Chances at Carnegie Mellon/UC Berkeley for computer science

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys, thank you for taking the time the time to read my all my information below. I know both schools are extremely difficult to get into, and I'm applying to computer science where the applicant pool is really competitive but I'm giving it a shot.</p>

<p>Just some important background information:
1. I'm studying in the British Education System. So we don't have AP's, GPA or any of those options other than our A level and GCSE certifications.
2. Im currently at the beginning of the 11th grade(year 12 in British system) I finish school by July 2015
3. Im Indian and a Zoroastrian, one of the world's oldest and smallest communities in terms of members( I want to know if that will benefit me or make me stand out since universities like to have diversity .)
4. I live on a very small island country called Bahrain, in the Middle East.
5. My father's highest degree of education was a bachelors and my mother never completed college.</p>

<p>Academics
-I received 7a's and 4b's at GCSE level, with Maths being a grade A, ICT being an AA<em>A</em>
-I got 1410 on my first try at my practice SAT's without ever having done anything like them before and I'm still practicing and my score is now 1780
-I was placed in all the higher sets for my Math, Science and English classes
-I have been self teaching myself computer programming through code academy, learning programs like JavaScript.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
-I started my own graphics class at school, teaching younger students graphic design, web design and many other things that are needed for them to excel at their GCSE exam
-Im part of my school's marathon team, running 3km, 5km and 10km at national level
-I have taken part in MUN many times and built the website for my own school's MUN
-Im an accomplished martial artist with more than 6 years of training
-I achieved grade 4 in classical guitar, with constant distinction grade(highest attainable result)
- I have an interest in poetry and even have a blog where that poetry is posted.
- I am a talented artist both in painting and sketch( I took Art at GCSE level and received an A)
-I have a passion for graphic designing which i do as a hobby
-I worked at a graphics firm for 1 week for work experience and was then asked to continue working for another month so that i could finish off a concept and design for an advert(That was used)
-I have successfully completed my Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze and Silver level, and am currently working towards achieving Gold(To achieve the award a student must do a certain amount of community service, a sport and a skill, as well as an expedition. The higher the level the more time needed for completion. For my expedition I went with my school for a 3 day mountain trek in Oman.)
-I was part of my school choir and sing at both tenor and bass level
-For community service, i work at my school library, for the last 3 years.
-I am part of the Sports Leadership Program
-I was the Head member of my school Media Council, in charge of running my own club, finalizing designs for newsletters and yearbooks and so forth.
-I was a member of the Economics/Business Blog group, where we write articles about happening news, tragedy's and economic issues in the world.
-I am the only international member of an environment protection organisation, that was started up by a friend in India, and has expanded across many states there. I have helped expand the organisation internationally by bringing it to Bahrain, and i hope to have it expand across the Middle East.
-I have been nominated to run as Headboy for my school (the American equivalent would be valedictorian I suppose)</p>

<p>I don't have any recommendations written as this is something that teachers and counselors only start writing in our last year.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading all that. Please let me know what you think my chances are when i apply in a years time to these universities. Are my chances realistic? If not, please specify what universities i should think about applying to instead.</p>

<p>I will be the first in my family to ever apply to the States, so my family are all counting on me to be successful. </p>

2

<ol>
<li>fine, usual</li>
<li>fine, usual</li>
<li>I don’t think so, Indians are in general well represented; religion shouldn’t be issue. But I could be misunderstanding significance. If it is something of influence and significance in your life then I suppose there will be something in your essays.</li>
<li>neutral, will be treated as ‘middle eastern region’</li>
<li>neutral, not unusual - only first generation college students get any consideration</li>
</ol>

<p>I take it you are full pay?</p>

<p>1780/2400 is far too low. You will get the most mileage working on this. Visit the SAT preparation forum and read the tips/study guides pinned to the top.</p>

<p>These colleges are really different from each other. As you make your list, try to think of the kind of environment that would best suit you. </p>

3

<p>@BrownParent I know they’re different but i like them each in their own ways. And yes i know my practice score is low but im trying to push it up as much as i can.</p>

4

<p>Any other advice guys?</p>

5

<p>Your extracurriculars are good and focused, so you should be fine on that account. If you make your essays compelling you should a have good shot at both schools.
Your SAT definitely needs work. For an international applicant you should have 2000+ (preferably 2100+). If you’re having trouble with the SAT you may also want to consider taking the ACT (though I’m not sure how many test centers there are in Bahrain). </p>

6

<p>@saif235 thank you, but can i ask if my grades are good enough?</p>

7

<p>are there any carnegie mellon/ uc berkeley students out there that can give me some help please?</p>

8

<p>Your SAT score is not close to near acceptable at CMU and Berkeley. It seems you have ECs down so I recommend you really spend more time on the SAT. The best advice anyone can give you right now is sit your butt down and get that SAT score up to 2100+, because that will dramatically and I mean dramatically increase your chances at either schools. Also try to get straight As for the rest of your years because 4 B’s is ok but more could hurt you</p>

9

<p>@kei04086 will that still give me a chance of getting into any of those schools?</p>

10

<p>bump.</p>

11

<p>Retake SATs and try to score above 2100.</p>

12

<p>bump.</p>

13

<p>guys please give your input, i really want to know my chances. please help.</p>

14

<p>1) If your grades are As going forward, you should be fine. Colleges like to see an upward trend. These Bs won’t kill you, but they aren’t great either. Just move on, forget what you can’t change and work hard.
2) I disagree about the SAT - I think as an international student especially, you should be trying for a 2200+. The ACT is easier for a lot of people; I’d look into reviewing/testing for that if possible.
3) Your ECs need work. The involvement you have is interesting, but you have no significant awards or too many leadership roles. Colleges are looking people who are self motivated to become leaders in what they love to do. Find a way to expand your clubs or get appointed to a leadership role. Perhaps turn a unique experience into an interesting essay. You need 5 very good ECs for Berkeley. Pick your 5 most impressive ones and add leadership positions or win awards for these areas.
4) Start figuring out which teacher you want to write your letter of rec. Build a relationship with that teacher. DON’T SUCK UP, but be their best student. Work extra hard in 3 classes or so, so your letters will be glowing. “Good” and “average” letters don’t set you apart.
5) Start working on your application essays in the summer. Really make them great.
6) Pick more schools for your list - some less ambitious than these. And really research the environment of each school. Trust me, you’ll be miserable at a school that doesn’t feel right, even if it is a good school.
7) If you can pay full tuition, do it. Especially for Berkeley.
8) Relax. You have your whole life ahead of you. I promise this isn’t as scary as you think.</p>

15

<p>I had a friend who scored 2340 on the SAT and had a perfect 4.0 gpa from a very good selective enrollment math and sciences high school. Extracurriculars were good but not outstanding in sports, leadership and summer internship. He did not get accepted to CMU Computer Science. He was admitted to CMU in general but his acceptance letter specifically excluded him from the CS major. It is almost impossible to transfer into CS from a different major at CMU.</p>

16

<p>Thank you very much @MChorsegirl14. This was really helpful information for me. @keesh17</p>