Chance me Rutgers and UMass Amherst

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’ve listened to advice on this sub, and I have decided to apply to some more schools that are based on fit + major. My supplemental essays are all done for UMass Amherst, and I have submitted my applications.

I’m asking for my chances because I don’t have National Merit Semifinalist :open_mouth:
Demographics

  • US citizen
  • State/Location of residency: (NY)
  • Type of high school (public high school, competitive, sends about 10-15 students to T20s, also sends quite a few more to schools like UC Berkeley, UMich, Carnegie Mellon, etc.):
  • Gender/Race/Ethnicity : Asian, Indian male
  • Other special factors (first generation to college, legacy, athlete, etc.): None :frowning:

Intended Major(s)
Data Science, Computer Science

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.9(1 B freshman year liberal arts honors course)
  • Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 4.44
  • Class Rank: ~top 5%
  • ACT/SAT Scores:
    SAT: 1580
    SAT Subjects if they even matter: Math 2(800), Chemistry(770, probably won’t submit)

Coursework(took almost all APs + Honors, I only missed AP World History, AP Lit, AP Spanish, with Spanish I moved up to Spanish 4 Honors in junior year then dropped it in senior - will this hurt me?)
(AP Chemistry(5), AP Physics C:Mech(5), AP Physics C: E+M(5), AP Calculus BC(5), AP Lang+Comp(4), AP Stats(5))
Taking Multivariable Calculus+Linear Algebra, AP Econ(Micro+Macro), AP Comp Sci A, AP Environmental Science, AP Bio in Senior year
Awards(oops, all the time went to EC’s)

  1. Quiz Bowl National Qualification
  • Along with multiple other Quiz Bowl Awards, such as placing 7th/27 teams, 1st/36 teams, and 3rd/36 teams at state level tournaments, latter tournament qualified us for nationals
  1. 2x Trivia Team State Champion/Runner-up award
  2. National Merit Commended
  • and 2 other awards that probably won’t have an impact on my application

Extracurriculars
(The years in parentheses are for how many years of participation, not leadership)

  1. Quiz Bowl Team(Co-Founder, Captain, 11-12) - Led team to Nationals in our first year(did not compete because of COVID restrictions), organized 12+ hour long weekly practices, featured in school + regional newspapers for our growth and accomplishments(wrote about in essays)
  2. International CS-related non-profit(Founder, Lead Organizer, 11-12) - Relatively new, decently big impact, we actually do have a bunch of cool accomplishments(not a fluff activity), applying for 501c3, received 4 figures in grants + donations and most likely will get news feature prior to ED apps.
  3. Trivia Club/team(President, Varsity Captain, 9-12) - Won the award mentioned above, wrote practice tests, coached and mentored members, etc.
  4. Outside of School Speech/Debate Club(VP, 9-12), organized some decently sized speech and debate events, designed a web application that allows my debate club to organize + function better in the future
  5. JV/Varsity Sport(JV Captain, 9-12) - self explanatory
  6. Political org/club in my school (Board member, 10-12)- organized some pretty cool events, built our website, increased membership, coordinated with other state chapters to set up politics-related events
  7. Data Science + Physics related research internship at a state university(12) - I’m probably going to put it higher on my list
  8. Internship at a small CS + consulting company(11) - also probably going to put it higher on my list - no publications
  9. A Coaching + Mentoring program for my sport(Head Coach + Founder, 10-12) - coached + mentored younger students through my sport(listed above), raised money for a local government-sponsored non-profit($1000+), recruited student coaches, had a personal letter written to me by the non-profit
  10. 50+ hours of volunteering at a hospital(canceled by COVID)

Essays/LORs/Other
Essays look pretty good right now. My recommendation letters from my counselor and teachers are strong, since I have connections to them through my extracurriculars. I’ve also built a great bond with them as well, and I expect that rec letters will be another shining point in my application. Since I am applying engineering, I asked my AP Chemistry and AP Calculus BC teachers. I also have family connection with Cornell(although it is unfortunately not a legacy connection, but will write a bit in additional info/family connection spaces if possible), and I have wanted to attend Cornell for quite a while now.

Cost Constraints / Budget
None

Schools
Cornell (ED), Columbia, Duke, UPenn, Carnegie Mellon, Umich, a NY state school, University of Pittsburgh(already accepted), Washu, Vanderbilt, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UIUC, Johns Hopkins (ED2, Applied Math +Statistics)

2

And chances for any possible merit even though I don’t have National merit Semifinalist status?

3

Possible anywhere - the title is Rutgers and UMASS - definitely and with merit at UMASS. Some will say I’m wrong - that UMASS is tough and I respect that.

You won’t get merit Cornell, Columbia, Penn, etc. as they don’t offer merit. Duke, WUSTL, Vandy, etc . will be tough.

So I see you getting into Rutgers, UMASS, PItt (already) and UIUC. The others - I’d assume not but not shocked if you got in - but zero merit - especially at the UCs, UIUC, etc.

Good luck.

4

Your unweighted grades, class rank, AP scores and SAT puts you in a reasonably good position at the selective schools. There is a good chance UMass and other colleges will offer merit scholarships, e.g. to bring your cost down to in-state equivalent.

Unless you have any specific concern, I would expect a number of acceptances, hopefully incl. one from the elite colleges you listed.

Of course, there is no merit aid from Ivys, as EVERYONE would get it. They only match NEED.

5

I just want merit from Rutgers or UMASS

6

So what’s driving your final decision then - money? Must not be because you list Cornell as ED and if you get in, it’s over.

That said, schools like WUSTL and Vandy have scholarships that require extra apps so I suggest you fill those out too.

On a monetary basis, UMASS and Rutgers are less even full pay than many on your list.

So I guess I’m confused by the statement…but I think UMASS you’ll get some. Rutgers has less - but they do have.

Of course, if you get in Cornell and it’s possible - then none of it is relevant.

7

If I don’t end up at one of my top choices, I hope to end up at a school with a good CS program that can give me some merit money. My parents are fine with paying for everything, its that I would like some money options available so that I can at least weight in T20 vs. state school with merit.

1 Like
8

For Regular Decision only, of course

9

You should apply to schools with auto merit like Bama, UAH, Arizona, Arizona State, etc. if you;re seeking merit. U of SC too - they have a great Honors Program.

Or a school like WPI that has merit, etc.

10

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