Chance a Junior Who Really Wants to Go to CMU

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>The Basics:
Grade: 11th
UWGPA: 3.81
WGPA: No clue
Ranking: School does not do ranking, but I think I'm in the top 50 of a class of about 600ish students? (best estimate I can make)
Type of School: Far too competitive for its own good</p>

<p>Test Grades:
SAT II: US History (740), Math IIC (790), Going to take Chemistry
ACT: 34 (English 34, Math 35, Reading 32, Science 35)
AP: US History (5), Computer Science AB (took this year, hoping for 5), Calculus BC (took this year, hoping for 5), English Language and Composition (took this year, hoping for a 4), Biology (senior year), Physics (senior year), Chemistry (senior year), Political Science (senior year), Macroeconomics (senior year), English Literature and Composition (senior year), Latin (senior year) and maybe a couple more but I haven't decided at this point</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities: Internships, Lots of Volunteering, Piano for more than a decade, school band, lots of leadership stuff (band, clubs, etc.), Science Club, Computer Science Club...bleh too many to name</p>

<p>Awards: Couple from school, couple for piano, couple for science club and computer science club, some awards from internship, etc.</p>

<p>Planned Major: Computer Science</p>

<p>School in CMU: SCS</p>

<p>Chances? D:</p>

2

<p>I think you have a fair shot, but with SCS you really never know. It’s by far the toughest school at CMU to get into.</p>

3

<p>you have the foundation for a great app. Looks like you are signing up for a rigorous senior year course load, and that is a good thing. I strongly suggest you sign up for one of the sleeping bag visit weekends in the fall. While you are there, sit in on some CS classes and then schedule an interview. If you truly like the school and can convey that in your interview and/or application, I think you have a good shot. good luck</p>

4

<p>Yes, I also suggest that you ask for an interview. I believe from my own experiences that CMU is a school where the interview can potentially make <em>the</em> difference.</p>

<p>Your credentials look very strong the way you have presented them, but as already mentioned, SCS is the toughest to be accepted into.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>Thanks guys! Anymore suggestions/chances? :smiley: These are really helpful, thank you so much!</p>

6

<p>What have you done in the summer? What sort of computer languages/operating systems are you familiar with? My son got in a couple of years ago, he had experience working for a computer software company, had taught himself to use Linux, done MIT’s open courseware for Scheme, and done some volunteer work - programming something for a chemistry researcher, doing some modeling for a bio researcher. I don’t think every SCS prospective student has done as much as he had, but lots have.</p>

7

<p>The SCS admin staff say they want students who can do two things - be able to handle the classwork, and take advantage of the unique opportunities at CMU. A few years back, they eliminated the requirement for previous programming knowledge (although that was partly to achieve more female students). They do like strong math aptitude. My S had excelled in school, had lovely test scores, and participated in summer CS programs for several years along with the usual math and science teams and CS club. I would guess it was his scholastic achievements and sustained CS/math interest that got him admitted.</p>

<p>Here’s the link to the SCS undergrad program page:</p>

<p>[SCHOOL</a> OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, Carnegie Mellon](<a href=“http://www.cs.cmu.edu/prospectivestudents/undergraduate/index.html]SCHOOL”>Undergraduate Programs)</p>

8

<p>It’s true that SCS doesn’t require previous programming experience, my understanding from what I’ve read, is that this was partly to improve the gender ratios. The culture of most high schools is such that there are very few girls messing around with computers, but there are plenty who have the aptitude and will succeed given a chance. I just tend to think the more you can bring to the table, the better your chances are.</p>

9

<p>It’s actually a really funny story on how I became interested in computer science; I was planning on taking more science oriented courses rather than computer courses. These courses filled up because I had several schedule conflicts (such as band and Latin), so I was forced to choose either AP Art History or AP Computer Science. I originally disliked computer science (seeing example practice tests scared the living soul out of me) but I did not like AP US History either. Therefore, I took AP Computer Science. Though I struggled first semester (since most kids already took previous computer science courses), I still pulled off an excellent grade and soon fell in love with computer science. I entered competitions such as the ACSL and went off to self-study Computer Science AB; I now do Project Euler for fun everyday and I absolutely love computer science. I guess bad things also bring good things!</p>

<p>Over the summer I plan to intern at UCI and take more computer science classes. I can’t afford the expensive college classes, so I’m taking these classes at my local community college.</p>

<p>My only concern is that I’m only okay at math. I have always been in accelerated courses and AP’s, but I’ve always only maintained an A- average. :&lt;/p>

10

<p>just a thought, it might be easier applying to CIT, then take 15211 (requires 21-217 and 15111- which has been renamed) and transfer to CS</p>