<p>Hey CMU forum family! Yes, this is just a plain old chances thread. Dx
I'm applying to H&SS and Tepper. :)
GPA:
Unweighted: 3.52
Weighted: 4.18
Trend: Sharp upward trend
Rank:
top 10% - possibly higher, but our school only tells us what tenth we're in, and i'm in the top tenth.
Course Rigor:
I took the hardest classes my school has to offer - all honors and AP classes. The AP classes are:
AP Government
AP Microeconomics
AP Language and Composition
AP United States History
AP Environmental Science
AP Microeconomics
AP Psychology
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
AP Literature
Standardized testing:
Haven't taken anything yet. I was supposed to take an SAT in March, but there was a debate tourney on the same date, so I decided not to take it. I recently took a practice ACT test during spring break, and got a 31 (34 R 29 M 31 E 29 S). I'm planning on taking it four times, and I'm also taking ACT prep classes at the moment. I'm hoping for a 32-34 on my last try. My most recent SAT practice score was 2040, but I like the ACT more as of right now.
ECs:
Debate Team - Captain Jr & Sr year (I'm not a senior yet, but the coach already let me know in advance that I'd be the captain for the 2011-2012 year as well)
National Forensics League (Speech and Debate Honor society) - Excellence/Sapphire (Well, the last time I checked I was excellence. Possibly distinction now?)
Newspaper Club - Associate Sports Editor Jr year, coming back Sr year
Tennis - Sophomore year
Volleyball - Freshman year
Football + Wrestling - Freshman and Sophomore year
Roughly 100 volunteer hours at a PADS homeless shelter
Planning on attending a National Youth Leadership Forum for Law over the summer
Awards:
3rd place at Conference for Lincoln-Douglas Debate
3rd place at ISTA State Tournament for Lincoln-Douglas Debate
All-State Lincoln Douglas Debater @ N</p>
<p>I want to eventually go to law school, and I'm hoping that my ECs demonstrate a specified interest (Debate, the NYLF Law, Newspaper club, Business Law Class). </p>
<p>If there's anything else you need, let me know! (:</p>
<p>Even negative feedback would be appreciated, I just want some opinions. D:</p>
<p>Also, got something in the mail today about a National Society for High School Scholars? Considering my less than stellar GPA, I’m not sure how selective this program really is, and it costs sixty dollars. It claimed that it’s invitation only, and that there is a selection process. It seems credible; Claes Nobel, part of the family that facilitates the distribution of the Nobel Prizes, manages the society with a board. I’ve decided to pay the $60 and enroll, but does anyone know how selective the program is, and subsequently, how much impact it will have, if any, on my transcript?</p>
<p>^ Don’t pay the 60 bucks. It’s not worth it. A LOT of kids get that invite. It’s just a group that barely holds any merit obtaining ridiculous fees from kids who think they will benefit in some way by buying membership.</p>
<p>My guidance counselor told us it’s basically a legal scam. Lol.</p>
<p>I would say you have a chance, but honestly it is really hard to chance someone for schools like CMU. I got into CMU H&SS, MCS & waitlisted at CIT with a 27 ACT and a 3.93 GPA. So, anything can happen. If I had to decide on why I got accepted I would say that my status of URM, my displayed interest in the Chemistry field (for MCS), my essays (they were AMAZING!! I had 3 Harvard alumni/student review them) and maybe my genuine displayed interest in the school.</p>
<p>@BlizzBlazer: What a bummer! I guess I won’t waste my sixty dollars then. Thanks for the heads up!
@harvard521: Congratulations on getting in! That’s awesome! Thanks for chipping in, and was your 3.93 weighted or unweighted? Sometimes, I wish I was a URM. Sadly, I’m an ORM (Overrepresented Minority - aka Asian male). What other schools did you get into?</p>
<p>I have similar GPA/ courseload as you with a 35 ACT. I’ll let you know if I get in after 12:01 tonight</p>
<p>@1finite: Thanks so much! Congratulations on the amazing ACT score, and I hope you get in! (:</p>
<p>Thanks! I’m going to be happy regardless of the decision. The only way I would not go to Vanderbilt would be if I got into Cornell with a full ride, so I don’t mind what CMU says</p>
<p>Wait - you got into Vandy?!</p>
<p>Awesome! I’m curious now though, what was your GPA w/uw?</p>
<p>3.5 UW, school doesnt weight. Theres a sharp upward trend. I go to a NE Prep school though</p>
<p>NIIICCEEE. That made me feel so much better. After browsing through CC, I came to the conclusion that 3.52 = fail at life, time for community college. <---- Obviously I’m exaggerating, but it’s nice to know that I still have options with a 3.5. Thanks so much for your input, and good luck with Cornell!</p>
<p>Yup I thought that too. It really depends on your school. Obviously it’d be nice to have a 4.0, but 3.5 doesn’t automatically disqualify you from anywhere other than maybe hypsm</p>
<p>I got waitlisted for CIT and SCS along with a couple other kids in my class. Quite a few got into H&SS though</p>
<p>what was the decision!?</p>
<p>Oh…whoops, I didn’t see that post! Sorry, but congrats on the Vandy acceptance! What do you think got you in?</p>
<p>if u don’t get tepper, u can always study economics in h&ss, which gives u indirect transfer to tepper :)</p>
<p>I think I got in because of my ACT and I kept in touch with the admissions guy in my area. I also go to prep school in NE and have a leadership position in my dorm</p>