<p>Hi guys,
I have a few questions which I will try to keep as succinct as possible. :)</p>
<p>First, a word about me: I'm from rural Southern Virginia. In fact, I attend a public school in one of the counties which closed their school systems to resist desegregation. That in and of itself should give you insight as to my academic career thus far. </p>
<p>Basically, my school is academically weak. We're certainly not the worst, but I'm going to go on a limb and assume that most Mudd potentials have had, shall we say... better opportunities?</p>
<p>To illustrate my point: I'm entering my senior year. I'll be taking year-long courses in physics, calculus, and molecular biology. None of which are AP. I'm most worried about physics and calculus. The physics teacher is absolutely terrible and doesn't really advance the course beyond Newtonian non-calculus-based material. As in, "what's friction?" Calculus doesn't sound quite as foreboding, but students who've taken the class consistently score lower than a 3 on the AP test. When a lot of Mudders take these classes their Junior or even Sophomore year and get 5's, I have to wonder...</p>
<p>What this all boils down to is as follows: can Mudd fill in the blanks? Is it even possible? I intend to study on my own my senior (high school) year, and I'm willing to work to catch up my freshman year, but does Mudd assume a pre-matriculation level of competence that's simply too far above mine? </p>
<p>Of course, this all assumes that I even get in. My SAT scores are nothing to brag about (760V 750W 670M). Yeah, I told you my math sucks. I'm hoping to bring it up about 100 points before I apply. I think anything lower would get my application thrown out (I being a white male and whatnot ;) ). But that's all a discussion for a later date.</p>
<p>Do you think a reasonably able student could pull themselves up to the level of peers who went to better high schools? Or is it suicide?</p>
<p>Here's my opinion, and I think most people at the school would agree with me on this, in some variant. On a scale of 1-100 with regards to academic rigor and expectations of a typical high school:</p>
<p>Avg. Public School - 50
Your school - 20
Harvey Mudd - 1000</p>
<p>What this means is that, for most students, the level of Mudd is so much higher than their high school, that any differences in the rigor of the high school quickly become trivial, as almost everyone has to up their game to a newfound level so great, that a little headstart here or there is virtually meaningless. Of course, there are a few lucky folks who happen to have gone to an exceptionally good high school and/or had access to extracurricular opportunities such that they have a sizably larger head start. But these are the minority, and for the rest of us, the growth is so great as to make our pre-collegiate experiences not incredibly important.</p>
<p>That's just my opinion and observation. Others may feel free to agree or disagree.</p>
<p>Not that I am aware of. But once you start, they do everything they can to help you get up to speed, so it's not like you're completely on your own.</p>
<p>Tadd -- I had a weak preparation in high school, and here at Harvey Mudd I do just fine. The core requirements are extensive but don't assume a great deal of previous knowledge. I noticed that a lot of people had covered a lot of the core material in high school, but especially with pass/fail, there is plenty of time to catch up. If you get in, I'm sure you'll do fine.</p>
<p>I would agree with tiyusufaly in that Harvey Mudd is challenging for everyone, though I wouldn't give it such a rating. Believe me, you can survive, and there are harder things in the world :)</p>
<p>Seiken -- You may be thinking of the Summer Institute for incoming freshmen. The idea of the program is to help (generally female/minority/disadvantaged) students adapt to being at college.</p>
<p>The first semester at Mudd is basically spent getting everyone up to speed/on the same playing field. Given your "weak" HS prep, this may be a difficult semester for you (and may be very easy for others who had better HS program). But you'll learn what you didn't in HS and much more. That is to say, by all means give it a shot! The worst that happens is you spend 50 bucks--or whatever the application fee--and a few hours filling out an application. The upside potential: getting into Mudd!</p>
<p>My guess is that the admissions people will recognize that your school/local system didn't offer you good preparation...I'd guess you'll be seen as a "victim" of poor HS offerings and that will factor in at least a little bit to the admissions decision.</p>
<p>If you show initiative, that you will be a self-starter and make up for lost time, I'd think you stand a very good chance. Definitely work on bringing up that math score. My gut feeling is that SATs still count for <em>a lot</em> in the admissions process. </p>