<p>@acetherocket, I can’t agree with that. A 29 maybe won’t automatically get you out of competition, but the rest of your app needs to be absolutely incredible. And by that, I mean cure cancer or create Facebook. Stanford and CMU comp sci are two of the most selective schools in the country, with an acceptance rate of below 7% each. People who get in, considering they don’t have URM, legacy, or athlete recruitment as a “hook,” need to have an amazing app overall. And that means highest possible grades, toughest courses offered, outstanding scores, unique ECs, and amazing essays. And I’m afraid that OP’s 29 on the ACT will rule him out of the competition for these schools, so saying that he can “certainly get in” is just way too optimistic.</p>