Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For non-URM, non-FG, non-LI, UMC kids, it's really difficult to get in top LACs.
There is no point in ED Amherst or Williams. Place your bet somewhere else like Chicago.
My unhooked white UMC kid got in ED. You need top stats, but it happens.
It's also about fit, and standing out from the crowd. These SLACs have tiny classes and lots of applicants, and the vast majority are unhooked white UMC kids. These schools are building cohorts with an eye to diversity, and I'm not talking about race. If you are an UMC kid from a good suburban public school, you need to be able to stand out in some way. Tippy top scores can write you a ticket (meaning perfect or just shy of perfect), but what you really need (on top of top scores and grades) is demonstrated, sustained excellence in areas of interests. Which means you didn't use write for the school newspaper, but you were the editor-in-chief for two years and the paper won national journalistic awards in that time. You don't just have a top math SAT but you captained the school mathletes to multiple statewide championships. Sports captains are often a draw, as are class presidents. It cannot just be "I got good grades and did very well on the SAT and went to a well-regarded high school and here is my list of participation several extra curricular where I did well but didn't distinguish myself in any way." You need to be valedictorian, be elected or selected for leadership roles, and have demonstrated excellence in everything you do.
And even then you might miss out on a spot because there's a kid with the exact same profile but she's from Nebraska and you're from Maryland the Nebraska kid will get it in order to provide geographic diversity whereas you are one of thousands of qualified kids from Maryland who applied.