Chances at ECE

<p>Yea I was wondering if I have good chance at making ECE at CMU, this is probably the school I want to go to if I don't get into any of my reaches. </p>

<p>ACT: 35
SAT II Physics: 800
SAT II Math Level 2: 800
GPA: ~94 UW on 100 point scale
Advance Placements (score if taken)
Human Geography (4)
AP Physics C (5 on both)
AP US History (5)
AP Calculus BC (5)
AP Spanish Language
AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP Macroeconomics</p>

<p>Senior Coursework
Honors Creative Writing
AP Spanish language
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
AP Biology
AP Macroeconomics
Senior Math Research
AP Statistics</p>

<p>Past coursework is pretty rigorous (especially in Math completed BC + Multivariable) Extremely good grades at Math + Sci</p>

<p>Extracurriculars + Awards
Math Team 4 years (made city math team, 2x AIME Qualifier, AMC 10 + 12 Distinguishable Honor Roll + some other stuff)
AP Scholar with Distinction
Research at NYU
Math Circles
Science Olympiad
couple more variety of other things</p>

<p>Worked as a restaurant runner for about 5 months</p>

<p>Let's assume I have satisfactory essays (commonapp + supp), in the middle between mediocre and decent (hopefully a bit more toward decent). Both essays pretty much focused on my intent towards problem solving and supp focused on how much technology is useful in a variety of ways and how there is still room to improve - ECE's flexible coursework will help me take advantage of the opportunity to practice problem solving in a variety of technological areas </p>

<p>So how do I fare? FYI: Asian and reaches are MIT, Columbia SEAS, Princeton, and Cornell if anyone was interested</p>

<p>Your grades, EC’s, and test scores are excellent, so you’re definitely qualified (or even over-qualified) for ECE at CMU. Unfortunately, ECE is the 2nd most competitive major so you really need to have strong essays. As an Asian male, you’ll be treated as a stereotype by the admissions committee unless you differentiate yourself through your essays. </p>

<p>No offense, but “mediocre to decent” isn’t gonna cut it. I know you think you can make it just based on your stats, but CMU really cares about the essays. In your case, its even more imperative that you have a strong supplement essay. </p>

<p>Also, you didn’t mention what you’ve done to show interest in CMU. Did you visit campus, do an interview, or attend SBW? CMU really cares about demonstrated interest so you should do everything you can to show that interest.</p>

<p>I haven’t visited due to time and money constraints but I did do some research. I didn’t realize there was an opportunity for an interview til it was too late. My essays focus mainly on my ability at problem solving and interest in technology. I’ve improved my Common App essay a lot and I did splash some qualities of Carnegie that would help me pursuit my interest in engineering in my supp essay. Hopefully my passion will get through to them. Thank you for the response!</p>

<p>No problem. Best of luck in the admissions process. Also, you might be able to do a local alumni interview. The admissions office could help you get one if you talk to them and explain your situation.</p>

<p>You have an excellent chance and excellent stats. I’m sure your essay was fine. I’m always amazed by how many people have all these 5s on all these APs given that the actual number of 5s given out is not that high.</p>

<p>I think you have a really good shot. I also think Cornell is more of a target for you than a reach. I know a lot of people from my school who got into Cornell with less impressive stats than you.</p>