<p><strong>Jump to second paragraph to chance me for the colleges</strong></p>
<p>Hi CC. First off, I just want to say how horrendous the CR section was on the June SAT. It was my second SAT and I did absolutely awful. I had skipped so many questions because CR is my weakness. I was aiming for 2000, but that did not quite happen. I got a 1930. I know that's one atrocious score according to CC. Therefore, I am kindly asking not to increase my worries by stating the obvious, which is how bad my scores are, as I am already filled with apprehension. </p>
<p>Anyways, these are my scores: CR - 520 . Math - 680. Writing - 730. This was my second time. I am going to be a senior. I am in New Jersey. My GPA in school is 4.30. I find out my UW GPA beginning of senior year apparently. I am ranked 6th out of around 150 juniors in my school. I did JV soccer, but then switched to Cross Country and was on Varsity in junior year. I am also doing it senior year. I was VP for 10th grade and was selected VP for 12th grade. I am in NHS and have numerous certificates for outstanding performance and excellence. I took part in Science League and am part of Renaissance program. I want to be a software engineer, and my major is Computer Science. Chance me for the following colleges [OOS for all]:
UCLA
UT- Austin
UC- Berkeley
UIUC
CMU
UCSD
USC
UM- College Park
John Hopkins
NYU</p>
<p>I know that I lack quite a few things that would increase my chances of being accepted, but please note that I am retaking the SAT a third and final time in October. I have hired Harvard students from a tutoring company who scored 2380+ to be my private tutors. The founder has promised me great results if I do study hard on my own as well, which I am willing to. I will be paired with three different tutors for each section and he said I can definitely score 2200 if I'm assiduous. I will also be taking the SAT II Subject Tests. Since I'm looking to go for Computer Science, I am going to take the Math II. As for the second, I haven't quite decided. Thank you CC!!</p>
<p>More ECs and those higher math scores are really your only weakness right now. Hopefully the tutors will help. You ECs may not matter that much if your recs make the admissions fall in love with you, and if you have a killer essay. Get going on your essays. Also, AP classes? Senior year courseload? They need to see that you are challenging yourself.</p>
<p>My school doesn’t offer many AP classes at all. I believe 7 in total, out of which I have taken 4. Only way to bring up my ECs is to take part in various clubs first semester and half of second semester of senior year. As for essay, is there a way to write a killer essay? As in, is there honestly a way where I can get professional help, preferably from an admissions officer himself who would guide me? And when should I start to work on developing my essays? Month before applying to colleges?</p>
<p>Start now! Be specific, especially for the college supplements. I hope you have visited the colleges, because then you can write about that one student you ran into or this one class you sat in on or maybe the one building that inspired you, etc.
There are people online that can help, but don’t waste your money. Read online forums and articles about how to write a killer essay and get started, ASAP. The sooner you write them, the better. That way in a month you can re-read it and fix anything. Then, by the time December rolls around, your essays should be perf. Get your guidance counselor and favorite english teacher to help you as well. Try to stay on one topic or incident, and conclude with a summary of what you’ve learned/gained from said incident.
Are you taking any more APs in senior year? Or atleast honors classes? Have you participated in a Dual-Enrollment program? Considering the colleges you’re applying to, they need to see that you’re really challenging yourself.</p>
<p>I have taken the 4 APs for senior year. The rest are honors classes. As for the essay, how do you find out the topics? Is the topic same for every college? I’m sorry for my ignorance. How long should it be?</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it! Google “Common App 2014-2015 Essays”. There should be four or five, with word limits of 650 words. As for the supplements, go to each colleges website and look around under application tabs and links that say “apply”. They will tell you what they need from you, and if they need a supplemental essay, they will tell you. I know some colleges will have something like “Why us?” or “what do you like about this college?” or something along those lines. This is literally a selling point. Make them feel like their school is god and that you fit in perfectly in these essays.</p>
<p>you just really need to get your scores up…</p>
<p>UCLA: Currently: reach/ if 2100 + match
UT- Austin: safe
UC- Berkeley: Currently: high reach/ if 2100+ low reach
UIUC: Match
CMU: Currently: reach/ if 2100+ high match
UCSD: Currently: low reach/if 2100+ match
USC: Currently: reach/if 2100+ low reach/high match
UM- College Park: match
John Hopkins: Currently: high reach/if 2100+ low reach/reach
NYU: Currently: reach/if 2100+ match</p>
<p>I think you are an excellent candidate except you need to raise your SAT scores to at least a 2000+ to be considered a possible candidate for those prestigious schools like CMU and UCLA.</p>
<p>@marilo12 I would agree with your whole list except UIUC… their CS program is one of the best and requires 1409+ to get in ENG school. Btw they also don’t superscore.</p>