Do I have a shot?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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<p>I bet it must be tiring to get these questions most of the time, but I'd really appreciate it if someone could check me out and give me a rundown of the chances I might have to get in.</p>

<p>First of all, I don't have my SAT scores in yet. My mother was too busy getting my other brother through college so I kind of got brushed aside. But if the score will be anything like my PSAT's, it would be around a 1720.</p>

<p>My average GPA is a 3.0. It may seem low, but I've been challenging myself with AP classes, including World, U.S History, Government and Economics, and Biology. The former two I've received fours on the A.P exams. The latter two I'm still working on right now, senior year. I've also received Syracuse University credit for a Project Advance class - Sociology - but from what I've heard it's only useful for a few colleges. I also tried an A.P exam for English junior year, since it was free because of my low income, and got a three on the exam.</p>

<p>The only classes that I haven't been doing honors in is Foreign Language and Math, for all that's worth with my 3.0 GPA. But I hope that it shows that I'm committing effort.</p>

<p>The program that I want to participate in is GSAS. I've played video games all my life, and I feel that it's time for that medium to turn into a form of art; and that I'm gonna be the one that makes it so. Hopefully Rennselaer will be the vessel that allows me to reach my goal.</p>

<p>I'm confident with my ability to write essays, the things that I'm most worried about are my low GPA scores, my projected low SAT scores and my "lack" of interest in Rennselaer; my mother can't really afford to take me on college visits.</p>

<p>Also, I'm asian, if that means anything. I don't think it does, but I had to mention it.</p>

<p>So what do you think? Do I have a fair shot at this?</p>

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<p>No one here is on the admissions committee so the only thing you’ll get from this board is speculation.</p>

<p>RPI is definitely stats biased, but every college pays attention to spectacular extracurriculars and a commitment to trying your hardest. I think I had around a 3.3 or 3.5 in high school, however I had a special background that shed light on why I had such a low GPA.</p>

<p>If your 3.0 is due to you slacking off or not making efforts, you’ll probably be able to pick it up in high school if you put the time into it. If you’re getting a 3.0 at a public school and legitimately trying your best, RPI might not be the place for you. </p>

<p>Ex- I didn’t try the hardest I could have in high school. Now at RPI, although I do have a social life/pledging a fraternity/have a girlfriend, I’m busting my ass studying and should have a 4.0 fall semester of sophomore year which should leave me at around a 3.8 or 3.9 cumGPA. The work and material are definitely a lot harder than high school… just rise to the challenge.</p>

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<p>Sup Evan, seems like you and me are in a somewhat similar boat here (: . I think it’d be tough for yourself to get in as that 3.0 GPA is reallllly pushing it. It’s a very ambitious stretch IMHO. </p>

<p>You do have something good going for you though - you’re a minority (asian). I’ve seen minorities applying with GPA’s in the low 3’s, and getting accepted to RPI. If you can write a stellar life story, then you might have a glimmering chance. If you think you can do it, go for it, otherwise it might be best to look elsewhere. My personal essay is my biggest bargining chip in my application, without it, I don’t think I’d have any shot at getting in.</p>

<p>I myself haven’t had the opportunity to visit RPI in person or go in for an interview either, but I have a friend currently attending who’s a junior and has provided me with a lot of insight. The cool thing about it is the fact that he’s going through the GSAS program himself, so I’ve really heard a lot of good things about it. </p>

<p>If you check out my thread just below this one, you’ll see my current stats for the most part, and they’re somewhat similar to what you’ve got going here. I got a 1740 with my first go on the SAT, but I know I could easily push a 1900-2000 if I actually study and don’t fall asleep again during the test(doh). Sadly I don’t really have the time to take it again, not under the Early Decision Deadline that I’m applying through at least. If you can, you might want to consider trying to take the ACT, as I found that way less stressful, and probably got at least a 27 w/o studying or any prep at all. It should translate to at least an 1800+ or so on the SAT. I have to get those October scores though, so I’m not sure exactly how well I did.</p>

<p>Now I’d like to point something out - There’s quite a difference between PLAYING games, and CREATING them. I’ve read numerous stories over the past few months while scouring the net in regard to college programs based around game dev, and there’s a lot of gamers like yourself that drop out of a game dev major because it’s not what they expected. Because you like playing video games doesn’t mean you’ll like developing them. </p>

<p>I’m pretty set on the gamedev industry myself as I’ve reverse engineered and modded video games as a hobby for years. Along with my background in coding and passion towards technology, I really don’t know what other career path I’d take.</p>

<p>If you’re set on going through a game development sort of program, then may you have the best of luck! It’ll be fun and exciting if you can really dive into the experience.</p>

<p>Here’s a few other colleges I’m applying to, you should have a look at them if you’re serious about GSAS as they too are ranked as having the best game dev programs (:</p>

<p>Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Becker College</p>

<p>Becker you should have no problem getting into, the other ones might be slightly tougher - but easier than RPI.</p>

<p>Good Luck, and I’ll let you know if I make it into RPI under my Early Decision Application in about two weeks!</p>

<p>-Doom</p>

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<p>Asians are the one minority that gets screwed in college admissions.</p>