Can I get into Carnegie Mellon? What can I do to improve my chances?

<p>I will apply to H&SS and maybe Tepper. I just started the second semester of junior year.</p>

<p>Grades:
-3.72 Unweighted GPA
-4.3 Weighted GPA
-Currently in top 17% of class at competitive arts high school</p>

<p>I have not taken the ACT or SAT yet (signed up for February and March tests). Shooting for AT LEAST a 30 and a 2100. I will also take SAT Subject Tests in Reading, Math, and US History.</p>

<p>AP Exams
-Human Geography (3)
-World History (4)</p>

<p>Classes:
-8th Grade: Algebra 1 Honors
-9th Grade: Communications Wheel (2 periods, so 2 credits), AP Human Geography, PE, English 1 Honors, Geometry Regular, Biology 1 Honors, Spanish 1
-10th Grade: Algebra 2 Honors, Chemistry 1 Honors, Spanish 2, Creative Writing 1/2, English 2 Honors, Film 2 Honors, AP World History
-11th Grade: Film 3 Honors, Creative Writing 3 Honors, AP European History, AP English Language and Composition, AP Statistics, AP US History, Physics 1 Honors, Precalculus Honors, Spanish 3 Honors
-Planned Summer Courses: Calculus 1 and Biology at my local community college, Spanish 4 Honors
-Planned 12th Grade: AP Psychology, Film 4 Honors, Creative Writing 4 Honors, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Art History, Honors Economics/AP Government (may add one more course)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-Red Cross Club (9)
-Key Club (9, 10, 11, will be 12. Will run for a Key Club officer position for 12th grade)
-Debate Team (10, 11, will be 12)
-National Honor Society (11, will be 12)
-Communications Honor Society (11, will be 12)
-Volunteer at Animal Shelter (11, will be 12)
-Currently in the process of co-founding my school's National English Honor Society chapter. Once that gets on its feet, I will be the co-president.
-Piano Lessons (9, 10, 11, will be 12)
-Have done babysitting and petsitting since 8th grade. Will get consistent job this summer.
-Volunteered at Locks of Love this past summer and will continue to do so next summer.
-Considering participating in National History Day (it may be too late).
-Beginning to work on earning the Congressional Award</p>

<p>Awards:
-Placed 5th in 1 Debate Tournament for Oral Interpretation (I know this is shabby, but I've only attended 4 of them. I can still rack up more of these awards).
-National Society for High School Scholars
-Will earn Congressional Award
-Possible Awards to Come: Scholastic Writing, Palm Beach International Film Festival, National History Day, AP Scholar Award</p>

<p>Other Stuff:
-Film featured in school's communications showcase (9, and possibly 11 [showcase is not until April]).
-Attended regular preparatory meetings and submitted assignments for the People to People trip to Europe (9; due to unexpected medical complications, I could not actually attend the trip that summer).
-Attended the National Student Leadership Conference for Journalism and Mass Communications (summer before junior year)</p>

<p>So, do I have a shot? What can I do to improve my chances?</p>

<p>i think you have a chance at CMU. i have a few friends who had similar gpa who got in and you certainly have a nice list of extracurricular activities. </p>

<p>keep up the involvement and good scores (sat II’s and SAT along with a couple more AP)</p>

<p>good luck!</p>