Chances please :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>Thanks to anyone who takes the time to look over this.</p>

<p>I'm only a junior, so I have quite a bit of time to improve any stats that need improving. I will be applying for CS. I'll just cut to the chase and post the most important stuff only:</p>

<p>White male</p>

<p>ACT: 32 (34,34,30,30) -- I've only taken this once, so I'm sure it'll improve by 1 or 2 points or more hopefully before I actually apply
SATIIs: 800 Math 2, 800 Physics</p>

<p>GPA: 3.85 uw, 4.3 w
Rank: Top 10%</p>

<p>I'm doing the most rigorous course schedule my school offers</p>

<p>Recommendations: Outstanding</p>

<p>Essays: not written yet, but I'm a good writer so they should be great</p>

<p>ECs: (I'm a little lacking in this department)</p>

<p>1st place two years in a row in a computer programming competition at Missouri State University. My freshman year I did this contest and got 1st despite the other participants all being seniors. I'll probably get 1st again this year and next.</p>

<p>I occasionally write articles for the local newspaper</p>

<p>Science Olympiad -- this takes a surprisingly large amount of time</p>

<p>Chess Club</p>

<p>I do some computer work at my church, maintaining them, etc</p>

<p>Clothing Drive at Church: we packed clothing and sent it to kids in the Ukraine. About five hours a week</p>

<p>National Honors Society</p>

<p>I do a lot of programming in my spare time. A while back a wrote up a quick webpage using Google Pages to show a few of the most recent things I've made: <a href="http://zpconn.googlepages.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://zpconn.googlepages.com/&lt;/a> I have about five years of experience doing programming on my own, with no instructor of coach. I taught myself, beginning at age 12. I am proficient with a multitude of programming languages, including C#, C++, Java, Python, Lisp, Visual Basic, and more. I've put countless hours into my programming projects in my spare time.</p>

<p>And a few other minor things here and there</p>

<p>Work: I work at a convenience store about 10 hours a week</p>

2

<p>CS is a reach for everybody</p>

3

<p>Is that just a nice way of saying that I don't have a chance? ;)</p>

<p>Basically I'm asking: do I have a chance at getting in or should I not even mess with it? I realize that nobody can give me any precise estimates or anything like that.</p>

4

<p>I think you have a good chance. Definitely give it a shot.</p>

5

<p>Ok. I would say that you have a very good chance at CS. Your stats are good, and you have a lot of interest in programming - apparently you're good at it too.</p>

<p>I would say that if you can get like a 35 ACT you're in for sure. It's really not that hard to do. Based on your 34-34-30-30 breakdown, I would recommend sneaking some candy into the test. A roll of sweetarts would keep you energized for that boring science section. I'm totally serious, sugar is the panacea of standardized testing.</p>

<p>If you like the SATs, I think if you can put up a M:800 CR:700 W:700 you should be set.</p>

<p>I'm confident that you can get the necessary scores on the ACT/SAT, and I think you would be in good shape even without stellar test scores.</p>

6

<p>I think your stats are OK for CS. Have you taken any AP exams ? I believe you should also work on improving your class rank (from top 10 % to, let's say, top 5 %). That would make your application stronger.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the suggestions. They have all been duly noted.</p>

<p>As for AP tests, I haven't taken any yet. My school unfortunately doesn't administer very many of them--only the AP Calculus exam if I remember correctly. I plan on taking at least the Calculus and Computer Science tests later this year or next.</p>

<p>My rank should also improve somewhat, but I don't know by how much. My grades recently have been better than they've ever been before, so hopefully it will rise.</p>

8

<p>I have another question. The school I come from is not exactly prestigious. It's the public school for the small, relatively unknown town of Lebanon in southern Missouri about two hours from St. Louis. Will coming from a fairly crappy public school have any negative affects on my admissions chances? I'm afraid they will ask the question "Why is he performing so well on exams yet isn't in the top 5% of his class at this crappy high school?" The answer to that question, by the way, is that my graduating class happens to be significantly above average compared to others here, but I doubt the admissions people will know this.</p>

9

<p>While the question you mentioned might come up, it's better to be in your situation in Lebanon, Missouri than in Boston. Simply, coming from the middle of nowhere helps. Your counselor might be able to explain the situation in their rec if you ask nicely, or you could explain it in a non-whiny manner in the extra info section. You definitely have a shot, good luck!</p>