Help! Is CMU a Match or a Reach, ED/RD?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>Hi,
I'm trying to figure out if I'm a match for CMU or a reach. I'm not really certain, because CMU is obviously competitive, but I haven't gotten any signal confirming either choice. It'll affect my ED decision. I'm looking at another college for ED but I'd love to go to CMU. I'm also would love your suggestions/tips.</p>

<p>School: SCS. </p>

<p>Basic Info:
3.6 UW GPA from top 30 HS. (I think this will go up slightly after first sem senior year)
2300+ SAT
(4's and 5) AP scores and AP Scholar/Distinction </p>

<p>EC's are great and focused on CS (pretty unique and awesome). </p>

<p>Grades aren't as hot, I did well for the most part with a rigorous course-load, but there is a C or two (junior year) making my GPA trend downward slightly, which is why Senior year might help.</p>

<p>I'd love to hear your suggestions and/or reccomendations. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>On the reachy side, given the Cs - SCS is just so competitive that it’s reachy for even applicants with near perfect grades/scores, so your grades may hinder you. ED would help your chances, but if CMU isn’t your number one, obviously don’t do ED. However, I would say definitely a reach (though not necessarily an impossible one) for RD.</p>

3

<p>For SCS, it should be considered a reach. SCS’s acceptance rate is currently below 15 %.</p>

4

<p>Alright, Thanks! How much do EC’s play over GPA (if at all)?</p>

5

<p>are you from the area?</p>