chances for progeny

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Been lurking for awhile, now I jump in... Sorry so long…</p>

<p>He's finishing jr. year. Probably will pursue comp. sci. as a major but also interested in history, econ, etc. (see ECs). Don't want to limit him. We've visited schools, gone to info sessions (colleges sending reps locally); he's receptive, open-minded, even enthusiastic about what he’s seen, but not able to narrow it down, hasn’t been “smitten” yet. Both research universities & LACs hold appeal for him. I kinda wish he’d be able to have more focus starting now because it’s getting close. Lately I’ve been doing much more of the research than him. Also wish he’d work on a “hook”, essays, something to move himself forward in the process, but he’s been busy... besides schoolwork & regular stuff, studying for SAT I (took in May), then a few AP’s, then SAT II’s last week; now studying for finals. He’s a damn fine student but does need to work hard to get there…</p>

<p>Before I give stats, a few issues/concerns/gen’l questions:</p>

<p>(1) He’s known to many as a math/computer whiz, and but his scores are higher toward verbal… Sat I’s reflect same on PSAT’s & practice tests. Should he think of re-taking SAT I to up the math? (collegeboard gives stats… more people who re-take w/ his math score go down rather than up 2nd time… I think 56% vs. 32% or something like that). Is it safe to assume that colleges will take the highest of each of the 3 sections if one multi-takes? Because very likely he can go down in CR & Wr.</p>

<p>(2) Will applying EA to say, MIT, really increase his chances? Does EA/ED really screw w/ fin. aid for families of modest means?</p>

<p>(3) Should we not consider a tech/sci. school if he moves away from comp. sci?</p>

<p>(4) Which Ivies are good at comp. sci?</p>

<p>(5) Anyone know the diff. at Cornell b/t being a comp. sci. major in College of Arts & Sci. vs. College on Engineering? As far as ease of getting in, ease of work there, other reqs?</p>

<p>(6) Someone pls. explain Nat’l Merit commended/semi-fin/finalist. Very confused.</p>

<p>(7) What’s “worse” for admission… white male, Asian male, white female, Asian female… w/ similar stats?</p>

<p>OK, stats:</p>

<p>White male, competitive public suburban HS, taking toughest course load (honors/AP)… mostly A’s, few B’s, maybe 1 C. Do not know rank (school doesn’t do that) or GPA (school never offered that… I guess have to ask GC). Took AP Econ (both micro & macro I think), IB Econ SL & AP Comp. Sci this yr. Will take AP BC Calc, AP Eng, AP Govt, AP Bio, AP Span next yr, if sched. allows. </p>

<p>SAT I: CR800, Math740, Wr780 (10 essay).
SAT II: Chem800, waiting on Math2c & Spanish… he said they were easy.
He’ll be Nat’l Merit something… he rec’d the first letter.
Took the AMC a couple years; I think he did pretty good – gotta check about that too I guess.</p>

<p>EC’s … to preface… he’s interested in lots of things, has pursued things he has a true interest in, never to make his college aps look good; he’s got a lot of integrity that way…</p>

<p>Debate team all years (has only done LD), was LD chair this year, will be co-capt of team next yr. Qualified for states this year (as alternate).
Mock Trial, atty, 10th & 11th, will continue in 12th. Hasn’t qualified to advance.
Stock club all years, will be treasurer next yr.
Academic Decathlon A team… did real well, won Econ (& I think Math) gold medals at states… will do again sr. yr.
Peripheral involvement in Sci. Olympiad (time just doesn’t allow for it all).
Boy Scout – Life rank, will be lucky to get Eagle in time. SPL. Did Philmont summer ’04.
Participates in weekly computer volunteer group, working on software/hardware probs/upgrades to benefit non-profits, community service groups, after-school pgms in underserved area… for 2+ years now.
A little campaign work ’04.
Prestigious Gov. Schl. (info tech.) this summer.
No sports, no music.</p>

<p>Legacy at lower Ivy.</p>

<p>What am I leaving out?</p>

<p>Chances? Suggestions about schools to apply?</p>

<p>Considering... MIT, Caltech, Ivies, Williams, Amherst, CMU; no clue about safeties… advice?</p>

2

<p>I wouldn't recommend retaking the SAT I; his scores are excellent.</p>

3

<p>lol you must mean "prodigy" in the title if youre refering to the genius with those ecs/test scores. hes not your average 'offspring', so you have to give him much more credit in the title ;).</p>

4

<ol>
<li><p>If he is really really confident that he will get a better Math score than he should. But i SAY NO because a 740 is like 2 or 3 or 4 wrong. On any given SAT there is always some question that throws people off. ALL the ivys know that the difference between an 800 and a 740 is LUCK, LUCK, LUCK. If you get lucky and dont get tricked by 3 or 4 questions than you got an 800. Just sit tight, cuz your scores are excellent.</p></li>
<li><p>EA for IVYs is kinda differnet. For MIT and stuff people only apply EA if they are confident about their stats and are hoping to get a better financial package and some other perks. These students are excellent with mabye one weakness and hope that by applying EA they can have that overlooked by nicer adcoms. I'd say in your situation APPLY ED/EA, then if you get deffered, do more volunteer hours, improve your test scores, and send in some extra recs and stuff. </p></li>
<li><p>For Undergraduate, you should consider a school that is at least slightly focused on technology. But that really doesnt matter. If your kid goes to Yale he will still get a good education in tech ed. IT IS FOR GRADUATE THAT YOU SHOULD REALLY BE NITTY PICKY ON WHAT TYPES OF TECH PROGRAMS.</p></li>
<li><p>Ivys, well they are not as good as Caltech and MIT at ANYTHING SCIENCE AND TECH related. Look at Caltech it is a little less competive than say MIT (but only slightly, i mean very slightly).</p></li>
<li><p>For cornell, i doubt any easier chance of getting in for diff majors. Just getting in is kinda hard. But with your stats id suggest you apply since you have a great shot.</p></li>
<li><p>IF your son is a Nat'l Semifinalist, then he will probably become a finalist later. If he is a commended scholar, its just a pat on the back but no finalist status later.</p></li>
<li><p>For MIt and stuff, there is no real whats worse amongst that group. Id say that black women, then black man and spanish women, then spanish man. But that is really not so important, as these people make up a small percentage. It wont really make a diff here because MIT doesnt really get many URM recruited candidates. I mean for Harvard and Yale and stuff being an URM might really really bost your chance, but a technical school like MIT already requires pretty high stats and if your an URM and get those kind of stats your in, if your Asian than yay its a lil bit more competive but you shouldnt feel like you lost a space. White males are not really affected. Asian peoples are known for math and sci and so MIT is more harsh on them, but for a white guy it really doesnt matter because you arent a URM nor a ORM. But white women get some boost becuase they are women in science which is much rarer than guy in science.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>I always thought CalTech was more competitive than MIT...look at how few they accept.</p>

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<p>Not so much. MIT has a lot of candidates, and really really good ones. I think that the people who apply on average to Caltech are not as strong as those applying to MIT, especially since MIT commands the name prestige of the best ivys (hyp). Caltech is ranked a lil lower than MIT on most rankings. But they are equally good, one provides a sunny laid back atmosphere while the other a busy noreaster atmosphere.</p>

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<p>Based on SAT scores (I know, not necessarily reliable), Caltech has the highest in the nation. Its known to be more "hardcore science" than MIT. Both schools are extremely tough, but Caltech is the one that actually has the tougher curriculum. MIT is known to be more well-rounded and have less of a pure science focus. I'd be overjoyed to go to either of the two.</p>