Chances at CMU next year.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone could give me some insight on my chances at CMU next year(I’m a Junior). I know that there are a lot of subjective parts of the college admission process, but I just want to have an idea if I would be competitive at Carnegie Mellon based solely on stats.

SAT I: 2230/2400 and 1540/1600 (800 math, 740 reading, and 690 writing 10 essay). I also got a 221 on my PSAT so I’ll probably be at least a semifinalist (Pennsylvania)

Unweighted GPA: Based on my school its a 3.96 but I got 3 B+'s so I think that’s wrong. I tried to convert it to a normal scale and I got something like 3.833

Weighted GPA: My school has a weird system so its like 4.97. On a system based out of 5( add .5 for honors and 1 for AP), I think I have a 4.35.

Class Rank: I wasn’t looking into competitive colleges as a freshman and sophomore so my class rank was 39/558 at the beginning of the this school year. It is now 19/558 after one semester and it will likely go up.

AP Classes: Due to scheduling errors, I was not able to take AP Chemistry this year but I was able to take AP Statistics. Next year I hope to take AP Chem AB, AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC, AP Micro, AP physics AB, and AP physics BC. My school has 4 classes one semester and 4 new ones the next semester.

EC’s: I know these are subjective so I will just list them.
-Robotics Club (FTC) since 10th grade. Co-Captain this year and most likely Captain next year
-Anchor Club (Community Service) no position

  • Peer Tutoring in Math since 10th grade
  • Rec soccer for 11 years
  • Habitat for Humanity (started this year)
  • Summer Job at local children’s amusement park (around 35 hrs/ week)

I’m definitely more math, science, and engineering oriented as compared to English and the humanities, but I still want to take English classes. I think I would want to major in physics or mechanical engineering. What do you think my chances would be for early decision and regular decision? I don’t have any programming experience yet. Would this be a problem for admission?

2

I think your stats look really good. I’d probably only focus on the class rank but you had a big improvement and I doubt they’ll look at your rank too harshly in light of your other stats. Senior year I’d also try to fit as many EC’s in as possible; you have some but there’s pretty much always room for more, especially leadership positions. For non-CS majors I dont think they really care if you have programming experience. I could be wrong though.

Also, I’m from PA too and my PSAT was 220 and I am a finalist. I also know people with lower scores than that who became PA finalists. You shouldn’t have a problem unless you don’t complete the application correctly.

I think you will definitely be a competitive applicant. If you want better chances for financial aid and are positive you want go to CMU, apply ED. If not RD is always a good bet and doesn’t really disadvantage you in terms of an admissions standpoint.