<p>Could someone with some B's (specifically 5 semester grades, mostly in sophomore year) in weighted math/science courses be accepted here (~3.88UW/4.52W by end of 1st semester senior year)? Or is this a complete deal breaker...
-Competitive public school, does not rank
Also with-
-2350 SAT (800M/750V/800W, 11 essay)
-SAT subject tests: 800 Math, 800 Physics, 760 Chemistry
-AP tests: 5's on AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, APUSH, AP Calculus AB
-College courses: A's in Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, etc. (math/computer science courses)
-Judging based on great EC's (w/ leadership roles, pertaining to math/science/computer science and also some that show level in humanities)
-Female interested in majoring in computer science
-Generally a good essay writer, have some teachers that could give really good recs
-Will apply ED-
Any specific things I could be doing to up my chances, if all is not lost yet? How can I show that I am proficient at math since I had never heard of the AMC tests before? From what I have seen, people on here who have been accepted had 3.9+UW gpa's and if they were lower, it was because of non-math and science classes. ):
Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd, even ED, is fine to have as a reach but it is just that: a reach.</p>
<p>What are your non-reaches?</p>
<p>You should go ahead and apply. My D had a 3.7 GPA, and a few of her B/B+ grades were science, and some A- in a couple of semester of math. She had never taken AMC and was unhooked in every way except gender (which is a bit of a hook at Mudd). And she got in. But it is a reach, no doubt about it, so make sure you have other match and safety schools you like and can afford. </p>
<p>You probably already know this, but you will have to take a significant number of core science courses not related to CS if you attend Mudd, and they are very difficult and fast paced. Just to be sure that you feel confident in this, since you had some issues sophomore year with science classes.</p>
<p>@Catria Since I am in CA, probably UC Davis/San Diego/SB/Irvine, Santa Clara, Cal Poly SLO… not sure if these are “non-reach” though ahah</p>
<p>@intparent She must have been super qualified in some other way you aren’t mentioning… 
And I actually think math and science are my stronger subjects (as my transcript doesn’t reflect hahah) but in the AP chemistry classes for example less than 10 people got A’s out of over 100 my year. But yes, I realize HMC’s probably going to be much harder than anything my school is going to give me, though luckily I’ve shown improvement.</p>
<p>Her test scores were nearly perfect, which I guess I didn’t mention. But that is about it… her ECs were very good but not amazing. Seriously, you should apply. It is a reach, but if you think you are the Mudd type, put your hat into the ring.</p>
<p>@intparent Ah I see… thanks for the response! I was definitely going to apply regardless, because there’s always a chance and I really do think I’m a good fit :)</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>You have 800’s on SAT math tests and also physics and you are taking college level math already. Why do you feel that you haven’t shown that you are “proficient” at math?</p>
<p>Yes, in reading over your qualifications again, I actually think you want to make sure you have some indication that you have that interest beyond math and science. You don’t need a ton, but they do want students who understand and embrace their mission statement:</p>
<p>“Harvey Mudd College seeks to educate engineers, scientists, and mathematicians well versed in all of these areas and in the humanities and the social sciences so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.”</p>
<p>In my kid’s case, she was a literature specialist in her academic competition activity and also had an 800 SAT Subject Lit score. I am sure that didn’t hurt her. You certainly don’t need to be perfectly well rounded between math/engineering interests and the humanities, but I do think they want people who have some interest in the humanities side of the world as well as the STEM side.</p>
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<p>They are not simply “non-reaches”; most of them are low matches. You can probably fit in Berkeley (as a match) if you’re considering UCs at all. </p>
<p>DEFINITELY ED!! You’ve got a good shot!</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1641877-chance-me-for-uconn-uf-pitt.html#latest”>http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1641877-chance-me-for-uconn-uf-pitt.html#latest</a></p>
<p>Chance me plz </p>
<p>@intparent True, I do need to show at least some humanities interest. Hopefully some of my more humanities-oriented activities, essays, and second teacher rec will be able to showcase that side of me.</p>
<p>@mathyone Hahah it’s just because I got B’s in high school classes which are supposed to be a piece of cake for Mudd students! I guess you’re right in that I have shown my math proficiency in other ways but I just wanted to make sure that I was doing enough. </p>
