Grade: 11.5
Courses: 9 and 10 I took all the honors classes I could and took 2 math classes in 9th and 2 science classes in 10th. Currently I am enrolled in the full IB diploma program for this year and senior year (5 IB Higher Level Classes and 1 IB Standard Level Class)
Race: Indian
State: TN
Probably going to finish with a 3.6 GPA unweighted/4.2 unweighted
32 ACT in sophomore year (probably going to finish with atleast a 34)
No SAT yet (32 ACT=2200 SAT though if that helps)
PSAT=1420/1520 with an SSI of 210 (most likely going to be commended/possible semifinalist
I have already earned 9 college credits through summer/spring programs
Extracurricular: Varsity Soccer (3 years), Debate (1 year/Won 5th place at regional tourney), Model UN (3 years), Badminton Club (1 year/served as secretary), History Bowl (2 years/2nd place regional bowl/qualified for Geography Olympiad/qualified for National History Bowl)), Knowledge Bowl (1 year/served as co-captain), Robotics (2 years), Youth Tutoring (1 year), Special-Ed Youth Soccer Volunteer (1 year), National Honor Society (1 year), attended Harvard Summer School after 10th grade (7 weeks, took 2 undergrad courses [Neurobiology and Astrobiology] and earned B+ grades in both [top 15% of students there]), Intern for my dad’s IT business (assisted on designing products/apps), Advanced Space Academy (one week seminar during spring break of 10th grade), School Ambassador (3 years).
Besides CMU, I’m also looking at Ivies, MIT, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, Chicago, Caltech…and if you all could recommend other fits. Thank you!!
Don’t believe CMU has a separate astronomy program, however you could successfully combine your interest in astronomy and CS in MCS by pursuing an astrophysics emphasis in the physics department.
MCS is one of 7 colleges at CMU. There are 4 main departments (math, physics, chemistry, and biology) but many many inter-disciplinary opportunites available.
@mkumar17 Did you take the AMCs by any chance? If so, how far in the competition did you go? My cousin goes to SCS and he said the average AIME score for a student in SCS is 6. In other words, you have to show some sort of aptitude in mathematics. Perfect SAT I and Subject test math scores are achieved by a large amount of students so it is hard for schools like CMU’s SCS to differentiate between students of different mathematical caliber. I went to a local information session and the admissions representative told me explicitly that you do not need to have any background in coding or comp sci in general to be accepted to this school. Rather, they want raw mathematical talent that could easily learn coding and develop things in the field of computer science. Also for MCS, I think you have a decent shot but try to find out how you stand compared to your peers in the school (i.e class rank and how many students your school sends to CMU every year). However, just focus on things you can control for now. Focus on studying for the ACT, bringing up your grade, and enhancing your resume.
Thank you for that information! I have not taken the AMCs… My GPA will probably remain around a 3.6 when I apply, and I am expecting a 35 atleast on the ACT and equivalent on the SAT. Resume will improve by a good point over the summer. @XAtlas
@mkumar17 I feel as though nothing really “makes up” for anything. The reason is that you are competing against other students high caliber students. I’m not saying you do not have a chance or not getting in, but I am saying that there are tens of thousands of students with high GPAs, high SATs, and decent extracurriculars. Think about how many valedictorians are out there. Think about how many private schools and top magnet schools feed elite universities. You have to realize there are a lot of bright students out there. Additionally, I suggest you take the AMCs. AMC12A has already past but it is not too late for AMC12B. Carnegie Mellon and MIT are few if not the only schools that ask for those scores on their application (of course some schools contact you about it after your application is in).
Congratulations! That’s amazing. Keep on working hard on your ECs and grades, and I’m sure that you’ll become a great candidate for CMU and other schools
Congratulations mkumar17. Assuming your math section was strong, you’ve helped your chances for CIT definitely. Can’t hurt to go for SCS, since CMU asks you to list the colleges you are interested in, you could get MCS and CIT with a wait list for SCS. An important thing now is how they gauge your fit and commitment to CMU from your application. Best of luck to you.