CMU chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey all, was wondering if anyone can provide some insight onto CMU admissions, and if i have any chance and if i should even bother applying. Basically I was always a good student, but I never really tried in school until Junior year, but I have a massive upward trend. cmu would basically be my reach/dream school, but im wondering if i have any realistic chance to get accepted? Most likely applying to MCS. Since I have not yet taken SAT II's, was wondering its even worth it, or the rest of my application is too weak. I also have heard cmu recalculates gpa without freshman year? Do they take into account any senior grades? if so, and senior grades boost my app, when should I apply? </p>

<p>Freshman gpa 3.16
Sophomore gpa 3.25
Junior gpa 3.91</p>

<p>overall:3.44 (3.58 without freshman yr)</p>

<p>SAT: 2000 (640 CR, 710 M, 650 WR)
(could be better..)
SAT II: havent taken yet, but can probably get 800 Math II, and 700+ physics</p>

<p>AP: 5 on US history, 4 on AP Stats
(aware those dont matter much)</p>

<p>EC's</p>

<p>-4 years varsity swimming
-2 years math league
-Tutored other students, in both math and history(help with essays)
-60+ hours volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, will get excellent letter of recommendation from them
-Winner of Origami by children competition last 5 years(multiple winners), which is an origami competition for anyone under 18 to have their model displayed at the annual convention held in NYC(this is my main hobby, and I have designed my own models and it uses a lot of mathematics. Would it be helpful to include some kind of portfolio? what is the best way to include something like this in an application? Can provide more detail if needed)
-3 week internship in uncles accounting firm, can be given a letter if needed(not sure how to report this</p>

<p>overall: not too many EC's but I would like to try and stress the value of my origami hobby, as well as some accounting experience </p>

<p>TLDR; Worth it to take SAT II's for this one school, or should I just not bother? Anyone with past experience, or someone who was admitted who had stats on the low end, like me? Is there anything I can do in the coming months to strengthen the application, short of retaking SAT I again? Would appreciate any info I can get.
Basically just want to understand if I have any sort of chance. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Need to get SAT up ~100 points. GPA is low. If you get those SAT up and SAT IIs, with your GPA, CMU is a mid reach unless you have some really amazing ECs.</p>

<p>And if you want to go CMU, you’d want to retake SAT and definitely SATIIs.</p>

3

<p>It looks like you’re probably a borderline/reach candidate. One thing that good admissions officers take into account, especially in cases like yours, is a strong personality represented in your personal statement and other essays. If the admissions officer feels a strong connection with your writing, he or she is much less likely to immediately dismiss you due to your scores. </p>

<p>I’m an admissions consultant at Harvard Square Essays, where we help students in your position craft the best possible essays to improve their chances. We employ only Harvard-educated editors, who know first-hand what it takes to get into an elite school. If you’re serious about getting into an top tier school, check us out at: [Harvard</a> Square Essays](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/harvardessays]Harvard”>Admissions Essay Editing | Harvard Square Essays).</p>

<p>Best wishes, and good luck!</p>

<p>Martin F.
Admissions Consultant,
[Harvard</a> Square Essays](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/harvardessays]Harvard”>Admissions Essay Editing | Harvard Square Essays)</p>

4

<p>^I smell heavy advertising. Don’t bother blowing your money on that (is advertisement even allowed on here?)</p>

<p>Here is the link to all you need to know…
[Admission</a> > Academic Requirements](<a href=“Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University”>Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University)</p>

<p>As you’ll see, specific SAT IIs are required. Regarding your GPA, I <em>believe</em> that CMU does not really care about freshman year grades as much as the rest of the years. Like someone else said, your SAT score is a tad low. Try getting your math score up if possible. I strongly encourage you to surf around the site more and check out the statistics. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>I think if i take the SAT I again, my math score will definitely go up. I know for sure my CR, and probably writing will go down though, so I dont know if its worth it.</p>

6

<p>I was thinking of trying the ACT, maybe taking that with math II and physics subject tests is my best option</p>