<p>Im a white male from new jersey. No class rank because it js very competitive.
Gpa 3.5 uw
4.0 w
sat 1410/1600
2030/2400-retaking
Sat 2
Math 2 and chem both 750
Rigorous course load with several APs and almost all honors
ECs
Marching band 4 years - 2 years leadership
Crew-2 years
Band council-leader 3 years
Occasional volunteer at my church when im not lifeguarding over the summer
With some good reccomendations and a killer essay where do I stand?
Not sure which school but most likely MCS
Thanks</p>
<p>Anyone? Please.</p>
<p>How was your junior year performance and rigor? Can you list junior year courses and grades as well as AP scores? Thanks.</p>
<p>Ap chem B 4 on AP test
Ap Us History B not well enough to getbmy anywhere but i dont plan on majoring in history
Spanish 5 hns ( last class before AP which im taking next year) A
Precalculus Hns B
English semester courses HNS A
concert band A</p>
<p>I think if you get 2150/ with 730+ on math in the SAT it would help your application. </p>
<p>The 3.5 should be fine in my opinion, if your school is one of the more competitive schools as you claim and known for grade deflation. Do you know how many NMSFs they usually have in a year? What is the GPA of your Vals and Sals? What is the average SAT score at your school? </p>
<p>I think you could have taken a few more science and tech AP courses this year to demonstrate you can handle a courseload taken by college freshman majoring in science. It is probably why colleges like to see the most rigorous couseload in junior year. Have you already taken honors Physics, AP Biology and AP Computer Science etc? If not I would have swapped Spanish 5 and Band for perhaps AP CS and honors/ AP Physics. Are you planning on taking Calculus BC and AP Physics in senior year?</p>
<p>I dont know all the stats but their gpa’s are probably 4.0 the sat scores are really hig. I actually got a 780 in math on the sats so i am just trying to mainky bring up my critical reading score. I am taking honors physics senior year as well as Ap calc AB.</p>
<p>I believe adcoms like to see science students take the most rigorous STEM courses offered. They like to see students take advantage of the opportunties they are given. So, I would suggest, at least sign up for Calculus BC in senior year. A 750 in Math II and 780 in SAT math certainly suggests you could handle it. By the way, which science subject were you planning on majoring in?</p>
<p>Keep in mind I am just a parent and this is just my opinion. I am not some admissions expert.</p>
<p>Well i cant take calc BC because i have to take AB first which i am taking senior year. Also i am nkt sure but probably leaning towards chemistry. Thanks for all your help.</p>
<p>To sum it up, in my opinion, the positives are, you attend a competitive school, so your high school science B grades are solid Bs. Your 3.5 GPA is real not inflated. Your SAT test scores confirm this. Your math skills are sound and in the range of what a school such as CMU wants. You are a social person, who likes band, swimming and crew and has leadership skills. </p>
<p>On the negative side, you did not take the most rigorous courseload at your school, especially in your field of interest (science). So there could be some questions about your motivation/ commitment/ desire to take heavy course loads of STEM classes each semester for four years at a competitive STEM college, such as CMU. The absence of rigor in Junior year, I believe, is the number one reason people get rejected at top schools. So, I would say, applying to CMU would not be hopeless, but it is a reach. Also, whether you get into CMU or not, I believe you have a bright future. Good luck.</p>