Chance me, baby!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tufts University
1

<p>Ethnicity: Born in America, but Egyptian/Turkish parents. </p>

<p>SAT Reasoning Test: 1540/1600, 2340/2400</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level 2 - 740 (bleh, retaking this, too)
Math Level 1 - 750
Chemistry - 760
Literature - 650 (eh, I know, I know -- I'm retaking in Oct) </p>

<p>Advanced Placement Exams: </p>

<p>Calculus AB - 5
Computer Science A - 3
Chemistry - 5
Statistics - 5
English Language - 5
English Literature - 4 </p>

<p>(the english tests and computer science were self-study) </p>

<p>GPA: 3.44 Unweighted/3.73 Weighted
Class Rank: 72/592 </p>

<p>Significant Awards/Merits: </p>

<p>AP Scholar with Distinction
National Merit Scholarship semifinalist</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: </p>

<p>I'm a self-taught software engineer. I've designed and written hundreds of programs all on my own, from Paint programs, to video games, to music players (I'll probably include some of my programs on a CD with my application). </p>

<p>I'm also a self-taught musician, and I've recorded several independent albums on which I've played the guitar, bass, piano, and drums. (I'll probably send in samples of my work) </p>

<p>So, uh, chance me for Tufts, please? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>The only thing that is really hurting you is your GPA. A 3.44 unweighted is low, and the rank doesn't help much either. On the other hand, your SAT scores and ECs are great, so you might be lucked out there. Anyway, get back on track the first semester of senior year in terms of grades to get that GPA and rank up as much as possible.</p>

<p>Care to chance me as well? I'm also a nervous '09 applicant. My post is a bit below this one....</p>

3

<p>Hey, anyone willing to chance me? I'll return the favor; I promise!</p>

4

<p>I'd say your chances look pretty good. That's pretty awesome that you've programmed that many things. I'm kinda surprised you only got a 3 on CS A, as I managed to very easily get a 5 on AB and have no where near as much real-life experience as you. I did have a very good teacher, though, and I guess it shows that real programming experience doesn't relate directly to the AP test.</p>

5

<p>Well, I took the test without having taken the test or having written a single line of Java (I know, I know, I'm lazy...lol). I write most of my stuff in straight C, so the whole OOP paradigm was slightly alien to me :)</p>

6

<p>I agree, you are generally a very strong candidate even thought the GPA is low for Tufts. How high is Tufts on your list? Also, are you applying for Engineering or Liberal Arts?</p>

7

<p>I'm doing CS/EE, so engineering :)</p>

8

<p>I'd say a low reach for you. Your SATs, APs, and being self taught for those things are great. As others have said, just gotta raise that GPA, and Tufts could be a high match (or even a match, with such great ECs and scores).</p>