Hi
I’m a white girl from a small suburb in Wisconsin trying to major in computer engineering/computer science:))))
ACT - 34
GPA (UNWEIGHTED) - 3.81
GPA (APS WEIGHTED) - 4.14
*my school not my “UC GPA”^
*Still have to take SAT Subject tests (I’m doing math 1 and chem)
APs:
w/5 on exam:
Calc BC
Human Geography
Psych
Stats
w/4 on exam:
US History
Chemistry
AP/College Classes Senior Year:
AP Physics
AP Computer Science A
AP Microeconomics
Calc 3 (through local college)
Linear Math (^^)
Lifespan Psychology(^^)
Extracurriculars:
-Varsity tennis, 1st place at a local school hosted tournament (4 years)
-Founder and President of school’s first Ping Pong Club (2 years)
-Head of Fundraising Prom Committee (1 year)
-National Honors Society (2 years)
-French Honor Society (2 years)
-French Club (4 years)
-Math team (4 years) - as a part, I tutored other math students once a week
-Weekly volunteering at local nursing club
-Volunteered over summers for STEM related summer camps for kids at local museum
Work:
-Volleyball Scorekeeper (4 years)
-Paid Intern at City Hall - Specifically community development department (I attended regular meeting with the mayor & staff that I created powerpoints and staff reports for, researched the Municipal Code to see if certain projects were allowed, assisted citizens applying for permits and helping resolve complaints) **probs the coolest thing about me, hoping I can write an essay about it and make it my hook
-Library Page at local library
I’m also struggling with how I should “package” myself on my application. I was thinking to talk a lot about how I love my city (the job at city hall) but would this come across as too cheesy? or should I instead focus on ping pong or how I love teaching others (math team & stem camps)? idk any help is much appreciated thank you!!!
also should I try aiming lower? Is Cornell/Berkeley/UCLA/USC aiming too high? If so, what range of colleges would I fit?
ahh thanks again!!!
nothing stands out compared to the other CE/CS applicants for these schools. Keep in mind these are all schools in the top 10 for this respective field and they are much harder to get into than if you were applying as a different major.
Do you think I would have a better shot applying for CAS than as a woman engineer?
For OOS, UCs are going to expensive. Can you afford the 60,000? Also no financial aid either.
I assume that Wisconsin-Madison is going to be your safety.
I might take out one of the UCs and consider Carnegie Mellon, although their CS program acceptance rate is Ivy level (think low teens/singe digit).
thank you everyone for the helpful advice
@idkwhatidoing - You have a very good ACT score that makes you a viable candidate at those schools.
Cornell, being an Ivy, is a reach for everyone.
Both the UC’s are difficult OOS but if you’re full pay that could help.
My daughter was accepted to USC with lower test scores than yours. I’d say you’re EC’s might be slightly better (more unique) than my daughter’s; Editor-in Chief of newspaper, President of Latin club, President of Neuroscience club, President of a school chapter honor society, and others.
I do believe that some schools like to pluck students from underrepresented area’s. Being from a small suburb could help your application stand out. As far as your essays, being honest about what you’re passionate about is always a good idea.
You would likely have a better chance at the CAS. USC has great CS and Engineering Departments and, I believe, the acceptance rate is lower for these schools. USC is also much more likely to give financial aid if it’s needed.
bump - should i try for columbia/princeton/yale/harvard early decision? lol I need to research further which one is the best fit for me but I don’t want to waste my early decision on a pipedream you know? idk
if you really like those schools, then the point of ED/SCEA is to show your interest by applying to those schools. If those are your top schools and finance isn’t a problem, then I think you should.
DD 2020 NC CH applied 2years ago OOS and was admitted in UCBerkley CAS (you can do CS/ Cognitive Sci from CAS) with ACT35, UWGPA 3.87, similar extracurriculars, NMSF, NHS, AP scholar with distinction ((9 APs+3 college courses). Our observation, OOS white girls have better chance in CAS UCB than Eng, plus more flexibility, especially if CS is preferred to CE (or wanting to double major, as my DD elected). She attended a summer Biotech course at UCB as hs junior and they were told that school of engineering is toughest to get in, plus hard to switch if down the road one changes their mind, so she chose to play it safe and applied and got admitted into CAS. She was also accepted in UM/ Engineering, UVA, UNC CH, CMU, but rejected Cornell, waitlisted U Chicago. She ended up going to UNC CH due to double major (CS/NS)+ minor in piano performance. Good luck!