<p>First time posting here. I feel like I'm aiming too high with some of my colleges. Tell me your opinion. I'm split between mechanical engineering and comp sci.
Cal Poly Slo
UCI
UCLA
UCB
UCSD
USC
Olin College
Stanford
MIT
Carnegie Mellon
Harvey Mudd
Cal Tech</p>
<p>Asian
School doesn't rank
GPA: 3.59 unweighted, 3.83 weighted</p>
<p>SAT: single sitting: 2130 (math 770, writing 700, reading 660); highest scores: 2170 (math 770, writing 730, reading 670)
SAT IIs: Lit 610 (retaking), Math II 700 (retaking), Physics 660
AP Scores:
Calc AB 5
Language and Comp 4
APUSH 3
Physics 2 T_T</p>
<p>Classes (core classes)
9th: French 2, Bio (HP), Geometry (HP), Eng 1 (HP)
10th: French 3, World History (HP), Chemistry (HP), Eng 2 (HP)
Summer: Precalc
11th: Eng Lang Comp (AP), Calc AB (AP), Physics (AP), US History (AP)
12th: Eng Lit (AP), Calc BC (AP), Gov (AP), Comp Sci (AP)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
Tech Crew (A/V Club; morning video announcements, school sound system): 4 years president
GameDay (Athletics spirit club; SoCals only student run, high school sports site): 3 years website administrator
Key Club (Community service; 200+ hours; updates and maintains club website; won awards two years in a row at state level): 3 years tech chair
ASB (student government): 1 year technology commissioner, this year secretary</p>
<p>Internships
Interned over past summer at a reality TV show production company; editing casting reels and put together reality TV show pitches</p>
<p>i also do (freelance?) graphic/website work for a local design firm and for a non profit organization.</p>
<p>i am capable of looking up stats on these colleges myself (which i have). i was just wondering if my extracurricular activities and work experience would help me and if it would end up coming down to my personal statements. </p>
<p>i would say that you are definitely into most if not all the UCs and USC, with the other ones, it is always a crap shoot. Just make sure you have a hook, really good essays, and teacher recs, and if you can apply early. best of luck</p>
<p>Cal Poly Slo- match
UCI- match
UCLA- reach
UCB- reach
UCSD- lower reach
USC- lower reach
Olin College- high reach
Stanford- high reach
MIT- high reach
Carnegie Mellon- reach
Harvey Mudd- reach
Cal Tech- high reach</p>
<p>You definitely are too top-heavy, based on your stats/resume. You will not be as competitive at the top-tier schools, with most of the other applicants, given your GPA and test scores. I would still encourage you to apply to them and give it a shot. I would also apply to UCSB and UCD, if I were you. It’s the same amount of “work”, with only additional application fees for each. Re-calculate your GPA based on their UC GPA formula. I would also apply to one more safety school, perhaps a CA state college. San Jose State has a good Engineering school. I am assuming you are a CA resident. </p>
<p>Will you be needing financial aid? </p>
<p>You are a solid applicant with very good stats. Stanford, Olin, MIT, and Cal Tech are reaches or high reaches for ALL applicants. Best of luck.</p>