I’m planning on majoring in CS through the College of Engineering. Does anything in my stats put me above the ~13% general acceptance rate? I’m a white guy from a smallish Midwest high school, pretty average income and such, no specific hooks. Thanks for any comments you may have!
ACT Composite: 35
SAT II: Chemistry 750, Math II 760
GPA: 3.994 UW, 4.129 W (as of end of Junior year, 1st semester grades will be all As)
Class Rank: 2/180 (#1 after first semester grades go in)
Senior Schedule (Dual Credit courses are taught at high school, for both HS and college credit):
DC English Composition (Through local state university)
DC English Literary Interpretation
AP Psychology
DC Spanish IV
DC US History
Teacher’s Assistant (for chem teacher I peer tutor for)
Physics
DC Finite Math
Essays: Should be quite good, I’m putting a lot of work into them
Recs: Should range from Very Good to Glowing, asked the chem teacher I peer tutor/TA for and my DC English teacher who thinks highly of me
Extracurriculars/Awards:
Marching/Pep/Jazz/Concert Band - 9th/10th
National Spanish Honor Society - 10th onward
President of NHS - 12th
Key Club - 11th/12th, President this year
Peer Tutoring - 2 hours/wk
Camp Invention Counselor last summer
Private Tutor in Chem, Calculus, Geometry- 11th
National Merit Semifinalist
Various other leadership-based clubs
I’m in no position to chance you but just a tip. I’m pretty sure the essays (both common app and even more importantly the supplement) and extracurriculars are the most important parts of the application. If you hit these on the nail then your chances go up a lot. How much, we have no clue but make sure those are the best parts of your app and wish for the best of luck : )
@CCSenioritis Thanks for the advice! Considering how much of my application is set in stone, I’m definitely going to be putting a lot of work into the supplement so it’s as good as it can be.
Good scores all around but low-average EC’s. I was accepted to CoE with a 31 ACT, and a 4.0 UW GPA, so that proves scores aren’t everything. Getting into these schools are based on your essays and how well you come off, and unique. I’m sorry to say but there are other people applying that have the exact same stats and ecs. When you apply to these schools, just think in your head, “when the admissions rep reads my app after reading 100+ will I come off as unique?, or will I also be generic?, will my essay have anything different or jump out?”. Good luck!