<p>I looked up the pre-requisites for SCS. I thought that it was interesting that it required two years of chemistry. Why does SCS have this requirement when CIT and MCS don't? Can any student who is enrolled in SCS explain this to me? SCS is my dream school, but I think that Chemistry is dull (Physics ftw!). If I get accepted/end up attending the AP/EA program, should I take 09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry in order to receive (assuming that I pass) that second year? I'm also wondering if any student at SCS (or anyone who has any knowledge of SCS, actually CMU in general) would like to give me advice on what I should do in order to better my chances of getting into SCS. Here are some stats.</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<p>Race: Hispanic
Gender: Male
GPA (UW): 3.625 (expected 3.698)
Freshmen - 3.688
Sophomore - 3.375 (eek)
Junior - as of right now a 4.0 (probably going to maintain it)
Schedule: All Honors/AP's
Type of HS: Competitive public school. I believe that we rank top 10 nationally for passing rates on AP exams. We have block scheduling.
AP's: I haven't taken any exams yet, but I'm taking four AP's and self-studying one.
AP Computer Science A (expecting a 5. I'm taking it online), APUSH (expecting a 5), AP Calc AB (expecting a 5), AP English (expecting a 4-5, probably going to get a 4), AP Comparative Government and Politics (expecting a 5)
Expected Senior AP's: AP Gov/Econ (at my school we do AP US Gov, AP Macro, and AP Micro all in one), AP Calc BC, AP Stats (or AP Lit), and AP Physics C (at my school we do both Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism). If I don't go to AP/EA I'll have to squeeze AP Chem in there <em>sigh</em>
Rank: I would be filed under top 25%, but specifically it's top 14%
SAT I: 2240 Critical Reading: 720 (fml), Mathematics: 770 (fml), Writing: 750. I'll be retaking it in March.
SAT II: Math II: 800 (I'm taking Physics in April; expecting 700+)
EC's: Eagle Scout (and still heavily involved), Band for three years (orchestra next year, heavily involved), worked at a medical practice over the summer</p>
<p>I think you have a phenomenal shot. Your stats, and to a certain extent your EC’s, are pretty similar to what mine were, and your ethnicity should be a big boost. Try to bring out what attracts you to SCS in your application (or when you’re here over the summer!).</p>
<p>I’m not sure SCS requires two years of chemistry, so much as it requires a science course with a lab component. Chemistry is the obvious choice for this, but there is a physics lab you can do instead. I got out of all of my science courses with AP credit so I really can’t comment, but I hear the physics lab is a joke. </p>
<p>There are other options to satisfy this requirement, but i’m even less familiar with those</p>
<p>bco90 is correct about needing a science class with a lab component. However, the definition of what a science class can be is rather loose. You could take engineering classes to fulfill this requirement. For example, 18-100 (Intro to ECE) is considered a science class (with a 3 hour lab) that can qualify for the prereq.</p>
<p>My S went to Pre-college and took 18100 and then per Jacobo’s advice took a Humanities elective. He was going to take 123-- and I think Jacobo did him a favor-- since the curriculum changed and he already knew that class would no longer be required. In contrast his friends from pre-college took 127 and 211 – and 211 is no longer required.</p>
<p>Take what you would enjoy most!<br>
Beware the weeder course. If you get two As in pre-college-- you’re in for sure.
Two Cs you’re out for sure. (the were only 2 SCS applicants that year rejected - both got Cs in pre colllege classes)
And in the middle-- anyone’s guess.</p>
<p>APEA is free – Pre-college is not free-- so as a URM apply the correct route and strongly advice you talk to one of the adcoms focused on minority recruitment. Friend of S attended sleeping bag weekend as a junior (he’s a URM) and interviewed as a junior for APEA - and got in. See if it’s not to late to consider that option for January.</p>
<p>You dont’ need two years of chem – but you do need AP Physics C to be a strong contender.</p>