I have the fear that I won’t get into any of my schools (and would like some chances for my top ones) chances would be nice, I understand that some (Stanford, etc.) are huge reaches but here are my stats:
Gender: Male
Race: White
GPA: 95 UW/99 W
Course Load: most rigorous offered at my school. Currently in all AP/college courses my senior year
Test Scores:
32 ACT (34E/35M/35R/32S) + 36 W
2050 SAT superscored (670CR/730M/650W) (hoping this won’t hurt my chances)
800 SATII World History
Taking Math II + Physics, predicting 750+ on each
AP Scores:
5 (World, CS)
4 (APUSH, Chemistry)
Both of my teachers that wrote my letters of recommendations love me (I did an EC with each). Didn’t really know counselor but would assume positive but generic.
Heard very good feedback about my essay
EC:
Robotics - 11/12 - won a trophy Grade 11
Youth in Government - 9/10/11/12 - mock Government, had my bill pass one year (9) and elected chair for two years (11/12)
Unpaid Internship at Community Development Office - 11 (Summer) - about 60 hours
NY Boys State - 11 (Summer) - elected senator and had a bill passed
School News - 10/11/12 - President since Grade 10 and a founding member - film events for school
Philosophy Club - 9/10/11/12 - Secretary since Grade 10
Youth Soccer Referee - 11/12 - Grade 8 Certified
Student Council - 12
Awards:
RPI Medalist
Boys State Representative
AP Scholar with Honor
High Honor Roll
Schools in which a chance would be nice:
Carnegie Mellon
Case Western
Colombia
Cornell
Lehigh
Rice
RPI
Stanford
SUNY Binghamton
You should be fine for Binghamton, RPI and Case (so long as you demonstrate interest) - Which school at Cornell are you applying to? Makes a difference - some easier than others. Leigh and Rice are possible. Your stats make you a contender. Columbia, CM, and Stanford are real reaches for everyone though - worth shooting for the stars, but I wouldn’t count on those three. Are you considering Binghamton your safety? Are you NY resident? You didn’t indicate what you want to major in - That will make a difference, too. Good luck.
Also, did you apply to CMU EA? I understand it is easier to get in EA, however, you must acknowledge you have the financial resources and, upon acceptance, you MUST withdraw your other applications that you submitted to other universities. In other words, if you applied to CMU EA, that has to be your #1 school. My S opted not to go that route due to that restriction.
I would suggest adding Stony Brook University. Since it went Division 1 in athletics and has some very large donors, it’s rankings have moved up higher than Binghamton. Plus it’s common app with no extra essay. You do have a few to many super reaches which will require a lot of time for essays. When you are prioritizing your time I would suggest putting Stanford and Columbia (both have several extra essays) at the back of the list so you don’t run out of time for you matches and safeties.
Carnegie Mellon really likes applicants who show tons of interest so try and visit and/or go to info sessions in your area. I know Stanford, Columbia and Cornell don’t rate showing interest as high as they assume they are on the top of your list.
One other suggestion would be to add Northeastern. It ranks similar to Case Western and doesn’t require any extra essays.
Do not even submit your SAT, your ACT is much better. CMU, Standford, Columbia, and Cornell are gonna be big reaches, they place an equal emphasis on ECs as GPA/Test scores
mini advice: avoid listing your hours for that unpaid internship. 60 hours is basically just a week.
