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It won't be that painful...

SAT I : Math 710 Verbal 750
SAT II : Ecological Biology 700 US History 720 Writing 730
ACT : Composite 32 (99th Percentile)
PSAT : 1600 composite 234 NM semi finalist as thus.
APEURO: 4
APUSH: 4
AP BIO: 5
AP STUDIO: School doesn't offer class, but I took exam anyway 5

Top Honors in National Latin Exam (Gold) all 4 years. (Not many people do this).
Placed Second, Second, Third, and 7th in the nation at National Junior Classical League Convention (3000-4000 People)
Placed 8th, 4th, 1st, and 3rd at Ohio Junior Classical League Convention (c. 1000 People)

All A's Freshman year
A's and B's Sophomore Year
A's and B's Junior Year
Probably A's and B's senior year.
(All of my A's were in AP Classes, the B's were in Honors Classes, I've always taken the hardest classes offered.)
GPA : weighted 4.04 unweighted...3.7? Not sure exactly
Rank: 10/121 (will be around 6/121 when graduating)

Signed up for AP US GOV (4?), AP COMPAR GOV (4?), AP ENGLISH (5?), AP CHEM (4?), AP CALC (5?), and AP VERGIL (4/5?) for next year.

President of the Art Club
Lawyer in Mock Trial
President as well as other offices in big Latin Club
Varsity Chess since 8th Grade
Tennis for 3 years
NHS Senior Year
Teen Counseling Senior Year
One on One counseling Senior Year
Mock Trial Senior Year

Did A Mural in our local park for community service, one planned for new school.
40 Hours for mural.
40 Hours for teen counseling.
20 Hours for one on one.
20 Hours political campaigning.

Really good RECs including one from painting professor at Centre College.

And most importantly, an excellent portfolio, praised at National Portfolio Day by colleges as well as professors at various other colleges. It got a 5 on the AP Studio Art exam--and I'm going to school for Art, so this is a huge part of my application. I did Studio Art my Junior year, and so I still have a couple months to refine my portfolio for portfolio day in the fall.

So what do you think? Washington has a great art program and I'd love to take classes there including the liberal arts education. Can I get in? What would I need to change? How difficult is it to get those full ride scholarships...probably don't need an answer to that one.

It's my top choice right now -- will it be where I am going?

By Lysse84 (Lysse84) on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 10:27 am: Edit

Apply ED and really let admissions know that Wash U is your first choice and you have a good chance. Also, really spend some time on your essay.

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 05:38 pm: Edit

anyone else have some input?

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 08:59 am: Edit

I think you look like an outstanding student.
Wash U likes National Merit Scholars...Good Luck!

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 08:56 pm: Edit

thanks missmolly, i hope so

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:12 am: Edit

Tagran86,

I have one suggestion. On the application focus on your strengths such as art and chess or latin.
Whatever you have done the longest..For example, it looks like you started mock trials senior year. My son goes to Wash U and I believe he was noticed because of his passion for music (played the viola since 5th grade) and he started a tutoring business. If you could tie the art into politics or counseling that would look good. I think chess and art is what pops out for me. On the application don't diregard the senior year activites, but emphasis your strenghts...Good Luck. Bye the way, my son loves Wash U so far (3 weeks).

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 05:34 pm: Edit

Okay, I like the ideas with tying it in politically and such, unfortunately my artwork doesn't quite correlate, but I might be able to figure something out--Thanks.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 06:33 pm: Edit

If politics and art can not be tied together, that is still ok..My point is that your application should highlight one, two, or maybe three areas...Can you tell me about the mural you painted?

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 07:03 pm: Edit

Yeah, unfortunately all my city council wanted was something patriotic, and the only compromise we could settle on was the state seal. I wanted to do a sort of colorful abstractish park scene, but no, no, that would be too crazy and out there for them, only the state seal will do.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 01:51 pm: Edit

At least you have painted a mural! I am sure that you will be looked at by Wash U no matter how you lay out your application. You have an impressive resume so far. Where else do you plan to apply?

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 03:35 pm: Edit

Wash U is my top choice, then after that come Grinnell, Skidmore, and NYU, then after those Macalester and SUNY Purchase.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 03:54 pm: Edit

Good college choices. Have you considered Carleton in Minnesota? Grinnell and Carleton are in small towns. Do you prefer city or rural living?

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 04:41 pm: Edit

Well, I wouldn't really mind anything, it's all a new experience. You can tell I don't have a preference if I'm applying to both NYU and Grinnell. Pretty much total opposites as far as urban/rural goes. I visited Carleton when my sister was looking for colleges, and I liked Macalester a lot better--I also don't know what the art program is like at Carleton, haven't heard anything about it unlike Macalester. Assuming I got into Wash U, Grinnell, and NYU, I'd have a big decision to make. You have no city, outside of a normal city, and right in the heart of a huuuge city. Don't know how I'll make the decision, but maybe they'll make that decision for me...we'll see.

By Missmolly (Missmolly) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 05:45 pm: Edit

Well I hope you go to Wash U. I have heard that they have a wonderful art department. My son has only been there for a few weeks, and so far he loves it there. I have not heard one complaint except that his chemistry class is difficult. When we went to orientation the Provost said that 90% of the class of 2008 were in the top 5% of their class (high school). Keep that in mind, because I noticed that you also are in the top 5% of your class. Also, the 4 kids that Wash U accepted from my son's high school were all National Merit Finalists. Keep the faith.

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 12:10 am: Edit

*Keeping.

By Tagran86 (Tagran86) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 05:44 pm: Edit

Anyone else?