<p>I'm an in-state senior planning to apply for engineering (EE or Mechanical). I realize that my test scores aren't so hot, and I've just retaken the SAT and am going to take the ACT this Saturday. That said, how would I fare with my current stats?</p>
<p>GPA: 3.96W/5, somewhere near 3.57UW
Rank: 168/1329, 12.6%
SAT: 1260/1890 (680M, 580CR)
ECs: NHS (~15-20hrs/semester from 10th grade), FBLA (12th), Orchestra (9-12), piano if that counts (past 12 years), a few other scattered and fairly insignificant clubs</p>
<p>If I've forgotten anything, please let me know. Thanks.</p>
<p>If you bring up your CR score at least 20 points and your overall SAT score just 40 points, you would be an automatic academic admit (top 25%, 1300 or higher SAT with a minimum 600 on each section). Take one of those SAT prep classes and you could do that easily. You are obviously smart as your academic record is excellent, so with a little extra prep, you will have no problem. Even without that, I think you stand a very good chance of getting in as a review candidate. Submit some very thoughtful essays!</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply, I appreciate it. I honestly thought my record wasn’t too great, looking at a lot of my peers. Hopefully my SAT scores have improved enough to match the auto admit cutoff. </p>
<p>I have another question to ask. I have written the two required essays and plan to write the third optional one very soon. However, the fourth topic states that it is not mandatory unless you are pursuing a major related to the arts. Should I bother writing this one anyway? I have no intention of ever pursuing a degree in the listed categories. </p>