16- Junior in HS
I have mediocre stats but here goes…
4.4 GPA - 27/432 (top 6.3%) - all honors or AP
SAT: 1930 (currently studying hardcore: goal score is 2170, I know this score simply isn’t good enough yet)
ACT: waiting on scores
White-Male, however may count as diversity in another aspect… not sure if this would benefit me at Texas Universities
Consistent Chemistry Tutoring (certain i could get amazing rec from chem teacher)
Formed a business with my sister(job) grew from 2 founders to 5 employees in less than year, profitable.
Science UIL, BioOly, ChemOly, SciBowl, Math Club… casual nerdy clubs
Attended a Biotechnology camp in the summer (BioForce) at the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (Texas A&M).
I build computers and design apps as a hobby. My partner and I have released two games so far and are currently working on a social media platform.
NJHS Vice President and future NHS officer (waiting on that, applications haven’t started yet)
Invited to participate in Stanford Summer College (could not due to $, not sure if this means anything…)
Interning with a chemical engineer at TAMU this summer, also enrolling at a local CC for programming class
Interned at JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund) fixed printers, computers, office stuff. Invited back for their major events due to satisfactory work
Silver Medal in National Latin Exam, Honors in the National Spanish Exam
Varsity Tennis Freshman Year
Chance me for CompSci and Civil Engineering? Thanks.
Nobody can tell you for sure but you have already pinpointed your weakness - your SAT scores. ASEE has stats on new admission to UT engineering, including computer science. The 75th quartile is 2220 with 1490 for math and writing (which I think is what UT looks at) and the 25th quartile is 1910 or 1290 for math and writing. I do not know if it more competitive to get into CS or engineering but I would assume its about the same. You have great ECs. This year concentrate on improving the SAT scores or seeing if you do better on the ACT. Keep grades up and write some great essays next year. Good luck!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your advice! Currently I am adding one more EC (Computer Programming in SkillsUSA), studying for the SAT 10 hours a week with one practice test per week, and for junior year in the past 2 six weeks I have had only 100s (with one 98) in my classes which are all AP or Honors. Hopefully my SAT prep pays off! I’m taking the old SAT two more times, then it’s gone for good!
I think that is great and improves your chances tremendously. A 33 ACT is comparable to a 2220 - 2270 SAT which puts you right up there in the 75th quartile. Good job! Now you just have to wait with fingers crossed.
Thanks @GTAustin , I actually plan to take it once more and shoot for a 35(scholarship purposes). Hopefully my new CS based extracurriculars, greatly improved standardized test score, and improving rank will help me get in. Also, when you say “right up there in the 75th quartile” is that for the CNS as a whole or for exclusively CompSci. Because I understand that a 33 is a 99%ile score… I can’t imagine my score being anything but above average for CS at UT Austin. Thanks again.
Actually those stats come from the ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education) website for UT Austin that is for engineering but also includes CS. It is not specific for CS, but I would think that CS and engineering stats would be comparable. Again, good job but you’re right to increase your chances for scholarships keep trying to inch the stats up.
@GTAustin If I may ask, I took both the ACT and the SAT. My scores are as following: ACT: 28 (20 Writing, 25 Science, 29 English, 26 Reading and a 33 in math.). My SAT score is a 1900 (660 math, 640 writing and 600 reading.) As of now, I have only sent my ACT scores, because I thought they were better than my SATs (Atleast the math section). But after I read what you said
“The 75th quartile is 2220 with 1490 for math and writing (which I think is what UT looks at) and the 25th quartile is 1910 or 1290 for math and writing.”
I started to think about also sending my SAT scores, because my combined math and writing scores (a total of 1300) are actually just ABOVE the 1290 mark for the 25th procentile. Would sending my SATs help or hinder my application?
@GustafAngus - I have been trying to verify that UT Austin looks just at math and writing vs all 3 areas. I thought I had read it at one point and remembered because it was so different. Most universities if only considering 2 areas choose math and reading not writing. That said, I cannot find where I read that based on the info so based on info that I can verify - ASEE scores and your total scores for all areas, I would say no, do not send your SAT scores. My reasons - your best score is the 33 in math on the ACT.
Based on ASEE for ACT scores:
75th 25th
Math 35 30
Composite 34 30
You are again significantly above the 25th percentile in math with the 33 and that is important for computer science. That score translates to above a 700 SAT score. A 28 composite score translates to 1920 - 1970 right in average of 1940 for the 25th percentile. Your actual SAT score was lower. I think your ACT score is your best score to go with.
Good luck and write some great essays!
@GustaAngus - One more thing - even if UT Austin only looks at math and writing (which again may only be a figment of my imagination) I still would go with your ACT scores because of that math score. I think that score is more important than the writing for computer science. Hopefully your grades, ECs and essay are strong and will help compensate for the reading score. - Again, good luck.
@GTAustin thanks! I have actually applied to computer engineering, not science. I know I don’t have a great shot, but what the heck!
Also, i did write great essays, atleast in my opinion. I really tried to perfect them. Thats why my application was sent so late (I applied 2nd November). Lets hope for the best
@GustafAngus - Sorry about getting your major wrong but I think that actually works in your favor. I think CS and some other engineering disciplines are harder to get accepted to UT Austin than CEE. I know BME and ChemE are extremely tough but EE and CE seem to be slightly less competitive. All you can do is give it your best shot.
