Good SAT Math Subject Test Score, bad GPA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

Hello! I am applying to Carnegie Mellon for the class of 2020 and I was wondering if getting an 800 on both SAT Math 1 and SAT Math 2 Subject Tests would increase my chance of getting accepted? I know that an 800 won’t make them automatically accept me, but would it help increase my chance of getting accepted (if even by 0.000001%)?

Here are my stats:

AP Classes [Grade (9-12)]:

[ul]
[li]AP World History [9][/li][li]AP Human Geo [10][/li][li]AP CompSci A [10][/li][li]AP Psychology [10][/li][li]AP Physics 1 [11][/li][li]AP Stats [11][/li][li]AP English Lang [11][/li][li]APUSH [11][/li][li]AP Environmental Science [11][/li][li]AP Chemistry [12][/li][li]AP English Lit [12][/li][li]AP Gov [12][/li][li]AP Macro [12][/li][li]AP Calc AB [12][/li][/ul]

Some Extracurricular Activities:

  • []Tutor students in math on StudyBuddyHelp.org and MathChat
    [    ]Part of Mu Alpha Theta (a.k.a. Math Club, Math Honor Society)
    []Attend and (occasionally) place in math competitions
    [    ]Part of Programming Club
    []Attend and (occasionally) place in programming competitions
    [    ]Helped feed the homeless
    []Compete in online capture the flags (CTFs)
    [    ]Part of National English Honor Society
    []Can program decently in Java, can read and write HTML/CSS, can read PHP, JavaScript, Python, C; is learning R
    [    ]…And more

SAT:

  • []Math: 720
    [    ]Reading: 670
    []Writing: 630
    [    ]Composite: 2020
    []Math 1 (Subject Test): 800
    [    ]Math 2 (Subject Test): 800

ACT:

  • []Math: 35 (only 1 question wrong! Ugh!)
    [    ]English: 33
    []Writing: 32
    [    ]Reading: 31
    []Science: 29
    [    ]Composite: 32

GPA:

  • []Weighted: 4.0
    [    ]Unweighted: 3.0 (yes, I know it is bad and will significantly affect my chances of getting in)

Random Information:

  • []I have a lot to write about; e.g. modelling, my culture (I’m from an obscure South American country), I am a female programmer (have wanted to be one since I was about 12), I can speak many languages fluently, etc.
    [    ]I have decent teacher recommendations

I would like to say that I am sorry if this all came off as very arrogant, as I promise that that is not my intention. I am not a showy or pretentious person at all, and I don’t try to be one, but the reason why I’m writing all this information is so that hopefully you get a better picture of who I am. I’m also not claiming to be an expert in all things related to math or programming (and I’m sorry if I came off that way), but I’m just trying to emphasize that those are the things I’ve been focusing and working on since 9th grade. And I know that my UW GPA is extremely bad (I don’t like it either), but I’m hoping that my test scores (especially SAT Math Subject Tests) and other aspects of me make up for it.

I know that I won’t get in only on the basis of my SAT score, but I’m wondering if (and hoping that) my SAT Math Subject Test Score will improve/help/increase my chance of getting in, if even by a minute amount. I’m pretty sure I have an extremely small chance of getting in, but I just want to see if others agree with me (and I won’t be surprised if you do).

Once again, I’m so sorry for this gigantic news article, and I’m sorry if this isn’t supposed to be posted here, but thank you so much for your time!

2

That GPA is definitely on the low side. Is there a reason why it’s low? What is your class rank?

Are you applying to SCS? I’m going to be honest and say that many of the people who apply ( and stand a good chance) have 800 for Math II, 2250+ SAT I scores, and near-perfect GPA’s.

However, with that being said, it depends on the package, which includes things like demographics, courseload, essays, etc.

To answer your question, yes, it helps to have an 800 in SAT II Math II. Yes, it helps just a little, in the larger scheme of things. But if your low GPA can be justified, and your overall application is outstanding, then it’s possible to get in.

P.S. If you’re applying for SCS, you are required to take two subject tests (one in science and one in math), so you should do that soon if you haven’t.

3

Also, where do you live? If you’re from a state like Iowa where Carnegie doesn’t get that many applicants, it could play a significant role in your chances. One of the CMU admissions counselors mentioned this at a conference that I went to. They want to be able to say that they have students from every state in the country.

What courses did you not get an A in? I think this matters a lot too, because I think I would be slightly less worried (although still pretty worried) if the B’s were in non-STEM classes since you are applying for a STEM major. Like, I would be more okay with seeing B’s in art and history classes rather than B’s in AP Calc and AP Physics.

Other than that, I think clairee is pretty spot on. Don’t forget to take your science SAT Subject test!

4

@clairee Yes, there’s a reason and I’ll justify it to CMU, and I’m unsure of my class rank. I’m planning on applying to College of Engineering (first choice), and SCS (second choice). I know SCS is quite competitive, and I might not stand a chance. Either way, thank you very much!

@jyinsanity I am from south Florida, and thank you for the helpful tip; I never knew that. I mostly didn’t get As in electives and liberal arts courses (e.g. English, etc.). I didn’t get Fs in those classes, but it was usually either Bs or Cs. Thank you for your help!

5

@Lynkos GPA seems a little low, everything else looks like it’s within the 50% mid-range, quantitatively at least. What will eventually determine your admission status will be recommendations, ECs, and other intangibles. Good luck to you.