GPA: 3.87 W/3.53 UW
PSAT (old): CR: 610 M: 590 W: 540
New PSAT: lol who knows but probably somewhere above 650 for CR+M
APs: AP Lang, AP Bio (4), AP Gov (3), AP Chem, and next year, AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Physics 1&2
ECs: Swimming since age 5, swam for the school from soph to senior, student government soph to senior, performed in school musicals and plays 6th grade to senior, honors choir (upperclassmen only, by audition) junior and senior, played oboe 4th grade to senior, sang in school + other choirs 4th grade to senior, self-taught piano, flute, and guitar
Awards: Maximum Honors 6th grade to current, National French Honors Society member, varsity swimmer, and various academic awards at the school level. We don’t offer NHS until the end of 11th, sadly.
I am a girl, so I’m kind of hoping that will help me a little bit here because of the male/female ratio. I do realize that all my ECs are non-science/math/engineering-related at all, but I’m hoping they’ll just think I’m well-rounded because my math and science grades are good. Thanks in advance!
Your grades look OK: I wouldn’t say a 3.53 UW is strong but it isn’t especially weak for WPI. I think you have a decent chance of getting in. Also, getting a 3 on an AP test doesn’t look strong either; study harder and aim for a 5 (make sure you’re understanding what you’re studying).
The 590 math PSAT score is not very good though. If I were you, I would practice intensely and retake, aiming at 650+ (ideally 700+). It’s very much possible to increase your score by practice.
You seem like an interesting person. Don’t get too caught up in actually believing that being a girl will help you too much in getting into WPI (or anywhere else). Much of life is a meritocracy and you want to stand on your own.
radiix, here’s something to think about. Cost of education is ridiculously high everywhere including WPI. One way to reduce the cost is to get merit scholarships. Bigger merit scholarships are given to those above the average pool of candidates although I would like to believe that if a student is admitted, some level of merit s is granted (not all the time; and lower amounts for those in the bottom of the curve). So it’s not just a matter of ‘getting in’ (unless of course money is not an issue). It’s about ‘getting in’ with some reasonable financial support. The way you get the higher amount of financial support is to apply to schools where your profile is at the higher part of their curve. With WPI your profile may get you in, but may not result in a significant amount of merit aid. But I recommend you apply to the schools you feel you are a fit because not applying gives you a “zero” chance, while applying gives you some chance. You never know, they may need and want your well rounded background, your swimming EC, your interest in music. These are things schools take into account. They don’t want the same type of person all the time. They look for diversity of interests that will make the school vibrant and interesting. You sound like a very interesting person - play that to give you some edge.
What @markab2 says is very valid. One other thing I’d like to add is that a lot of your competition is invisible to you. Part of the reason that admission to selective colleges is becoming harder is because wealth is being distributed across the world and more international students are applying to US colleges. International students are also competing with you for scholarships and financial aid. Many of these students are highly qualified.
You don’t need to worry about the competition, but it’s something to be aware of. In general, it is good to have a “growth mentality” and try to focus on improving your abilities. Especially at this stage of your life, you cannot settle and believe you are doing “well enough”.
@frontage, I agree somewhat. However, I do not believe that international students are competing for merit aid as much as believed. On the contrary, there are articles that say big colleges are padding their numbers with international students because they pay more than 100% of the full cost. One article, I recall stated that a large university (can’t remember which) relied on international students to cover 50% of its operating cost and got hurt last year when China cracked down on its wealthy families sending their kids to the U.S… I am sure there are a number of full scholarships given to exceptional international students but those are few. I agree that the slots are being taken by international students (more IS admitted, less U.S. applicants admitted) but this is because the schools are addicted to raking it in. They are now the new Wall Street.
Thanks for responding! My scores on the new PSAT ended up being 690/720 (about a 770/800) on reading and 610/720 (about a 670/800) on math. I know I’m still not above average here, but I’m honestly really interested in WPI. I am looking at schools right now that would probably give me at least some aid.
@radiix Don’t discount WPI giving you aid at this point. If you do get a 770R/670M of the SAT, you are a competitive applicant. I think you can do even better on the SAT than on the PSAT (I went from a 19X/240 to a 22X0/2400). Just focus on understanding what you’re learning well. Good grades and scores will follow and I think you could be strong candidate for good a scholarship as well.
Even if you continue doing the same, I think you will get some aid. And I would suggest applying to RPI, Case Western, RIT, and other schools including your state school so you can compare offers and make a rational choice. Don’t be discouraged.