Improving My Application for Carnigie Mellon

<p>The 36 Math on the ACT will look great to the CS department. That might counterbalance your mediocre (by CMU standards!) SAT math score.</p>

<p>What essay? If it's a long essay, one paragraph would be kind of silly, but for the 'why i want to be an X major' essay, one paragraph would probably make sense. I think whatever paragraphing makes sense for your content is the right paragraphing to use.</p>

<p><strong><em>UPDATE</em></strong>*
December 2006
Math I: 740
May seem low, but I am taking Math II in June when I finish my Pre-calculus course. :)</p>

<p>I have a question about the essay length.
For example, if the length is 500 words and I write 400 words, would I be looked down upon because I did not say "enough"? How many words would it be advisable to write in this situation?</p>

<p>I have always been a fan of quality over quantity. If you feel you have sufficiently said what you needed to in 400 words then its ok. The definition of "enough" really depends on you.</p>

<p>****<strong><em>UPDATE</em></strong>*******
5 Semester GPA: 4.739</p>

<p>****<strong><em>UPDATE</em></strong>*******
6 Semester GPA: 4.7394.87
June 9th 2006
C 31
E 32(+1)
M 33(-3){Did not even finish...}
R 28(-2)
S 30(+2)</p>

<p>SScore
C 32
E 32
M 36
R 30
S 30</p>

<p>It looks as if my scores are good enough as a 32 is in the 99 percentile. :)
What do you guys think?</p>

<p>Did you forget about 33, 34, 35, and 36? CMU is in the 99th percentile too.</p>

<p>No, I'm just being mean. You stand a decent chance. I'd give you... 65%</p>

<p>****<strong><em>UPDATE</em></strong>*******
June 2007 SAT II Subject Tests
Chemistry 750<br>
Mathematics Level 2 770</p>

<p>Are these scores competitive enough?</p>

<p>looks good to me ^_^</p>

<p>So would I have to apply to additional schools within CMU if I am just applying to SCS?</p>

<p>My son only applied to SCS. He said he had no interest in anything else. I'm told a few people do transfer into SCS every year.</p>

<p>Is it a wise idea to recycle essays?</p>

<p>You only fill out one application, but mark that you're interested in multiple schools on it. If you mean reusing essays between universities you apply to, it's a good idea as long as your essays still respond to the given prompts.</p>

<p>What do the people here mean by a "killer" essay? What kind of essay should I write? How should I write my essay? Please, I need your expertise and advice. Thank you!</p>

<p>I have no idea whether kids are right about their "killer" essays. I can assure you my son's essays weren't though! His essay answered the MIT prompt which was something about how your family influenced you and made you who you are. He talked about how we gave him the freedom and tools to teach himself computer programming. (Enough so that he took the AP as a freshman.) But I've seen nice essays about cooking waffles too. I think the best thing is to go to the library or a bookstore and browse books about writing college application essays. You'll get some good ideas. Here's one of my favorite pieces of advice from online: <a href="http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>