<p>@Catria Thanks so much! I was definitely looking into applying to Berkeley as well, but I thought that it would be more of a reach since my UC gpa would only be ~4.14 while I think their average is slightly higher?</p>
<p>@PrayforUF Thanks! I will chance you back soon.</p>
<p>Yes, that sounds fine for the humanities portion. </p>
<p>I am not from California, but isn’t there some kind of special calculator for GPAs that you guys use for public universities there? I am sure someone from CA can chip in on this… you should check that out to make sure you have the right classes and figure out that special GPA, I think it will help you figure out whether you are in the range for a given college. It seems like your test scores should be fine for Berkeley.</p>
<p>I have been assuming your GPA is on an unweighted 4.0 scale, but maybe you are on a different scale? If you are on a 4.0, you seem to be in good shape to me.</p>
<p>@intparent
Do you mean the UC GPA? He said his is around 4.14. </p>
<p>@awesomekid
Can you list some of your extracurricular activities? Nonetheless, if as you say they are good, I think you have a fairly good chance to Harvey Mudd, UCB etc. Also, make sure you have taken the appropriate “a-g” courses for the UCs. </p>
<p>@wannabefeynman I know giving my ECs would help you give more accurate chances for me, but I don’t think I want to reveal them at this point for privacy because my more major ones are fairly unique. But thanks for your opinion even without that info! </p>
<p>And to everyone else, I figured out that my UW GPA would actually be 3.89 at the end (woop de doo), not that that even makes a difference lol omg (a step closer to that 3.9+ hah). </p>
<p>@intparent Ah yes, I am on a 4.0 scale for UW and 5.0 for W GPA (however, we do not even have weighted classes for freshmen and not many for sophomores; the highest I’ve really seen here has been around 4.7-8?) Sorry for not making that clear in the first place!</p>
<p>@intparent I just thought of this… I have another question, if you don’t mind- do you know if when your daughter applied, if other students from her school applied as well?</p>
<p>Since I am in CA, undoubtedly some others will apply from my school as well- however, I am not really worried about them. But there is one girl who has done well in many math competitions, was a year ahead of those already on the advanced track (I am on the advanced track) for math, probably ~same range SAT scores, but probably 4.0 UW GPA and an even higher W GPA than me (more AP/weighted classes by a few). Her EC’s are at the least as good as mine (without humanities-oriented ones) + she wants to go into the same field as me! So who knows, our essays might have some overlaps. And she has a sibling who attends/attended HMC, I believe. </p>
<p>Doesn’t this just completely rule a student out, when another student totally outshines the former (mainly because HMC is such a small college)? I know there isn’t any quota, but isn’t it just some subconscious bias that would arise for any adcom against the not as superstar student when given two extremely similar students? I’m actually not sure if she’s even going to apply (not ED for sure), because she does not seem the liberal arts type and more of the big name type- CMU, Stanford, MIT, Berkeley- and could probably get into some of those schools.</p>
<p>If anyone else has any opinions about this, please do reply. Obviously there is no harm in still applying, but I guess I’m just trying to be realistic as possible so as to not be upset when the time comes. I think I have an okay shot (?) at UCSD engineering so then I just got to be looking forward to that… lol.</p>
<p>I think at least one other student from her school applied, but he was less qualified in every way – grades, test scores, and ECs. So it is not a surprise that he didn’t get accepted. I don’t know how Mudd handles this, but I can say this. My kids went to a high school with a graduating class of under 60 kids. In D1’s graduation year, 2 kids ended up attending Dartmouth, and 2 ended up at USC’s Cinematic Arts program – both pretty tough admits, and they took a couple. So it isn’t unheard of that a couple of kids from the same class get into a very selective school. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, play your own game and put together your best application. I think Mudd considers the essays pretty seriously (I thought they were more effort than a lot of the other schools required), so give them some serious attention. </p>
<p>As a girl with your math, science skills you’ll get in</p>
<p>@intparent Wow, my class size is huge! Did she attend a top school or magnet/charter? Because perhaps the school’s reputation/rigor was a factor that helped to explain her GPA. But anyway, thanks again for all the help! Your responses have been super helpful and have relieved me a bit, haha.</p>
<p>@theanaconda Thanks for the optimism… 
</p>