Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:39     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

There’s also no reason to go on Williams tours multiple times in Williamstown

You can see it in one 2 hour afternoon

Like, none of this rings true.

And no one turns down Williams or Amherst for another NESCAC unless your interests are totally different and have some other valid different decisions.

Like Middlebury for the languages. Or Colby or Bates because they kind of perpetuate the prep school culture into college. Or Wesleyan because of how they have grown to foster alternative young person cultures.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:34     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

So you went on Williams tours multiple times

“My oldest turned down Williams for another NESCAC”

Cool that’s a statement, but why?

“And my youngest will be receiving her acceptance to Williams in a few weeks”

Cool again for you, you’ve finally gotten your last child into a college you were kind of making fun of before now you’re anticipating an EA

Like I don’t know whether you’re proud or ashamed or trying to say what?

I know one thing I never said, which was “my youngest will be receiving her acceptance to Williams in a few weeks”

Like … LOL NO one “knows” anything like that, my friend

Even when we knew it was practically a “done deal” and got a call from the coaches just asking us to please accept and stop negotiating with other NESCACS … even my kid came in crying holding up his phone and we did the dance and put on a 🎶🎶
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:33     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It looks like all these self-reporters have submitted a high SAT even though most of these colleges have a very low SAT submission rate?



Because majority are white or Asian and not FGLI. Schools want to see those scores. Very hard to get in unhooked without strong stats across the board.


Even at Williams College the majority don't submit a standardized test. Only 35% submitted an SAT score and 17% submitted an ACT score. Allowing for overlap, less than half submitted a test score.

So those who score at or above the 75% have an incredibly GREAT shot at getting into top LACs.

Ofc at Williams- that school is a joke.

+1, out tour guide spent more time talking about their experience abroad at Oxford than anything to do with Williams. Then, their admissions presentation heavily emphasized their Oxford program immediately after. I wasn’t sure the purpose of going to a college where it seems everyone wants to be somewhere 1000s of miles away. It’s really sad, because there is none at Oxford even thinking about Williams.


I have been on tours at Williams multiple times with my kids. This flat out isn’t true.

The Williams admission presentation includes WEPO. I know, because DS and I witnessed it 2 weeks ago. No reason this wouldn’t be true, unless you’re just too sensitive.


It's mentioned, but it isn't overemphasized. I've been on that tour multiple times as my oldest turned down Williams for another NESCAC and my youngest will be receiving her acceptance to Williams in a few weeks.

Yeesh, someone sounds entitled.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:33     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Anonymous wrote:Valedictorian of a decent public school, 35 ACT, 12 APs, excellent and diverse ECs that were more well-rounded than pointy.

Accepted to Penn, Dartmouth, Swat, Pomona, Bowdoin, and others. Rejected only from Williams. Waitlisted at an LAC in the 30-50 range.


I would admit your kid. I know it is not how admissions work, but I'd rather have a kid do diverse EC's than this stupid spike/hook master of something at age 16. Was an SAT submitted also? AP scores submitted? Is your decent public school somewhat of a feeder, that is it routinely gets multiple Ivies every year? Thx!!
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:30     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Anonymous wrote:DC with 1570 / near perfect GPA denied at Williams & Pomona. Waitlisted Dartmouth & Amherst. Accepted Cornell & Rice.


What was the miss on the GPA? Why not perfect? Private school or public school (with AP's)? What was rigor like?
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:27     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Colby and Davidson and Haverford have low admit rates because they are great schools

But they don’t have an admit nexus with Wesleyan, Carleton and Middlebury because they have different academic cultures
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:09     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

I have been on tours at Williams multiple times with my kids. This flat out isn’t true.

The Williams admission presentation includes WEPO. I know, because DS and I witnessed it 2 weeks ago. No reason this wouldn’t be true, unless you’re just too sensitive.


It's mentioned, but it isn't overemphasized. I've been on that tour multiple times as my oldest turned down Williams for another NESCAC and my youngest will be receiving her acceptance to Williams in a few weeks.


An athlete or are you manifesting? I am... waiting on a SLAC admission in a few weeks too! Good luck
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:05     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It looks like all these self-reporters have submitted a high SAT even though most of these colleges have a very low SAT submission rate?



Because majority are white or Asian and not FGLI. Schools want to see those scores. Very hard to get in unhooked without strong stats across the board.


Even at Williams College the majority don't submit a standardized test. Only 35% submitted an SAT score and 17% submitted an ACT score. Allowing for overlap, less than half submitted a test score.

So those who score at or above the 75% have an incredibly GREAT shot at getting into top LACs.

