Chance me at top schools, I'll chance back!!!!!!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I did a thread like this before, but I’ve added a few schools to my list, since I have legacies there. I’m applying in computer engineering/computer science majors.

Schools I’m applying to, in addition to the other thread:
Princeton University (2 Legacies, grandfather and great-grandfather who donated regularly)
Stanford University (1 Legacy, Uncle)
Harvard University (1 Legacy, Grandfather, Donated some)
Cornell University (5 Legacies, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents)

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1580 (790 M, 790 CR) (1 Sitting)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 780 Bio
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.70
Weighted GPA (Out of 5.0): 4.52
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10-15%, extremely competitive magnet program school

AP (place score in parenthesis): National AP Scholar, Computer Science (5), Biology (5), Physics (5), Chemistry (4), Statistics (4), BC Calculus (5), English Lang (5), World History (4), NSL (5)

IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Linear Algebra, Mathematical Physics (Crazy hard), Marine Biology, Political/Sports statistics, Honors English, AP Macro, Research Project

Pretty crazy course rigor throughout HS: Quantum Physics, Organic Chemistry, Linear Algebra, Discrete Math, Cell Physiology, Immunology, Analytical Chem, Physical Chem, Bio Chem, and all AP english and social studies’

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, National AP Scholar. Have applied to regeneron/intel STS and have a pretty good chance at getting to semifinals (I invented some computer stuff to markedly improve Parkinson’s research)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (leadership in parenthesis):

Debate Team (Captain of school team), Also on an independent team. Top 200 in the country, made NSDA Nationals and a bunch of other national tournaments. Round of 16 at a big international debate tournament.

3rd degree Black Belt, Have won a few sparring competitions

Independent Soccer Team (Captain, Goalkeeper) On it since kindergarten
Independent Baseball/Basketball teams, Low-level
Surf and Rock climb a lot

Job/Work Experience: Interned in a pretty well-known Parkinson’s disease lab over the summer at UCLA, invented something to improve their research. Camp counselor the previous two summers
Volunteer/Community service: Lots of miscellaneous stuff, but the Camp counselor work experience was as a volunteer.
Summer Activities: (See above)

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

Essays are 8+, both parents are writers and I have them working with me on them. I’ve got a lot of dramatic, good stories about how my grandparents have Parkinson’s so I did Parkinson’s research, carried a kid out of a valley on my back during a camping trip when he gashed his knee open, etc.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: Computer Science Teacher, 8/10. He had everyone he gave a rec to fill out a form, so I gave him a bunch of good material to write about. Very eloquent guy, Harvard journalist turned CS major, should be a good rec.
Teacher Rec #2: Economics teacher: 9-10/10. Loves me, I get hundreds on everything in his class.
Counselor Rec: 8/10. I talk with her fairly often, she likes me. Gave her some good material to write about
Additional Rec:10/10 From the PI of the lab where I worked, well-respected researcher. Said he would write a “Glowing” rec for me at the end of the internship
Interview: I’ve interview well, have had a few and they’ve gone well so far

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes, but don’t really need it
Intended Major: Computer Engineering, maybe double major with econ/business
State (if domestic applicant): MD
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Public, Magnet
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Upper
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): No real hooks

Obviously these schools are tough to chance in most situations, but I’m wondering how much of a leg up being a legacy will give me, and what my chances will look like with that factored in to this. Thanks.

2

My understanding is that uncle legacies mean nothing. Usually its parents and grandparents.

Can you afford these schools?

3

@Jpgranier Yes, financing them won’t be too much of a problem. Some schools mention uncle/cousin legacies, princeton among them.

4

Hi,
I think overall you should apply and give it a shot. The schools you are looking at are extremely competitive and are looking for students who are diverse and will leave college with skills used in daily life. Your GPA is lower then most students who apply have, but it seems you have also been taking more difficult classes. I suggest trying to get your SAT score up a little more to show them that your GPA is lower bc you’ve taken harder classes. Also, make sure your college essay is very interesting, it will help you stand out- you have a good topic. Overall, your chances seem even, but if you get yourself to stand out and improve just a little more I’d say you have pretty good chances.

5

@walkingoncustard I’m not sure how much higher I can get my SAT… I’ve got a 35 ACT to back it up, with 36 on the STEM part. My essays are really good, I’ve spent a lot of time on all of them and both parents/counselors/teachers have given me feedback to refine them, which I’ve done.

6

With that ACT score, I’d say your chances are pretty good and your weighted GPA is what I am pretty sure most colleges look at which is also very good (I mixed those up in my last comment) You also have interesting extra curricular activities that you’ve been successful in which always says a lot!

I hope it works out!

7

great, thanks.

8

I expect you’ll get into Cornell since you’re true legacy… the others are a crapshoot since you have no true hook. Although you’re qualified don’t get your hopes up for Stanford, Harvard, or Princeton.

9

Chance back: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1946391-emory-emory-oxford-wake-forest-davidson-nyu-holy-cross-gw.html#latest

10

OK, so I’ve just learned some interesting stuff. Firstly, most of the schools to which I’m applying entirely drop freshman year from their GPA calculations. This pretty substantially bumps my GPA, from a 3.7 to a 3.8 UW exactly, and then also boosts my WGPA from a 4.5 to a 4.7. How much would this increase my chances at some of these top places? (Also, other side note, the rest of my application, at least essays, will likely be as close to perfectly tailored as possible because I’ve gotten to talk to some people who used to interview for them and know exactly what they want)

11

though you can list them, legacy mainly refers to parents. Did you get Regeneron STS semfinalist? Also, thought the schools might drop it from calculations, they do look at the freshman grades.