I know this may seem like a joke but I just gotta ask if I should even apply to Harvey Mudd or if it will just be embaressing and a waste of money lol.
-3.4 however I got a 4.0 my junior year with VERY rigorous classes, and I got a 3.0 sophomore due to family issues.
-1350 SAT
-service award at school
-science award at School
-mensa high IQ SOCIETY
-742 hours at emergency vet clinic
-junior zoo keeper at la zoo
-science writer for school newspaper
-founder of animal related non profit
-founder and president of pre med club
-have attended children’s hospital symposium for 5 years running
Harvey Mudd is an engineering, physics, math, and CS school, that happens to part of the 5C consortium. Why do you think HMC is a fit for your interests? Your SAT and GPA are very weak in comparison to admitted/enrolled students. Have you taken calculus and physics? For admission, both are required to be taken during high school. Most HMC students score 770 or above on Math SAT II–which is another admission requirement. Have you taken the MATH SAT II?
You should Google the Common Data Set for Mudd and check out the stats for admitted students. I think it does sound like a reach given your stats, though. If you decide to apply, ask your GC to talk about your family issues in 10th grade. And you probably would need to work on your SAT score if possible, plus completing the needed SAT II tests.
That said, I don’t think anyone should be embarrassed to apply to a couple of reach schools, even if you don’t end up getting in. Stay realistic and have a solid list of matches & safeties you’d be happy to attend. Then if lightening strikes, great. If not, you can still have good choices.
I wouldn’t put your Mensa membership on any of your applications.
Some other schools you might look at are RPI, WPI, Michigan Tech, Rose-Hulman, or Colorado School of Mines (maybe also a bit of a reach, but not as much as Mudd). Be sure to run the net price calculators on the website of each school early in your search, too.
Also, what are your major and career goals? Mudd might not even be a great fit for you — I’m reading your ECs as bio focused. It is a small major at Mudd, and Mudd’s grade deflation make it less than ideal for med or vet school applicants. But maybe that isn’t your plan anyway.
Here is the Harvey Mudd CDS: https://www.hmc.edu/search/?cx=011700456152137806282%3Amrgonkg-qbi&ie=UTF-8&q=CDS&sa= Go to page seven and note the RIC of admitted students. Do not be discourage, but plan accordingly. It is rough!
Ask yourself what you like about HM that makes it special to you and find more schools which have those attributes. Define what those features are and put the CC team on your case. We need a better idea of what your goals are. Do you want to be an MD? Do you want to be a medical researcher? Do you want to teach? What parts of the academic world really catch your interests? What do you like to do for fun? Do you want to be a veterinarian? Do you like to work in groups or would you rather work alone?
Your answers are not as important as your questions.
We don’t know what you want, but it all starts with your questions.