<p>I'm going to be a senior next year. My class rank is either #1 or #2, I'll know for sure at the start of next year. My GPA is 3.95 unweighted, 4.7 weighted. By graduation I will have taken AP Calc, and the most advanced Biology, Physics, and Chemistry courses offered at my school. I got a 33 on the ACT and a 2100 on the SAT Reasoning, with 800s in both Math II and Physics. I think my grades and test scores are good enough, but I'm worried that I don't have enough extra curricular stuff.</p>
<p>I was in the electric guitar ensemble my Sophomore year.
I am in Drama, and have performed in several plays not part of the curriculum in addition to the plays the whole class worked on.
I am a member of our Improv Club. We do improvisational comedy, a lot like Whose Line is it Anyway?
I am in Beta club.
By the start of next school year, I'll have around 120 volunteer hours.</p>
<p>I plan on joining the math club next year, and possibly the High Q team.</p>
<p>I'm really concerned that I haven't done any physics related stuff (that's what I'm looking at as a major). I really want to, but can't find anything. I emailed a local university and asked if there was any research I could help with over the summer, but didn't get any response.</p>
<p>One more thing: how selective is Harvey Mudd compared to a school like MIT? Collegeboard.com has Harvey Mudd's acceptance rate at 28%, but I assume they have a very good applicant pool.</p>
<p>I feel like a have the same problem. I've got strong grades/test scores, but my math/science activities are pretty weak.</p>
<p>I've been very active in policy debate/MUN, and I also have tutored some in math/science. </p>
<p>I've done math club for a year and will continue next year. I also do some science research next fall.</p>
<p>So, does anyone know if they demand intense math/science ECs like MIT, or do they let in some "well-rounded" people w/o their own tech patent/startup company?</p>
<p>Your ECs seem fine to me. Students dont actually choose a major until midway through sophomore year, so I would imagine the admissions people would treat you just as they would a biology major - such that research in any field would be a plus, but not required. </p>
<p>Regarding both MIT and Mudd, both schools want well-rounded people. The last thing they want is a "texture-less math-grind." Its true that both schools want you to be able to handle the curriculum, but beyond that they want you to be able to intellectually contribute to the atmosphere and enjoy yourself - you wont be doing math./sci/engineering 24/7 ya-know. </p>
<p>Regarind MIT vs Mudd admission standards. MIT is a bit more selective, but not by much. Mudd's admit percent is a poor indicator of how selective we are. If you look at our rankings in the LAC category, Mudd is actually ranked the most selective liberal arts college. To be more explicit, I would say that most who get admitted to MIT get admitted to Mudd, as well as maybe 50% of those who get waitlisted at MIT. Some will get waitlisted at Mudd and into MIT and some who get rejected from MIT will get into Mudd (and even maybe a couple vice-versa). Overall, I would say Mudd just has a more stable selection process so if you are qualified you will probably get in; MIT is just less certain.</p>
<p>Actually your non-traditional EC will do you well, most kids at Mudd do Math team and Science something or another, and the number of people who build robots is ridiculous. Now finding theater people and things like that, that is special. Non-Traditional EC are what make you a shining star as opposed to the same as everyone else. Of course you need the grads and math/science interest to go with them. Oh also colleges love volunteer hours</p>
<p>So I guess I'm going to follow up that question with:</p>
<p>Is it worth it for me to shell out the cash for a plane ticket to go visit the campus and do an interview? Basically, do I have a decent shot at getting accepted?</p>
<p>DD is at Mudd and loves it. I would definitely check it out. You will never know for sure unless you try and you seem to be the type that they are looking for. I agree that non-traditional EC's are a bonus. Best of Luck...</p>
<p>I suspect that comparing HM and MIT on the basis of admissions stats is not ver y valid. Everyone has heard of MIT so lots of folks apply, even those who are not good fits. Finding out about HM takes a bit more work, and those who apply tend to be a bit more self-selecting.
I"m hoping that a short list of interesting ECs will be sufficient - my son will probably be an Eagle Scout by then - Scouts is a big commitment so he doesn't have a lot of other things. He does do math competitions, and robotics too.</p>
<p>If you want to visit the campus, I'd suggest doing so. It's a very different feel from a lot of other liberal arts colleges, although that might be because many of them are in the northeast. I remember I hated how everything looked when I went, but the campus tour and the professors completely sold me. (Don't remember much about the admin info session though... Actually I don't remember anything, it must have not been very interesting)</p>
<p>If you're just going for an interview, however, I don't think it would be worth it.</p>
<p>I'm sure we will visit, both to visit and to interview. I know when we looked at private schools, we learned more visiting than by reading. College visits are going to be difficult in terms of time, of course, and we are on the other coast. Is it possible/reasonable to visit in the summer? I know some campuses have a lot going on and some have nothing.</p>
<p>S1 and I visited in the summer and found it very useful. Between the summer math program (approx. 1/2 of the rising sophs?) and the various people doing research, you'll have about 2/7 of the student body on campus in June. Basically, there'll always be enough students around for you to get a general feel for the place either pro or con. (S1 has been working on campus all summer and he hasn't been in any danger of getting lonely.)</p>
<p>After acceptance, he visited again when weighing Mudd against one of the "big name" schools--and that visit sealed the deal. He got enough from the summer visit, however, to tentatively rank Mudd higher than any other school.</p>
<p>Thanks, stevedad. When I think about all the schools that might merit a visit, and consider trying to do that during the school year, it's rather daunting. I think visiting next summer seems like a great idea - and we can do some general sight seeing as well out on that 'other coast'.
Are there any summer programs for high schoolers at Mudd?</p>