Mudd, UT, UTD

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a Catholic white male from Texas.</p>

<p>I would really like to get into Harvey Mudd for engineering or UT Austin's Honors Engineering program. I know they are drastically different educational experiences but I like their respective programs. I'm also considering Electrical Engineering at UT Dallas provided that I get my tuition paid for. </p>

<p>SAT: 2170 right now (2200 superscore)</p>

<p>October:
740 CR
750 W
680 M (Weird as I always get best on math but I think that I can bring it up to a 760 at least in December) but 710 superscore. Probably won't even apply to Mudd if I don't get a competitive math score.</p>

<p>Taking SAT II in January for Mudd. </p>

<p>GPA: 3.94/4.0 School doesn't weight.
Rank: 4/413 Pretty Lax Public School. Most likely 3rd after this semester.
AP:
Biology 5
US History 4
English Language 4
Studio Art: 2D Design 5</p>

<p>Senior Schedule: Most Rigorous courseload that my school offers.
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics B
AP Art History
AP English Literature
AP Art Studio Drawing
AP Government/AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology/National Security Issues Honors
Aquatic Science Honors</p>

<p>ECs: My Weakpoint:
NAHS: Vice President 12th. We just got NAHS approved in our district.
NHS: 11-12
H.O.P.E. Club: 10-12 (Recycling)
Science U.I.L. team :10-12</p>

<p>Only about 60-70 hours of Volunteer service.
Public Library and Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls</p>

<p>Hobbies:
Drawing: I've always had a passion for Art, and I have a nice portfolio.</p>

<p>Awards:
National Merit Commended (barely missed the cutoff)
AP Scholar with Honor
3rd at Local Community Colleges Art Show
Hoping to get a piece hanging at the Dallas Museum of Art in December for the Young Masters exhibit.</p>

<p>My recommendations will be good to excellent.
Physics Teacher
My English Teacher or Art Teacher</p>

<p>Going to write an essay about my parents drug addictions and my fathers stay in prison.
Another will either be about my passion for art or something else that will hopefully not sound cliche and boring. </p>

<p>I know I don't really have much going for me with ECs. I spent most of high school not really caring much about what college I was going to go to. My math score is suprisingly somewhat lacking. I made an 80 PSAT and have been on a downward spiral since. Hopefully December will bring me to where I'd like to be.
Despite this, do you think I have a chance?</p>

2

<p>bump.
i'm really wondering whether i should even apply to mudd.</p>

3

<p>Don't rule out applying to Mudd. If you truly can get the math SAT I up to 750+ (and nail the Math level 2 subject test), you are likely in the mix. </p>

<p>Not sure if HMC superscores or not--that very question is the most recent active thread on the Harvey Mudd board, so you might want to check.</p>

<p>Your HS courses haven't been terribly rigorous--BUT you've taken the hardest classes available, which takes care of that issue. Your essays could be quite strong--and perhaps could explain some of the lacking extra-curriculars. (Plus, how much time do you spend drawing in an average week?)</p>

<p>Plus, at least in comparison to my freshman mudder, your art talent stands out quite a bit!</p>

<p>One final point, at some schools, if 2 recs are required, they need to be from teachers of core courses--IF that is the case at HMC, you might want to use the art teacher as a supplemental rec.</p>

<p>good luck</p>

4

<p>Thanks for replying! I'm pretty sure I can get the math to a 750-760 but I don't think I can eliminate all of the little mistakes I make so probably no 800. But all the same you give me new hope. </p>

<p>As to how much time I spend on art, well, when I start an assignment typically I spend 1-3 hours planning the piece in my sketchbook, and then I spend around 4-15 hours on a piece depending on the complexity. An average piece probably takes me 8-10 hours to complete. I do one a week for my art class and usually spend a few extra hours each week researching or just drawing for pleasure. </p>

<p>I think Harvey Mudd does require a Humanities teacher but I think I will send in a rec from my art teacher as a supplement as she really knows me well. I will be able to explain my ECs somewhat but I do not feel that I have exactly done all that I could. Hopefully my art can partially makeup for my lack of involvement. Also do you think it would be a good idea to send in a CD with my digitalized portfolio?</p>

5

<p>Talk to the admissions office regarding the CD. </p>

<p>Have you done an interview with Mudd yet? </p>

<p>Make sure you are ready for the SAT II sitting. Are you scheduled? My second son is taking it 12/1, which gives him thanksgiving to prep a little. Regular deadline for registration is 11/1.</p>