Chances?

<p>Hi, all. </p>

<p>I am interested in computer science at Carnegie Mellon. </p>

<p>Ethnicity: Egyptian (white)</p>

<p>SAT I:
Math - 780
Critical Reading - 760
Writing - 800
SAT II:
Math Level 2 - 740 (retaking)
Chemistry - 760
Literature - 650</p>

<p>AP Exams:
Calculus BC - 3 (took AB class.)
AB Subscore - 5
Chemistry - 5
Statistics - 5
English Lit - 4 (self study)
English Lang - 5 (self study)
Computer Science A - 3 (self study)
Class Rank: 72/592 </p>

<p>UWGPA - 3.44
WGPA - 3.73 </p>

<p>Awards/Honors:
AP Scholar with Distinction
National Merit Semifinalist </p>

<p>Courseload: Toughest possible at school in addition to self studying 3 APs. </p>

<p>Do I have a shot at CMU? Or is it a long shot? I don't want to be interested in a school until I have somewhat of a decent chance of getting accepted. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>You have a decent shot. A huge percentage of incoming CS majors have 800s on math so while your SATs are well within range (especially with the high verbal scores), the GPA will hurt a bit. A great essay shouldn't be hard with your verbal skills so besides the GPA you're looking good.</p>

<p>CMU has said they're pretty into kids with "diverse" interests nowadays, do you have any ECs to go along with your application?</p>

<p>(I don't know how much I agree with their newer policy of doing that, since I did tons of ECs while in high school since I really loved doing them, but once I got to CMU I couldn't find any clubs that I really meshed well with, so I wound up being involved lightly in a professional society and my department's student advisory council.)</p>

<p>lfecollegeguy, I'd be more than happy to retake the SAT for an 800 math if it'd increase my chances at CMU...</p>

<p>From want I've heard, CS is highly hard to get into. But you seem to have a good chance. Bu I have a question. You say your Egyptian, so doesn't that mean your african american, not white. I mean it would give you a slight edge to say you are a URM.</p>

<p>Uh, the difference between a 780 and a 800 on the SAT math is usually like 1 question, which you could have gotten wrong because of a stupid mistake, so that shouldn't make a difference anywhere you apply.</p>

<p>I don't think the intention of lfcollegeguy was for you to try for the 800...just that your scores themselves though very high wouldn't be an automatic "in" for CS since so many do score highly, esp math (I'm sure you know this already). Actually I recall from Family Weekend talks by one of the CS deans (?) that somewhere around 1/4 of the class actually scores 800 and the average is about 770.</p>

<p>I wouldn't think of retaking SAT 1 with those scores.</p>

<p>I do agree---spend time on the essay. With your high scores CR and writing, a killer essay might be expected. Good luck.</p>

<p>While your GPA and class rank are lower than the average CS student your SAT scores are right up there. I would agree with 2331clk that you probably will not benefit by retaking your SAT II Math again. A strong essay letting them know your passion for computer science and some good references will sure help. Go for it.</p>

<p>low chance . Y ur amazing SAT scores can get u into Harvard, BUT ur low GPA and low CLASS RANK really just "killz" it.</p>

<p>You still have a shot if you can bring the GPA up with that class Rank Up.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

<p>I agree the class rank and perhaps the lack of ECs is a problem. Re Post #9, high SAT scores alone would NOT get you into Harvard. No one gets into Harvard from our high school who is not in the top 2% of the class. SCS mean rank is 6% and unweighted GPA is 3.78. You are below mean, though not impossibly below. You have a chance, but it will definitely be a reach.</p>

<p>No need to take SAT1 again, it's fine.</p>