Ofc at Williams- that school is a joke.

+1, out tour guide spent more time talking about their experience abroad at Oxford than anything to do with Williams. Then, their admissions presentation heavily emphasized their Oxford program immediately after. I wasn’t sure the purpose of going to a college where it seems everyone wants to be somewhere 1000s of miles away. It’s really sad, because there is none at Oxford even thinking about Williams.


I have been on tours at Williams multiple times with my kids. This flat out isn’t true.

The Williams admission presentation includes WEPO. I know, because DS and I witnessed it 2 weeks ago. No reason this wouldn’t be true, unless you’re just too sensitive.


It's mentioned, but it isn't overemphasized. I've been on that tour multiple times as my oldest turned down Williams for another NESCAC and my youngest will be receiving her acceptance to Williams in a few weeks.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 12:39     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It looks like all these self-reporters have submitted a high SAT even though most of these colleges have a very low SAT submission rate?



Because majority are white or Asian and not FGLI. Schools want to see those scores. Very hard to get in unhooked without strong stats across the board.


Even at Williams College the majority don't submit a standardized test. Only 35% submitted an SAT score and 17% submitted an ACT score. Allowing for overlap, less than half submitted a test score.

So those who score at or above the 75% have an incredibly GREAT shot at getting into top LACs.

Ofc at Williams- that school is a joke.

+1, out tour guide spent more time talking about their experience abroad at Oxford than anything to do with Williams. Then, their admissions presentation heavily emphasized their Oxford program immediately after. I wasn’t sure the purpose of going to a college where it seems everyone wants to be somewhere 1000s of miles away. It’s really sad, because there is none at Oxford even thinking about Williams.


I have been on tours at Williams multiple times with my kids. This flat out isn’t true.

The Williams admission presentation includes WEPO. I know, because DS and I witnessed it 2 weeks ago. No reason this wouldn’t be true, unless you’re just too sensitive.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 11:42     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

DC with 1570 / near perfect GPA denied at Williams & Pomona. Waitlisted Dartmouth & Amherst. Accepted Cornell & Rice.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 11:41     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Anonymous wrote:Hoping I'll be able to share my insight the second week in December following ED results.

The tippy stats listed here are not necessary IMO. Good grades in hard classes, yes, and a benchmark SAT is a big help - but I really think these places look beyond the numbers. They're looking for fit and for engaged kids that will make a difference on campus.


I agree fit plays an important role especially in a small school. Most of DD’s LAC friends are happy where they are. Another thing those kids jokes about is they didn’t start any “non-profit” like most of their ivy school friends did.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 11:36     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Hoping I'll be able to share my insight the second week in December following ED results.

The tippy stats listed here are not necessary IMO. Good grades in hard classes, yes, and a benchmark SAT is a big help - but I really think these places look beyond the numbers. They're looking for fit and for engaged kids that will make a difference on campus.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 11:24     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Valedictorian of a decent public school, 35 ACT, 12 APs, excellent and diverse ECs that were more well-rounded than pointy.

Accepted to Penn, Dartmouth, Swat, Pomona, Bowdoin, and others. Rejected only from Williams. Waitlisted at an LAC in the 30-50 range.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 11:02     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It looks like all these self-reporters have submitted a high SAT even though most of these colleges have a very low SAT submission rate?



Because majority are white or Asian and not FGLI. Schools want to see those scores. Very hard to get in unhooked without strong stats across the board.


Even at Williams College the majority don't submit a standardized test. Only 35% submitted an SAT score and 17% submitted an ACT score. Allowing for overlap, less than half submitted a test score.

So those who score at or above the 75% have an incredibly GREAT shot at getting into top LACs.

Ofc at Williams- that school is a joke.

+1, out tour guide spent more time talking about their experience abroad at Oxford than anything to do with Williams. Then, their admissions presentation heavily emphasized their Oxford program immediately after. I wasn’t sure the purpose of going to a college where it seems everyone wants to be somewhere 1000s of miles away. It’s really sad, because there is none at Oxford even thinking about Williams.
Classic Williams. They know they have nothing to offer other than opportunities to leave. Go Mammoths!


Please stop. Amherst is a great place (regardless of your - undoubtedly athletic - affiliation with it) and so is Williams.
I never knew it was forbidden to gently rib one's alma mater's rival on this forum.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 11:00     Subject: Success Stories? How did your DC get into one of these selective LACs?

Seems pretty clear:

1) tippy-top stats but ECs not at HYPSM level

2) Great ECs, very good but not tippy-top stats

3) all the hooks: athlete, rural, geographic diversity etc.