Actual Results to: Brown, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, USC and others

Applying to College Admission Stories
1

Hey College Confidential,

Last year I remember trawling the What Are My Chances threads to try to get an idea of how I stacked up against other applicants. I wanted to post my actual results and credentials so future applicants have another data point to help gauge their own chances.

My Credentials:

GPA: 3.88/4.35 W
Rank: (7/275)

Current Senior Year Classes: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics C Mechanics, AP Literature and Composition, Engineering and Technology Design 2, Economics

ACT: 34 (W34, M33, R34, S33)

APs: Environmental Science(5), US History(5), Lang/Comp(5)

SAT II: Physics: 800, Math II: 740

(Self-studied AP Environmental Science and half of Physics Subject Test. Are colleges impressed by this?)

Enrolled at school’s Physics and Engineering Academy: Two-year program including a specific set of physics and engineering courses centered around a project-based curriculum. I use CAD design software, 3D printing, laser cutting, and workshop fabrication tools to design and fabricate engineering projects.

EC:
Cross Country (Captain)
Track (Captain)
Ultimate Frisbee Club (Captain and founder)
Amigos de Las Americas: 2 month service project living with host family in Costa Rica
Park Service Internship
Sunday School Teacher
Outward Bound
Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble

What people chanced me:

(Applied Civil or Mechanical Engineering at all)
Stanford University: Reach
Brown University: Reach
UC Berkeley: High Match
UC Los Angeles: High Match
UC Santa Barbara: Match
UC San Diego: Match
UC Davis: Match
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: Reach
Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo: Match
USC: High Match
Rice: Reach

What actually happened:

Stanford University: Rejected
Brown University: Waitlisted
UC Berkeley: Accepted
UC Los Angeles: Waitlisted
UC Santa Barbara: Accepted
UC San Diego: Accepted
UC Davis: Accepted
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: Rejected
Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo: Accepted
USC: Accepted (with half-tuition merit scholarship)
Rice: Waitlisted

2

Looks like they did pretty good!

3

Yeah the chancers were pretty accurate.

4

they’re pretty good I agree, but wondering if you got any comments on the math 2, typically most if not all engineering applicants have a 800 or maybe 790 at worst. Anyway you have a lot of good choices, good luck!

5

@theloniusmonk Colleges VERY rarely give any feedback on your college application whether you are accepted or not. No I did not get any comments on my Math II score.

It could have contributed to my rejection at Stanford but outside of that hyper competitive field, I doubt that it helped or hurt me. It is by no means an impressive score, but I don’t think it was low enough to raise any questions about my mathematical competency. Also, any eyebrows raised could have been mitigated by the 800 in Physics right next to it.

“engineering applicants have a 800 or maybe 790 at worst” This is only really true at CalTech and MIT. MIT’s Math SAT II score 25th-75th percentile is [780,800]. It could be true at Berkeley too tbh. Maybe I just got super lucky!

6

I meant feedback from people chancing you, or your guidance counselor, a 740 is 59%, which is why I was surprised you didn’t take it again since you’re applying for engineering. I’m from the bay area and know a lot of people that applied to UCB and 800 in physics and math 2 were typical. Amigos and leadership (captain of sports teams) could have been the reason (and maybe luck too lol).

7

@theloniusmonk I did know the 740 was low. It says on the score report that it is 59%. I didn’t want to retake because I took the subject tests in October and didn’t really have time to do a retake. But I doubt that I would have even if I did have time. By that point, I was pretty burned out on all things college application related. Also, I knew that subject test scores are one of the less important factors in college admissions.

When I was applying to USC, I saw that all subject tests were entirely optional and was unsure whether I should send my math score or just my physics. I started a thread where I asked about this issue. Someone responded by saying:

“Submit both, scores are fine. Demonstrating proficiency is key to a subject test and a 740 does that. Percentiles are not relevant (e.g., sometimes an 800 is no higher than 80th percentile)”
(link: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1939213-subject-tests-at-usc.html#latest )

That’s about all the feedback I got. Looking back, I’m glad I did not bust my a** retaking that test. I doubt it would have helped me very much.

8

You did the right thing - the burnout is pretty bad these days for admissions.

9

@ElyStuart10 so, where’d you pick?! (and are you a 20 or 21? if a 20, how’s it going where you did pick?)

10

@CaliDad2020 I’m a 21. So not there yet but I chose UC Berkeley.

11

^^ awesome. enjoy! ^^