OK, applying for Comp Sci to top schools, do your worst (or most honest)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>White male, NC resident, 100k income</p>

<p>GPA: 4.00 UW, 5.2 W (6 for AP, 5 for honors, 4 for reg)
Super competitive, nationally ranked, public magnet high school (20% asian)</p>

<p>SAT I: 2100 (740M, 670CR, 690W) -> Yeah it needs to go up A LOT, but I've dicked around every time I've taken it and have been prepping all summer for a Nov/Dec 3rd try
SAT II: 740 USH, 710 Physics (taking Math II soon, 730 on Barron's diagnostic, will be upped)</p>

<p>APs: 5 on Comp Sci AB, USH, Calc BC. 4 on World History. 3 on Physics C Mechanics and Eng Lang
IBs: 6 on Comp Sci SL and Physics SL</p>

<p>Currently taking Calc III/Diff EQ through state college, if that counts for anything</p>

<p>Recs: Good but not outstanding</p>

<p>ECs: (FFFFFF)
Key Club (11 & 12) and Beta Club (10): 100+ hours of community service
Science Olympiad (11 & 12): Last year was my first year, medaled in all my events
Google "High"ly Open contest (10, only year offered): Initiative by Google to connect high school students with open source development projects, worked with Moodle software team on developing documentation
Have won 3 national video contests, prizes $4k+, including $500 donation to my school; aired on regional TV (9 through 11)</p>

<p>UNIQUE (or maybe):
I have three iPhone apps published on iTunes, downloaded/purchased over 20,000 times worldwide. I SHOULD have 5 by the time my apps are submitted, including an SAT prep app which should be really cool (dunno if I'll mention that specifically though?) [started over the past summer]</p>

<p>I can kill most essays, mainly using the above example and derivatives</p>

<p>Applying to (all CS or EECS):
Carnegie-Mellon
Stanford
Berkeley
Columbia
Cornell
MIT
UNC-Chapel Hill (resident)</p>

<p>Once again, I know my SAT scores blow and need to be upped by 150+ to be even remotely competitive.</p>

<p>PREDICTIONS: UNC is the only non high-reach.</p>

2

<p>Scores are the primary inhibiting factor.</p>

3

<p>I think good chance at MIT and Carnegie Mellon SCS because they will value all of your EC’s. Better scores will help, as will outstanding recs and great interviews.</p>

4

<p>Why not take the ACT? Some folks score materially higher on the ACT than the SAT.</p>

5

<p>I agree with pbr. Other than your scores and ECs you’re pretty unique. The iPhone apps thing is really cool and def. a strong hook. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Yeah your more unique than typical applicants. I think your passion for what you do will help you get in. And that is impressive on the Apps. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Some updates: got my Math II scores, received an 800. Getting upper 2100s on practice SATs, hopefully I can consistently break 2200 by next Saturday. The iPhone downloads should be raised to 50,000.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>