SAT scores just came out so I figured I’d ask. I know its low chances even for the most qualified students but I just want to know if I am even competitive or any recommendations you guys can offer?
SAT: 1520 (800 math 720 verbal)
SAT (Super Score): 1530
GPA(UW): 96.5 (3.98 ish)(One credit worth of an A-)
GPA(W): 100.58 (4.3 something)
Rank: School does not rank but confirmed top 5%
SAT Math II: 770 (May retake idk)
SAT Chemistry: 790
Rec Letters: Not too worried, I feel I can get very good letters.
Essay: Have a pretty good idea I think
AP Scores: All 5s so far
Location: Johns Creek, Goergia
Intended Major: Chemical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
Awards: ISE Award (School community service award), National Spanish Exam gold and first place two years in a row, Governor’s Honors Program state semifinalist in foreign language, US history student of the year (School), Spanish student of the year x2 (School), University of Georgia Certificate of Merit.
APs (Taken): World History, AP Calc AB, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1
APs(Senior Year): AP Physics C, AP Spanish, AP Environmental Science, AP Calc BC
ECs: Month long internship working on an IT help desk(Paid), summer study abroad program in Spain, started my school’s chapter of Operation Smile club (brother has the condition so its a close cause for me), VP of Spanish National Honor Society, Webmaster of Key Club, VP of Habitat for Humanity club, tutor and member for Mu Alpha Theta, member of TSA, played basketball freshman year, member of National Honor Society, hundreds of volunteer hours with beta club, symphonic band for two years.
Job: In addition to the internship I tutor Pre-K through 9th at a tutoring franchise and I also tutor SAT prep.
You are competitive. Don’t waste your time on the SAT2 Math retake. Work on the other parts of your apps, e.g. essays and short answers. Don’t forget to provide your LoR writers with a list of concrete accomplishments. Give them some factual ammunition to draw upon in their qualitative review.
Best thing going is coming from GA. You need excellent recommendations. Also take into consideration if others have gone to those schools from your high school. What did they do to make them competitive? Maybe the guidance counselor still remembers.
I would get the verbal score up. It’s weak. I would also focus on carefully crafting your essays to make your regional distinctions come out. Are you from a rural area? What is your school like? Give them a picture of where you come from as your geographical distinction is the likely hook you will have. Also, craft a story between your language interest and your intended major. How are they linked? How can you use both?
Happtimes, Im from a suburban area and my school has about 2-4 Ivy acceptances per year. My verbal score is something I need to work on but I only missed 5 questions total and got a 720 so I dont know if it is worth it at this point. Appreciate the tips!
I see the reason for all the schools above except Yale, not a great engineering school, is there a reason why you would want to go there? The school has a whopping 317 students in its engineering program. Hope you have actually looked into what Yale has to offer in the engineering department and just not throwing in in the pool because of its name.
I have another question though: If I were an engineering prospect student in the state of Indiana(I was), there is absolutely zero benefit for me to look anywhere other than Purdue for engineering. The cost instate was so much below what it would be at even MIT or Cal Tech, that it would be silly for me to consider any other option for an undergraduate engineering education. That was my situation 32 years ago when the difference in price was only $5,000/year. If I could get into both MIT and GaTech today and pay instate tuition at GaTech, there is absolutely zero rationale to not run into Atlanta as fast as I could.
And I say this a parent of two boys who both chose out-of-state options for their college. The first one really regrets that decision. The second is going to a school where the benefits did outweigh the instate options and fortunately we can afford it. But, to me for engineering at the undergrad levels there are certain state colleges that if you can benefit from in state tuition (Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, California) you really have to have a fantastic reason to consider the out-of-state options.
You still might get in state tuition as you will be a dependent on your parents 2017 (full year) and 2018 (partial) taxes filed showing Georgia as your residence. You’ll need to call GT to find out if that is enough to qualify for in state tuition since your not graduating from a Georgia HS. Personally I think they will classify you as in state.
Stats seem to be solid and in the ballpark. ECs are definitely your strong point, make sure to emphasize the story of why you do those ECs in your essays, like how you said Operation Smile means more to you. You said you understand how low the acceptance rates are and were just wondering if you’re competitive. I think you do fall in the competitive range.
