Chances of getting into CAS Biology?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
1

<p>Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male
Location: Michigan
School Type: Public
Not applying for Financial AID</p>

<p>GPA: 86/100
Class Rank: Top 32%
SAT: 1140/1600 (510 Reading, 630 Math)</p>

<p>Freshman GPA: 2.4, 2.6
Sophomore GPA: 3.0, 3.6
Junior GPA: 3.2, 3.7</p>

<p>Class Rigor:
Honors English 9
Honors English 10
Honors Algebra II
Honors Pre Calculus
Honors World Studies
Honors Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP English Language and Composition
IB Biology Year One
IB Biology Year Two
IB Literature Year One
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish III</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Activities</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Played High School Tennis for Four Years
Junior Varsity Captain Junior Year
Varsity Player Senior Year</p></li>
<li><p>Part of High School Quizbowl Team for Four Years
Regional Champions
Participated in States</p></li>
<li><p>Debate Team for Three Years
First year was Novice Debate
Second and Third Year Varsity Debate
Third Year Quizbowl Captain</p></li>
<li><p>Charity Program at School Two Years
Helped with fundraiser for St.Judes
Collected Money for Unicef
Participated in other activities</p></li>
<li><p>Multicultural Club at School Two years
Participated</p></li>
<li><p>Hospital Volunteering for Three Years
Worked in Staff Management office
Helped with sending Medical Financial AID letters out</p></li>
<li><p>Did Research at Field Neurosciences Institute
Worked with converting bone marrow stem cells into brain cells
Involved myself in lab work and other types of research</p></li>
<li><p>Worked for Democratic Headquarters
Canvassed and Campainged for someone running for State Senate
Helped in some tasks in the Democratic Headquarters</p></li>
<li><p>Worked under Andy Dillon (ran for governor/speaker of the house)
Helped campaign by going door to door for him
Worked polls during election primaries</p></li>
<li><p>Worked in my family's restaurant
Helped in Restaurant management and finance.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Letter of Recommendations:
One from my Honors/IB Biology Teacher
One from my AP English and Language Comp teacher
One from my Counselor</p>

<p>I'm expecting a good letter from each.</p>

<p>Extra:
Two letters from BU Professors when I participated in a summer challenge program at the school, both say very good things.</p>

<p>Essays: Should be decent but nothing superb or below average.</p>

<p>Please let me know my chances! I have bad test scores/gpa but I have great EC's and Class Rigor.</p>

2

<p>You’ll get into pitt no problem. I don’t think you’d qualify for honors (SAT threshold) or get any merit money but you said you don’t need finaid so no problem there. The thing to keep in mind for Pitt is that you only apply to CAS (or engineering, nursing, etc.) and not a specific major.
Quick note: I usually don’t do chances but this is a pretty cut and dry case, predicting merit aid or top LACS/HYPMS is a crapshoot whereas regular admit at a school like pitt is more a function of numbers.</p>

3

<p>I don’t think it is safe to say “no problem” on admissions to Pitt main. Those SAT scores fall below the middle 50% of those offered admission in for fall 2010. Middle 50 was 1190-1420 for CR+M and 56% were in the top 10% of their h.s. class. You’re in the bottom quarter of both SAT and by last year’s numbers, the bottom 14% of class rank. The average GPA was 3.87 last year, so I’m not sure how that compares to your overall GPA. </p>

<p>Now, that said, what you have going for you is that you are out of state, have a rigorous h.s. curriculum (which factors prominently for Pitt), have a GPA that has trended upwards, and have good ECs. To be safe though, I would try to take the SATs (or ACTs) again and try to get your scores up (esp CR) so they fall in the middle 50%. Pitt superscores so that helps you. </p>

<p>I’m not saying you wouldn’t get in as is, but it is not a slam dunk that you wouldn’t get placed at one of the three regional campuses, somewhere like Greensburg or Johnstown. Also, keep in mind that Pitt practices rolling admissions so the later you apply, the more spots have filled up, and the more difficult it is to get in.</p>

4

<p>I also disagree with lordacton. Those stats are probably going to have some trouble getting into pitt main. The ECs are pretty good but Pitt admissions is primarily numbers driven. Also, there may be an upward trend but even the OP’s highest grades aren’t very impressive.</p>

5

<p>Pitt is very numbers-driven. If you have not already applied, do it asap. Application order makes a difference and I think they put out their first round of acceptances in early October.</p>

6

<p>^^
I recently had to fax my daughter’s Pitt acceptance letter from last year. It was dated September 25, 2009. I second lkf725’s recommendation…apply early.</p>