Chance Me

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Please chance me!

Umass Amherst - CS

Uconn - CS or Econ + Special Law program

Purdue - CS

UW Madison - CS

UT Austin - CS

University of Washington - CS

UCLA - Political Science

Georgia Tech - International Affairs

Boston University - International Relations

Northeastern - CS and Political Science combined major or CS/Econ

George Washington - International Affairs

American University - Law-Public Policy-Society

NYU - Business

Cornell - Political Science

Stanford - Art

Upenn - International Relations

Other colleges I am thinking about: Dartmouth, Tufts Georgetown, Tulane, Babson, Bentley

SAT: 1500

ACT: just took waiting for the result

Math 2: 710

World History: 730

US History: will take

Biology M: will take

GPA: 3.85 Un-weighed, 4.35 weighed

For state schools my home state is MA.

EC’s:

Oil Painting: Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Key, Congressional Art Awards: still waiting for the result

Model UN: President: Attended Eagle MUN: Will go to nationals in DC fall of next year

Speech and Debate: Group Discussion: 3rd Holly Winter Tournament, 4th Newton South Tournament, 3rd Mardi Gras Tournament

Junior Classical League

Unicef Club: Volunteering

Varsity Tennis

Art National Honors Society: Co-founder and Co-Captain

Biological Research at WPI

Investment Club: Secretary

AP Classes:

Sophomore Year: CS A - 4

Junior Year: Bio, Calc AB, Lang&comp

Senior Year: Latin, Studio art, Government&politics

Also taking 2 post-AP classes which are weighed like AP’s senior year: Multivariable calculus, cybersecurity

2

I would recommend looking at more safeties and match schools. CS is becoming a super competitive major to gain acceptance, even at schools that look like they should be matches. Also curious why you are applying to different majors at different schools. Big difference between CS, Art, and International Affairs. Consider how you will be able to bridge the gap between interests when you are completing the common app. If you aren’t sure about major, think about going undeclared and focusing in on schools where you are easily able to change majors. Do a lot of research because some schools have hard limits on some majors (like CS) where transferring in is very difficult, but other schools don’t have you declare majors until sophomore year. Good luck!

3

Excellent advice from " momofsenior."

When we look at test grades, test scores and courses we are really only seeing a small part of the admissions process which takes place in very selective programs. Students with background as strong as yours can do the work anywhere and students with your background are accepted everywhere. Remember, a large number of students with your profile are frequently accepted and a large number with the same profile are also rejected by the same university. This causes everyone to scratch their heads and ask… “why?”

Think about the math! It happens, almost by definition when the competition is very selective.

CS seems very popular now. Many schools that just a few years ago would have been a sure acceptance for your profile are now very competitive. This is the time of year that we see all the surprised applicants. Don’t make that mistake because your parents and I can’t take it any more (this is where you laugh).

Find a few schools that don’t just impress your friends, but which also have majors, minors, locations, activities and programs that really excite you. They are out there. Pick a few out of the very competitive group that fit that description and don’t worry what the name or the numbers say. YOU CAN DO IT if you really want it because you are that good. You might get in. Don’t apply to ten of them deciding that UMASS at Amherst is your backup because things have changed in CS. Your backup might be U of Mass at Lowell, Clarkson University or U of ME at Orono, but don’t apply to them either unless you would feel comfortable as a student there. Their programs are very respectable and your profile is above their average. That means, with some personality, you can be class president!

After researching and visiting a few favorites from above, find a few quality candidates that are less competitive. The USNEWS “selectivity” index is not much help for majors like CS. Work at it as though it were a WPI research project!

4

Thank you all for the advice!

5

You are a competitive applicant. Your stats and ECs are great. Write solid essays and get good letters of recommendations and you could get accepted to any of these schools