Chance me for MIT, Stanford, Cornell, etc for computer science?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi there, I just wanted to see where I stood in relation to others for top universities for computer science such as MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Cornell, Berkeley, Carnegie, etc etc. I know that my grades and test scores are kind of weak, but I’m hoping that my extracurriculars and passion will shine through those cracks. Thank you for the chance, and please be brutally honest!

Unweighted GPA: 3.79/4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.3/5.0
Class rank: 18/390
ACT: 32 (one sitting)
Subject tests: 740 Math 2, 720 Bio E

Ethnicity: Mexican/Latino

AP Courseload by year:

Sophomore:
AP World History

Junior:
APUSH
AP Language
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics C

Senior:
AP Govt
AP Macroeconomics
AP Computer Science
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology

Extracurricular activities:

Marching Band (4 years, trumpet section leader Sophomore-Senior)

Symphonic Band (4 years, principal chair)

Jazz Band (4 years, lead trumpet)

Symphony Orchestra (4 years, principal chair)

Fort Worth ISD Honor Band (2 years)

All-Region Band North Texas (1 year)

All-State Trumpet soloist

Docent for the Kimbell Art Museum presenting Renaissance-era German paintings

National Honor Society (2 years)

Self- taught programmer starting at age 9, specializing in C++

Programming Club and UIL Computer Science Team (4 years, founder and president)

District-wide Computer Science competition winners (2 years)

Founder of computer science classes at a charter school for disadvantaged children, where I teach regularly

I do regular freelance programming work, and have made over $20000 in commercial programs that I’ve written for various corporations

Co-Founder and Lead Developer of new startup, where I made a rudimentary smart watch that controls home utilities through Bluetooth. Pitching to investors in the next couple of weeks.

Designed and manufactured the watch’s printed circuit board (I’m putting this on my MIT maker portfolio, along with my game engine)

2

Bump

3

Lol your got ECs got stronger and stronger as I went down the list, good job man. But i think with your URM status+ECs, you’re pretty golden. Of course there’s never any guarantee with schools like MIT & Stanford. I would say you have a 60-75% of getting into your top schools (granted your essays/recs are solid).

4

Nice to see the ECs with two clear focuses: Trumpet and Programming, both of which you have significant achievements in. Academically, your ACT and GPA are just high enough to put you in contention. If you have good essays, you should have good admissions results.
If possible, consider writing an essay connecting your music and programming interests.

5

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the advice!

6

Academically you are competitive. Your UW GPA and test scores are a tad low, but as a Hispanic URM you are in a strong position. Your ECs and interests stand out loud and clear. Good job.

I think Cornell is very likely. I think you have a strong shot at Stanford / MIT.

7

@Trumpetkid @1golfer1 good advice on using essays to bridge your interests. Am I the only one that thinks taking AP CompSci senior year is a waste of time and smacks of GPA padding? You could use that time instead for your amazing ECs or take a humanities AP like AP Euro.

8

Thanks a lot for the great responses! It’s reassuring knowing that I have a decent shot, especially at my #1 school (MIT). I’m applying EA there and I had my interview 2 weeks ago (it was amazing).

9

idk