than any academic achievement.
Solid EC’s - but I think it was the fact that she built on her interests, which culminated in two impressive leadership positions. She did not have lots of “little interests”…which I think was important to show who she was.
Submitted a fine arts supplement - no idea how this was received (I know she’d love to receive feedback from the folks who reviewed it!) - but she took the time (lots of time) to do it well and submitted it.
Of course, submitted the WM supplement (required in my mind!). It was a one page…fairly quirky…essay about a conversation she had with a friend.
I loved her Common App essay. It was simple, easy to read and spoke to who she really is at the core - no heavy subjects, no 10 point vocab words…just well written and a lovely piece of writing.

Reflecting on the experience, I feel very strongly that it is the “stuff” away from GPA/SAT’s that the admissions committee look at when they think about “building the class”. Of course the core work ethic/grades/scores need to be on par with the school, but I imagine the vast majority of applicants have similar stats. So they look beyond. You should too - and show it off to the WM Admissions Committee :O)

Good luck!!!