I’m a current HS junior and I’ve been wondering if my top schools of choice are even realistic.
My top schools are:
- UT Austin
- Georgia Tech
- University of Washington Seattle
- UC Davis/UC Santa Barbara(not sure which)
- Duke
Currently, I have a 30 ACT and a 1390 SAT with a 21 SAT Essay score, but I plan to retake them eventually. My unweighted GPA is a 3.6-3.7. I’ve taken 6 AP classes, 1 freshman year, 1 sophomore year, and 4 junior year. I plan to take 3 more APs senior year, Physics C, BC Calculus, Computer Science A.
AP Classes (w/ grades and exam score if available):
AP Human Geo (B, 3)
AP Statistics (B, 4)
AP Computer Science Principles (A)
AP Calculus AB (A-)
AP Microeconomics (C+)
AP Macroeconomics (C+/B)
ECs aren’t all that great though:
1 Varsity Sport
UNICEF
NHS
FBLA
Idk if this matters, but I’m applying for computer science and I’m in-state for Georgia Tech. Also, my GPA is a little messed up since I switched states between freshman and sophomore year and the numerical values didn’t transfer over.
tbh, your chances at duke are practically 0 unless you are a URM or first-gen. GT is a high match, UT Austin CS is probably a high match if not reach, UDub is your match, and UCD/UCSB may be low-reaches because a lot more waitlists occurred this year. You need more safety schools
Thanks for the response. I’m not sure if I’m technically URM since I’m mixed ethnicity between African-American and Asian, so it’s probably a stretch. I also happen to be a first-gen college student in my family. I’ll take a look into other schools around my state as safety schools, probably UGA.
@ANormalSeniorGuy @SoarinMotion
I disagree that UT is a high match. Since he is OOS, he is competing for only 15% of the seats (since 85% is reserved for in-state top 7%). UT Austin also has one of the most competitive CS programs and a 1390 wouldn’t even cut it for in-state (so I would say pretty much impossible for OOS).
I do agree that OP does need more safeties. His stats, while decent, aren’t exactly stellar, which could lead to him running out of options. Always apply to at least 1 or 2 safeties, so you won’t have to deal with the humiliation of being forced into a gap year by being rejected from every school you applied to.
I would say Duke is a pretty big reach - my mom went there for grad school and my aunts went there for undergrad and even with my legacy and 33 act, I would consider the school a reach for me. I think it’s good that you’re pushing yourself with course rigor and that you have your reaches, but I would definitely throw some safety schools in there just so you aren’t stuck with only 2 or 3 options to pick from. Best of luck with applications, I’m a junior as well and I know how stressful it can be.
I think the OP already know the answer to his question. It is fine to have reach schools on the list as long as you have enough matches and at least one safety.
OP, a match school is one that you are in at least the top 40% of applicants. A safety is at least top 20% of applicants.(IMO!!) If you search the admissions rate for these schools there are sites where you can input your SAT and GPA and it will compare you the averages at these schools. That is a good resource for finding matches and safeties.
I would say you want at least 2 safeties. My best friend applied to 3 schools total and didn’t get into any.
For OOS public schools, you should actually look at the higher end of mid 50 range.
Thanks for all the replies. I figured my scores and credentials were a bit on the mediocre side. Currently, my safety is Kennesaw State (parents’ call). I didn’t realize Duke was so much of a reach, but I guess that’s just my own fault. I suppose I could look at University of Florida or Florida State as a potential match/safety since I’m legacy there.
Before you get down on yourself @SoarinMotion just realize that your stats might not be currently good enough for Duke but you have another opportunity, maybe several, at your Standardized Tests…IIRC there is a late summer test date for SATs and/or ACTs and I’d spend the summer studying up on whichever one you feel most confident about. A 30 ACT is a great start if you can bump it a few points you are in the running. As others have said having a few true safety schools is great (Kennesaw State is an up and coming state school and will be a great place to get an education or kick butt Freshman year and attempt a transfer to a reach school). Those are pretty tough schools all around but not impossible if you can get a bump in tests and write amazing essays (spend your time this summer developing your essays). I’d also suggest finding a really good volunteer opportunity over summer break, something that hopefully makes sense to your intended major and don’t underestimate how good a job looks on an application. Have you also considered UGA, Univ of South Carolina etc? Other big schools with great reputation and strong programs but not as much of a reach? Good luck to you…I know the process is stressful but you really are starting at a strong academic point.
Yeah, I thought about UGA since my school tends to feed a lot of computer science kids there, including my teacher now going there for graduate studies @AmyBeth68. While I might be able to volunteer a whole lot, I did get an internship while my school’s district working on computer hardware which I hope is a plus.
Your UW looks a bit low for UC Davis and Santa Barbara especially if you are planning to major in CS. CS is probably one of the most competitive majors at the UC’s. You need to calculate your UC GPA to get a better idea of your chances.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Since you are OOS for these UC’s, then only your AP courses (10-11th grades) count for the extra Honors points. Also be aware that OOS students do not get any financial aid from the California UC’s so expect to pay $60K/year to attend.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:
UCB: 14%
UCLA: 14%
UCSD: 44%
UCSB: 54%
UCD: 58%
UCI: 65%
UCSC: 85%
UCR: 94%
UCM: 96%
Schools like to see you challenge yourself and have good HS course rigor, but not at the expense of your GPA. You should take AP classes where you have the best chance of getting A’s and not take AP classes just for the sake of having several on your transcript.
I would start with finding another safety school and work from the bottom up for your college list. Best of luck.