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White/Asian male, single (divorced early) mother, 1st generation, 2nd in family to go to college (a cousin is in a state college right now), my mother and her side of the family are Vietnam War refugees

GPA freshman year 3.9 UW 3.9 W
GPA sophomore year 3.9 UW 3.9 W
GPA junior year 3.6 UW 4.5 W
GPA senior year will be out of 4.7 W max
Rank 12/370 top 3%, will get better
Have taken hardest schedule possible at somewhat competitive CA public school

SAT 1
Highest math 690
Highest verbal 770
Highest one sitting 1430
Highest combined 1460
Retaking in June, will try to study

SAT 2
US History 760
Math ???
Writing ??? (I'll assume 700+ for both)

AP's so far
Chemistry 2 or 3
US History 3-5
Calculus AB 3-5
Assume 3-5 for all future APs (5-7 more)

EC's/Awards
Best Buddies for 3 years
UCSF lab assistant 9+ hrs/wk for one summer
Mock Trial for 1 year (maybe)
National Merit Commended (so far, the process isnt over)
Took AP Calculus 10th gr summer at ATDP program at UC Berkeley

I say I am a "public school" applicant because people say I stand a much better chance in applying to the UC (public) system because of my very weak EC's.

Do you guys think I could get into Whitman or a good LAC if I wrote a damn good essay?

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 01:14 pm: Edit

Yes, you have a good chance at Whitman. One tip: Whitman requires you to submit a graded school paper as part of the admissions process and they place a great deal of weight on that. So, start thinking now about what you could use.Whitman also places a lot of emphasis on recommendations and an interview - show interest and they'll like you even more. Good luck - Whitman is a fantastic school

By Enjoyingthis (Enjoyingthis) on Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 02:16 am: Edit

Unlike Carolyn, I am not a person with useful suggestions. I would just guess that you'd get in, looking at your stats. I think being male will help you at Whitman as they seem to be having to work to keep that balanced. A large number of the top girls at our high school got into and are going to Whitman this year. I agree that Whitman seems like a great school. I think they have to work harder at recruiting than some others because a lot of kids shy away from the location. Which is a perfect location for some kids. So, if the isolation from big city life is okay with you, that could work in your favor. Good luck to you!