Better late than never! Can I get a chancing?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvey Mudd College
1

<p>So I only recently learned about HMC but everything I've read about it since has only served to increase my interest in it, enough to maybe even make it my first choice, meaning I can refrain from applying to a bunch of other schools if I know I have a good chance of getting in here. So what are my chances? This is my first time doing this so if I'm missing any info I'll add it later:</p>

<p>Middle eastern (I guess that technically makes me Caucasian) but born here to immigrant parents, male</p>

<p>(GPA is on a 100 point scale here)
100.508 W
Don't know what it is UW but probably around 98</p>

<p>Top 10 in a class of ~200, nationally ranked public school</p>

<p>SAT I: 2180 first time (690R/800M/690W)
2340 second time (740R/800M/800W)</p>

<p>SAT II: (Just took them for the first and only time, my guesses are as follows)
Math II: 800
Physics: Not entirely sure, I'm thinking upper 700s</p>

<p>APs: Only took one Junior year, Statistics (5)
Currently taking AP Bio, Calc AB, and Physics</p>

<p>Classes:
Freshman year I was all honors except for SS
Sophomore year same thing
Junior year doubled math (H precalc+AP Stats) and science (H phys+H chem) and dropped to CP for English
Senior year I'm taking the above APs, Honors Spanish V, and a CP english course (AP Bio is two credits here)</p>

<p>Distinctions:
Four year varsity for Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track + captain for Indoor
Lots of school-wide awards (Excellence in Freshman English, Freshman Science, Biology, Spanish III, Chemistry, Statistics, in addition to a Yale Book Award)
National Merit Semi-finalist (for now, probably a finalist)</p>

<p>EC/other:
Apart from running year round, nothing at all in school. This is what I assume will be my main weakness
Did a surprisingly selective three-day engineering camp last summer at University of Maine Orono
Last two years I've been paid to work the computer timing at some college and high school meets</p>

<p>Essay: Good, talks about running and guitar, not sure if that is good or bad when applying to HMC
Teacher Recs: Math one should be very good, the other good
Counselor rec: Good
Applying: Either RD or EDII</p>

<p>And I'll hopefully be running for CMS, assuming I don't get injured again this year</p>

2

<p>Aw come on, nobody? I guess I’ll be applying blind to my chances of getting in</p>

3

<p>Sure. CC chances don’t mean much, so you’ll be just as blind. </p>

<p>Your grades and SAT’s are good, however, you’ve taken surprisingly few AP’s, which is your main weakness. I don’t know how much weight they give to honors classes. They expect you to have taken a challenging schedule, and I don’t really see that. </p>

<p>You also have very few extracurriculars, and only one science/math related one. This is also a huge problem. </p>

<p>So while, because of your GPA and SAT score, it isn’t hopeless, but because of your lack of everything else, it isn’t exactly likely either. (40%?) So don’t refrain from applying to other schools, and really work on your essays.</p>

4

<p>meaningless as cc chances might be, this still helped a lot, thank you. I’m definitely riding on my gpa and sats since unfortunately I was pretty clueless about classes and missed some opportunities to challenge myself. I’m hoping that they’ll see the double-double I did last year as a sing that I at least tried to fix the situation, albeit somewhat late.</p>

5

<p>azisco,</p>

<p>Let Mudd know how much you love that school. They are a school that likes to see demonstrated interest. If you haven’t already contacted admissions and had an interview (not always possible, I know), do contact them by email or phone. Introduce yourself, tell them what you’ve told us, and ask questions that you might have at this point.</p>

<p>Explain your schooling in your essays. Explain your interest in Mudd and why it would be the perfect school for you. Explain how your background will contribute to the Mudd campus. </p>

<p>All of these things will help, truly!</p>

6

<p>OK, thanks for the tips. I’m definitely going to give the supplements extra attention because Mudd is the first school I’ve really felt an urge to apply to for reasons other than prestige. My anxiety and I despise interviews but that might be worth it for the boost.</p>

<p>Do you think that applying EDII over RD will noticeably improve my chances of admission? It is looking like Mudd is my first choice as of now.</p>

7

<p>It will increase your chances If you apply ED.</p>

8

<p>[President’s</a> Scholars Program | Harvey Mudd College Admission](<a href=“http://newwww.hmc.edu/admission/afford/scholarships-and-grants/merit-based-scholarships/presidents-scholars-program/]President’s”>http://newwww.hmc.edu/admission/afford/scholarships-and-grants/merit-based-scholarships/presidents-scholars-program/)</p>

<p>Apply for this scholarship, as well.</p>

9

<p>I think you certainly sound qualified. If possible, show that you challenged yourself in the essay or supplement. The readers probably only have time to glance at the classes. I wouldn’t say you have too few extracurriculars, if you are committed to running.</p>

10

<p>Mudd is a great school! You are definitely a reasonable candidate - the main thing would be fit in terms of style. Mudd’s not for everyone so visit and/or talk to Mudd admissions staff when they are on the road. ED candidates do get admitted at a higher rate, but they are also a rather self-selected lot so it’s not entirely clear how much of a boost it is. Don’t apply ED unless you are sure you will go if accepted.</p>