Expert: Bruce - 12/10/2007

Question
I am interested in admission to Berea College. Here are my predicted stats (currently a homeschooled junior):

GPA: 3.9 (nonweighted)

ACT: 25-29

Extra Curriculars:
06-?  Founder of Educators, Students, and Parents Against Scholastic Bribery (grassroots movement geared at academic equal opportunity within classroom assignments, website coming soon)
07-09 Volunteer at a seniors' low-income housing project (14 hours/week. Can get a recommendation from person I work for)
02-09 Assistant Hospitality Coordinator at the First Assembly of God (4 hours/week+. Can get a recommendation)

Essay Topic (assuming prompt does not change): My experience as  high school dropout (not by choice)-this might change, but probably will not.

Class Rank: Top 5% at least(have not been informed of my rank, but I was the first student to ever take chemistry at this school, the first to ever test out of their math program, etc; I think I'm doing alright. The class size is somewhere between 75 and 200. When I left my last school, I was ranked 36/425)

Transcript:
9 (Dearborn High School, Dearborn Michigan)
Honors Algebra 1  A-/A-
Honors Physical Science/Biology A/A-
Language arts 9   A/A-
Personal Finance/Intro to Business A-/A
Spanish 1/2       A-/A
Gym 9             A/A

10
Honors Chemistry B/B+
Honors Geometry  A/A-
Spanish 3/4      A/A
Language Arts 10
Gym 10/Intro to Marketing A/A
AP US government B+/A-  (did not take test; dropped out and could not afford it anyways)

11 (Westland Christian Academy; School does NOT offer honors courses or AP courses, dual enrollment costs too much $)
Algebra 2 A/A
Political Science A/A
World Religions A/A
Bible A/A
English 11 A/A
Etymology A/A
World Civ A/A
Physical Science/Biology (this school requires a YEAR of each, so I have to take them again)A/A
Community Service A/A
English Literature A/A

(this school is a JOKE, but, as my admissions letter will explain, due to NO proof of residency [homeless with parents wanted by the law], it is the ONLY option I have to ever graduate)

12
you get the idea;
straight As, except for f*ing chemistry
4+ years of everything
decent ECs
Graduating with like 35 credits, only 1/2 of which mean anything
-Future Poly Sci major-
------------------------------

Even with that absurd transcript, do I have a good shot?
Berea is the most selective school I am applying to. My other choices: Adams State College, Wayne State University, New Mexico State University, Utah State University, Kansas State University, and University of Tennessee, majoring somewhere within human services-social services-history-government-poly sci


What are my chances?



Thanks!

Lace King  

Answer
Sorry for the belated reply, Lace.

Academically, you have done well, especially considering the scenario you present, and many schools will be interested.

When you apply to colleges, I recommend a couple of things -

attach a detailed description of the school seetings you've been in by year - like this

9th grade I was in this public school
10th grade I was in this school because
etc, etc
be sure that grade documentation is included for each one

secondly, attach a description of your living situation and if you can get someone to corroberate your family upheaval, that would help (for admission and financial aid). Such info could come from a guidance counselor you've had, or a social services caseworker, clergy, etc.

As far as colleges go, yoneed one that provides plenty of aid. Berea is good choice for this, but I know the mission there is Appalachia, and they take very few from outside that region. It's worth a try but get some colleges known for generous FA on the list, too. Look at some of these:

Carlton College
Hamilton College
Williams College
Pomona College
Rice University
Rhodes College
Wheaton (Illinois-excellent Christian school)
College of the Ozarks (like Berea)
Gettysburg College

That's probably enough for starters.

One last suggestion - take the GED when you can, even if you are not out of high school yet. Your situation is such that this may necessary for aid purposes, and any colleges that are funny about homeschooling might be glad for this additional confirmation of your school work.

E-mail back if I can offer more info/advice.

Bruce