Chance me

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys,
I am supposed to apply to university next year as I am a rising senior, could you guys help me know if I have a chance in any of these colleges?

Carnegie Mellon University
UC Berkeley
UCLA
University of Texas at Austin
GeorgiaTech
University College London
UCSD

Brief summary:

I was born in Los Angeles, California, but I was raised in Lebanon, where I currently live and study. I plan on applying to colleges outside Lebanon including the ones in the US and the UK. I plan on majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

On the SAT, I received a score of 2030 (620 CR, 710 Math, 700 Writing).

I have done 2 APs last year(5 on Calculus AB, 4 on Computer Science A) and I am planning to do 3-4 more this year. (Calculus BC, Physics C: Electricity, Physics C: Mechanics, maybe Chemistry)

I am rank 8/44 in both sophomore and junior year with an average of A-. (Our school does not use the GPA system so I have no idea what my GPA is).

I am fluent in 3 languages: English, French, and Arabic.

As for my sports and activities, I have been swimming for more than half my life and participated in many regional swimming competitions during my childhood.
I don’t read a lot; I’m more of a movie person. (Although I guess colleges don’t want to know that)
The thing I spend most of my time doing at home alone is probably programming. I write codes passionately and consider my projects my children. (I’m not a freak I swear)
I participated in 2 Summer Programmes; one in Oxford University, and another in Columbia University.
I also participated in several volunteering works(Cleaning the beach, visiting the orphans, etc).

If my SAT isn’t high enough, I could always retake it this October or try taking the ACT. I’m planning on taking the TOEFL and SAT Subject Tests (Physics, Chem, and Math).

Thank you all for your time.

2

UCLA/UCB/UCSD are slight reach schools since you want to have your SAT in the 2100+ range for the best chance at an acceptance. With an A- average, your GPA may also be an issue since CS/CE are very competitive. Programming background is helpful. You need to bump up your test scores to increase your chances. Good luck

3

Since you no longer reside in LA, you will be paying OOS tuition at the UCs.

4

Alright thanks a lot guys! By the way, should I just retake the SAT or try out the ACT? I don’t think I can increase my SAT score, so I might go with the ACT.

5

@pipopito
Take a practice test on the ACT and see how you do. If you get a 29 (since this will be your first time taking the ACT) then I would suggest you take the ACT instead.

6

With an average grade of A-, I will ASSUME that your GPA is 3.7. That being said, Carnegie Mellon University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Texas at Austin, GeorgiaTech, UCSD are all reaches. I don’t know anything about English schools so I can’t chance you on that last one. Sorry.

Your SAT isn’t high enough for these schools, and your GPA doesn’t seem to make up for it.