College of Saint Mary

Even though your chances look good you may still get rejected from this college. Please keep the following in mind:

• The program for which you're applying may require a tryout, audition or portfolio review during the admissions decision. If your tryout, audition or portfolio doesn't impress them you might get rejected.
• Your intended area of study may be extremely competitive for this college. Even top students get rejected from colleges when lots of students are applying to a specific major.
• Some highly selective colleges take a very holistic approach to admissions and you may not be the type of student they want to attract even if your grades and test scores are top notch.
• Your application is incomplete or doesn't effectively communicate your qualifications. Everything from poorly written essays to sketchy recommendations can hurt your chances.
• Some schools impose additional minimum entrance requirements, which are not considered by the calculator. For example: In addition to composite test scores, some schools impose mandatory minimums on sub scores as well. Although the calculator does consider sub scores in its analysis, it does not consider any mandatory minimums that might exist. Check the college's website for more details.

Bottom line, no calculator can tell you definitively whether you'll get in - you'll only know if you actually apply. Always talk to others such as high school counselors, parents and admissions representatives before deciding whether to apply to a certain college.

Even if your chances look slim, don't give up hope! There are a number of factors that can work in your favor:

• The program for which you're applying may require a tryout, audition or portfolio review during the admissions decision. Good performance here can really make the difference.
• You may be a member of an underrepresented group that the college is trying to attract that may have a different academic standard for admission. Many colleges go out of their way to increase diversity; if you add to the diversity on their campus they may reach out to you. For example, this college may be looking for students who can increase ethnic, geographic or academic diversity.
• If you've done something truly remarkable that makes you stand out above the rest. Schools look beyond academics every day for students who stand out from their peers.
• If this college is "test optional" they may not take your test scores into consideration. The "What Are My Chances?" Calculator™ does take your test scores into consideration. So, if your test scores are bad, it may have given you a lower chance.
• If one or both of your parents went to that school. Colleges sometimes give preference to so-called "legacy" students.

Bottom line, no calculator can tell you definitively whether you'll get in - you'll only know if you actually apply. Always talk to others such as high school counselors, parents and admissions representatives before deciding whether to apply to a certain college.