Oh my god, I'm a senior. Chance me for Computer Science schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>My stats:</p>

<p>Male Hispanic (cuban origins)
12th grade
Small town in Nebraska
Interested in majoring in computer science.</p>

<p>SAT:
2200 Cumulative
760 Math
750 Reading
690 Writing (10 Essay)</p>

<p>SATII:
790 Math IIc
790 Physics
710 Literature</p>

<p>GPA: 3.975 Unweighted/4.075 Weighted (1 B in a class, otherwise straight A's)
Class Rank: 1/284 (last time I saw it. Class size drops every year due to dropouts)
Hardest courseload possible</p>

<p>AP Classes:
Junior
AP Calculus (A, 5 on exam)
AP Physics (A, 3 on exam)
Senior:
AP Chemistry
AP Biology</p>

<p>Interesting classes:
This year I'm taking distance learning classes (basically video chat over TVs) from a Math magnet school. I'll be taking
Calculus 3 (Multivariable)
Discrete Math
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra</p>

<p>Other Stuff:</p>

<p>Summers:
I did MITES 09 this junior year. Basically I took classes at MIT (Physics 3, Calc 2, Biochemistry, Humanities, and Engineering design) that actual MIT freshmen/sophomores would take over six weeks. Although they won't release my grades (not even to me), they will give me recommendations from each teacher. Basically, this shows that I can thrive in a difficult college-like experience. </p>

<p>ECs, Leadership, and Awards:</p>

<p>-Expecting National merit semifinalist (last year's cutoff was 206 in NE)</p>

<p>-Varsity Physics Team <a href="the%20name%20is%20poking%20fun%20at%20athletics">11th-12th</a> won first at regional JETS TEAMS contest, a physics competition where around 15-20 schools competed. Our scores will be sent to the state to see if we get to go to nationals</p>

<p>-Robotics Club President [10th-11th grades] - routinely wins 2nd or 3rd in regional robotics programming contests (sadly, funding was cut for this year)</p>

<p>-Future Business Leaders of America President [11th-12th]</p>

<p>-Quiz Bowl [11th-12th]</p>

<p>-Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) [11th-12th]</p>

<p>-National Honor Society [11th-12th]</p>

<p>-Young Democrats Club [11th-12th]</p>

<p>-Programming Team <a href="a%20group%20of%204%20people%20who%20go%20and%20compete%20in%20regional%20C++%20contests">11th-12th</a></p>

<ul>
<li>Won 6th in state in National French Exam [10th grade]</li>
<li><p>Won 8th in state in National French Exam [11th grade]</p></li>
<li><p>Built websites using PHP and MYSQL databases for fun and profit (since 8th grade, actually, when my first site sold for $20. I've made a few thousand, which has been mainly used to help my family out.)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Special Circumstances:
- Moved from Miami summer before 8th grade
- Parents are Cuban immigrants and speak little English
- This high school only covers grades 10-12, which is why I didn't have many ECs in 9th grade.</p>

<p>------------Phew, that was long--------------</p>

<p>Where I'm applying (roughly ordered by preference):
Interested in majoring in computer science.</p>

<p>MIT
Stanford
Caltech
Carnegie Mellon
U Chicago
Harvey Mudd
Dartmouth
Columbia
University of Nebraska at Omaha (safety due to guaranteed merit aid)</p>

<p>(Also, if anyone has any idea for more good match/safety computer science schools, please let me know)</p>

2

<p>Anyone have any help?</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately, it’s tough to say that you’re “in” for top college like caltech or MIT, even though your stats are very good. So, don’t take it personally, but </p>

<p>MIT- reach (for everyone)
Stanford- reach (for everyone)
Caltech- reach (for everyone)
Carnegie Mellon- low match
U Chicago- match
Harvey Mudd- low match
Dartmouth- low reach
Columbia- reach (for almost everyone)
University of Nebraska at Omaha- safety</p>

4

<p>Thank you. Is there anything in my stats that could be improved, or should I just keep doing what I’m doing?</p>

5

<p>you are basically in everywhere. p.s, i hate you because I got rejected from MITES.</p>

6

<p>Scacchic is wrong. For some people, the top colleges are not reaches. As an URM with good stats and ECs, no college is higher than a low reach (except maybe Caltech as they do not practice affirmative action) and even MIT is probably a high match.</p>

7

<p>I would agree with silverturtle – for a hispanic with AMAZING stats, you will probably get into almost all (if not all) of your schools. At this point I would just suggest trying to make sure that your choices are good fits for you.</p>

8

<p>First of all, thank you to everyone for being so kind - honestly, when I compare myself to people who got 2370’s, 4.9 GPA, 14 AP classes, and national awards, I don’t really see myself as being so amazing, so it’s nice to know that I have an actual chance of getting into these places.</p>

<p>futurexreject - Look on the bright side, you got more than three hours of sleep average per night over the six weeks MITES lasted, didn’t you? :)</p>

<p>Another question: Are there more good CS schools I should be considering? Honestly, for me, I don’t care about the place (I’ve lived in hot and moist, cold and moist, and cold and dry, don’t really mind any climate too much). All I want is a place that will challenge me and make me work hard (MITES did that, that’s for sure, which is why MIT is now roughly my first choice)</p>

9

<p>Anyone else?</p>

10

<p>gluck my homie</p>

11

<p>MITES '06 here! Consider applying to Princeton… I’ve absolutely loved it. And with your accomplishments/stats, I think you’d really fit in :)</p>

12

<p>Why do you think I’d fit in at princeton?</p>

<p>Honestly, I’ve talked to a couple of alums and read about them and I don’t love princeton like I love my other college choices.</p>

<p>Thanks for the recommendation, though.</p>

13

<p>Excellent chance at all.</p>

14

<p>what websites have u sold?</p>

15

<p>Sorry 2468, but I don’t really feel comfortable saying that (both for my privacy and for the customer’s) on the internet.</p>

<p>For the same reason that I don’t say my full name or my high school name.</p>

<p>They’re good websites, but rather simple on the graphics end as I’m not an artist by any means. Let’s leave it at that.</p>

16

<p>Hey, just got word that I am now a National Merit Semifinalist. Is this worth putting on applications?</p>

17

<p>Definitely! It’s a national level award(though some would argue that it’s statewide because of the differing cutoffs).</p>

<p>Have you considered Berkeley? It’s a great school for computer science as well.</p>

<p>I think you’ll be in definitely at one, probably 2, and maybe all three of MIT/Stanford/Caltech, and you’ve got great chances everywhere else too.</p>

18

<p>Wow! Great application and URM status as well.
Not much to say except low reach at pretty much all the schools you listed. You might get rejected from a couple but in at mostly all.</p>

19

<p>I mean I honestly think you’re a pretty good match for any of those schools. Being an URM and from Nebraska will give you that extra edge. Good luck!</p>

20

<p>My MIT interview is in less than three weeks. I can’t believe this is all actually happening already. </p>

<p>Anyone else have chances for me?</p>

<p>What are my biggest weaknesses?</p>