Chances for Carnegie Mellon IS (kinda low stats)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello everyone, I was wondering if I could get your thoughts on my chances to Carnegie Mellon University. Helpful advice appreciated.</p>

<p>I'm thinking about applying early decision 1 to Carnegie Mellon's Information Systems Program. My GPA is quite low and my SAT as well. However I hear that IS is slightly easier to get into than Engineering and CS. Is this true?
Also I have an upward trend. Does that at least somewhat make up for my low gpa?
Lastly, I'm an Asian male. Asians normally have it tough with college admissions but I noticed on the Common App they distinguish what kind you are. Does being Vietnamese give me an easier time than other Asians? eg. Indian, Chinese, Korean etc.</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>Competitive Public high school in Northern Virginia (app. 500 kids)</p>

<p>GPA Weighted (county does not do unweighted)</p>

<p>Freshman Year: 3.5 (3 Honors)
Sophmore Year: 3.571 (AP World (B))
Junior Year: 4.17(1 Honor, 3 APs (US History(B+),Computer Science A (A-),Psychology(A))
Senior Year Courses : 1 Honor, 4 APs (Statistics, Calculus AB, Government, Physics C)</p>

<p>Cumulative WGPA : 3.736</p>

<p>SAT superscore : 2110 (620 CR, 770M, 720W)
SAT subject Tests: Math 1: 720, US history: 710, Math 2 and Physics pending</p>

<p>Honors/awards: Omega Phi Epsilon (school), NHS, History Honor Society, AP Scholar with Honor.</p>

<p>Extra curricular activities:</p>

<p>JV/Varsity Tennis 9-12 (JV Team captain)
300+ hours volunteering at Senior assisted living center (10-12)
Manager's assistant at iPhone repair shop (11)
Varsity Math League (9-12)
Interact Club (10-12)
School tutor for Math, Comp sci, History (11-12)</p>

<p>Additional info:
2 recommendations (English and Pre-calc teachers)
Early Decision 1
Demonstrated interest: campus tour and info session (I heard CMU considers this)
Essay quality: if I rated my essay quality from 1(scribbles and nonsense) - 10 (Ivy League quality) I'd probably give it a 7 or 8.</p>

<p>I'm quite aware that CMU is a reach for me. But what do you guys think? Is it possible? If you had to give me a percentage chance what would you give me? Any other advice?</p>

<p>Thanks everybody</p>

2

<p>bump???</p>

3

<p>bumpppppppppppppppp</p>

4

<p>You have on par SATs. Your GPA, though lower, has an increase which is good.<br>
Your SAT 2s will definitely help you I think. </p>

<p>Being Asian will not help you, I’m not so sure about Vietnamese. </p>

<p>Your essays sound strong.</p>

<p>I can’t give a number but from what I hear about CMU, honestly speaking, I’m sure they’ve denied several applicants with similar application as yours (it’s still a strong one in my opinion). That’s just because Carnegie is an extremely tough school to get into. </p>

<p>Focus on how you’re more than numbers. If you can convey a strong love for learning, I think that could help.</p>

<p>By now you’ve probably submitted your application if you were going ED. If so, best of luck!</p>

5

<p>ED2 isn’t due until December 1st. Would you say CMU IS is a high match for me? reach?</p>

6

<p>Also if anyone doesn’t know CMU doesn’t look at freshman year. Told me at their info session and in their information booklets.</p>