CMU is my top choice

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>So, I used to dream of attending MIT but I received so much negative responses to the notion on CC that rejection now seems inevitable. My sights are now set on CMU. I am not clear on the whole early admission process, though. If I applied early to CMU for example, does that mean I can't apply early to any other school? Someone recently told me that you can apply early only to one school. By the way, CMU is not my only choice, but it is what I am aiming for. I compiled a list of every college that I would like to attend, and I starred the places that I think could possibly be within my reach:
MIT
Stanford
Harvard
Princeton
Cornell **
Caltech
Georgia Tech **
California-Berkeley **
Illinois—Urbana-Champagn **
Carnegie Mellon **
UT Austin (Cockrell) **
USC (Viterbi)
Texas A&M College Station **
Yale
Penn **
Rice **
Brown
Duke **
Cooper Union
Columbia University **</p>

<p>I am a freshman at the moment and have not taken the PSAT yet. I live in Texas so our courses are different from other states, and there are no clubs pertaining to any of my interests (we don't have much variety and there are no tech clubs). The most advanced base classes for a freshman would be PAP Geom., PAP World Geog., PAP English I, and PAP Biology. Other than those, I am on a noncompetitive tennis team, have been in Orchestra since the 5th grade (going to ditch it after I get my one year of fine arts credit so I could start engineering courses), and I am in German II (started German one year early, during middle school). I work very hard and put a lot of effort into any work that I turn in. The methodology each teacher uses to grade papers is radically different, resulting in varying grades by teacher, which clearly demonstrates more than one manipulated variable and shows a fault in the school system. However, even through prejudice, I only care that I learn, for that is the whole point. It is wrong to only care about the numbers, and I hope that admissions officers at a prestigious school such as CMU could understand that. My GPA so far is 12.3, or 4.1 on the 4 point scale (I was told to divide the score of the 12 point scale by 3.)
While I enjoy a wide variety of things, what I enjoy most is having knowledge about different kinds of technology and how it works. I often research different things on the internet. From that research, the computer I am using right now has been fabricate. Some people say it is only a matter of operating a screwdriver, but I think it is much deeper. I like to know exactly what combinations of voltages can result in the highest clock speed of my processor, I like to know why my solid state drives' flash cells have to be TRIM'd in order to maintain maximum efficiency. Basically, I like to know more about technology than anyone and I like to show people there is a much deeper and more complex world behind the things they use every day. I also enjoy working in groups, for example in a class where we are assigned a problem to solve and we all get to brainstorm and bring our thoughts to life.
An excellent aspect of CMU I know I will enjoy is the atmosphere. By that I mean not only the weather and the city of Pittsburgh's urban designation, but the people. I know I will be in a place where I can finally stop limiting myself, where I can have discussions with people with similar interests and curiosities as mine.
I'm not nationally recognized (as far as I know) , I'm not valedictorian, I'm not a mathematical prodigy (that doesn't mean I'm bad, it just means I'm not #1), I haven't found the cure to AIDS or Cancer, etc. But what I do have is an undying and indefatigable love for technology that I know I can use someday to help in the advancement of the technological frontier. Do I stand any chance?</p>

2

<p>… You’re a freshman? Calm down, both MIT and CMU are perfectly within reach. Just take the highest courses that you feel comfortable with that are available to you and keep being as high of an achiever as you seem to be already. But sheesh, you’re not supposed to be worrying about this stuff until a few years down the road. High school’s short-- enjoy it while it lasts!</p>

3

<p>MIT? In reach?! I’ve received much too much discouragement to ever even utter such a phrase! I was told that I am an arrogant jerk that will never get accepted into MIT (in the MIT forum of CC). I hope you’re right.</p>

4

<p>dude. you are a freshman! relax!</p>

<p>I actually cannot tell if you are a ■■■■■ or not</p>

5

<p>First clam down.</p>

<p>You cant possibly get a 4.1 on the 4 point scale.</p>

<p>Look at the other chance threads and create a profile for us.That way we can tell you what your chances are for MIT and CMU. Nobody likes a big clumped paragraph.</p>

6

<p>As a freshman you are off to a great start. Keep taking the most rigorous courses available as that’s what the top schools look for. If there are no tech clubs at your HS, start some (that looks really good!). Enter tech competitions in your area. Take practice PSAT’s. And enjoy high school!</p>

7

<p>I see you are a mature freshman. Even though you have matured earlier than most freshmen, you are in no position to select schools to apply to. It’s good that you are on CC and looking about what college is all about, but take a step back and take a general look at college life.</p>

<p>I think setting a goal to keep you motivated (MIT, why not?) is a great idea, but again, don’t make a whole list. Too many variables in the college process to do that now.</p>

8

<p>SheenR - You are a talented, motivated freshman. At this point all schools are still in reach for you ;). </p>

<p>The MIT CC folks I think were just trying to point out that it is too early to set your heart on one school, especially one that admits fewer than 10% of the applicants. Keep your options open. </p>

<p>If you are in the mood to check into schools now, I suggest you check out the various college summer programs for high school students. That will help you refine your interests (for academics and campus attributes), and down the road that will help you refine your list of colleges. I wish we had found a way to do this for my son.</p>