Please advice a junior!

[Watson_amp_Crick]

<p>Hi, I’m a junior interested in Carnegie Mellon engineering programs, and I wondered how to maximize my chances by senior yr.</p>

<p>Here are my prospective stats by senior yr: </p>

<p>4.0 UW, 4.35W, top 25% at competitive public HS
2100+ SAT
a few 750+ SATiis.
6 AP tests (2 5s already)/4 AP courses
Close to NO ECs!! (perhaps 50-100 hrs volunteering, some science/math competition, a JV sport, but no leadership or other national awards)</p>

<p>What is the best way to maximize my chances by next yr?</p>

<li>Get 2300+ or 33+ on the SAT/ACT and a few ECs (but no national/ground breaking stuff though)</li>
<li>Study a college physics course during the summer and a few ECs.</li>
<li>Do some internships, research or more science competitions as well as more significant ECs</li>
</ol>

<p>I wish I could do all 3 options, but they are mutually exclusive.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading. I am impatient to read your opinion/advices!!!</p>

<p>-Watson&Crick</p>

[mathmom]

<p>My inclination is 3 or 2. What's your SAT breakdown? I assume your math score is higher than the other two? I'm guessing your scores are good enough and won't make or break the application.</p>

<p>For what it's worth, my son had this for ECs:</p>

<p>Academic Team (all 4 years) - some local wins</p>

<p>Science Olympiad (all 4 years) - the only one on the team to win medals at States all four years. </p>

<p>Latin Honor Society - did nothing</p>

<p>Computer Programming - freelance work for a software company</p>

<p>Computer Programming - wrote a program that was cited in several chemistry journals</p>

<p>Computer Programming - was the lead programmer for the most popular mod to the Civ 4 game.</p>

<p>That's it. I think it's fine to have a few ECs that show a common interest.</p>