Rundown of my stats (Yes I know they are not normal CC stats)
GPA: 3.97
I don’t have any AP classes but that’s because I’m doing a dual enrollment program where I go to a college full time both for high school graduation and for my AA degree (which I will get before I graduate high school) Also I have taken hard classes like Calculus and engineering physics and I have a 3.95 college GPA
ACT: 27 Composite E: 31 M: 28 R: 23 S: 26 (Going to try to retake for a 28 or 29 since I averaged a 32 on the math section during practice tests but I have to focus on writing my essay and work and cross country so I won’t have too much time to study.I already studied for 3 months and got from a 24 to a 27).
I am a senior this year so I am super worried about colleges
President of Jewish student union
In a leadership program where we raise money, and do volunteer work.
Award for placing 100+ hours of community service.
Have about 200+ hours of volunteering in total
CCNA Certified (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
XC
Rec Soccer
JSA club
Bilingual (English and Russian)
4th place in Karate tournament out of 50 people
Doing Karate for 4 years and will get my black belt soon
Planning to apply as undeclared but probably interested in STEM
Schools:
Oh and yes I can afford OOS tuition
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (Already applied)
Pennsylvania State University - UP
University of Washington - Seattle (In state) (My backup school since they really like instate students)
Cornell University (I know it’s a reach but you never know)
Good for you that you’re doing Running Start. Awesome.
Have you visited any of these schools?
You seem to like big state schools. You express an interest in STEM majors, but will be applying undeclared. I don’t know if any of those schools would require you to apply to the major, if eng’g is a goal. Is it?
Yes I took the SAT and got a 1790. The ACT was easier for me and I think I can get that up easier. I want to study computer science but the problem is because of my scores I think I will easily be denied from engineering since most colleges averages are about a 32 ACT like U of Minnesota and UIUC. I would be interested in smaller private schools too. Just don’t know much about them. I just hope my 3.9 GPA at my college would look good the universities and they can see that the ACT doesn’t really show my capabilities. I will still try to retake it.
I’d like to suggest College of Charleston in Charleston SC. They have about 10,000 students . It’s a public LAC . My son is planning on pursuing a CS degree. Your standardized test scores should not hurt you for admission , but if you were to retake the ACT and get it up a little higher you may be eligible for their honors college and merit opportunities .They have quite a few students from all over the East Coast. There is a synagogue several blocks from campus, a Jewish student organization on campus and they are building a new dining hall that is kosher( if that is important to you) the CS department has excellent relationships with local tech companies like Google, Amazon, new tech start ups, and Boeing. Hope you find something that works out for you .
What importance are test scores when you are applying as a transfer student (not as a freshman)?
I would check into that and your best bet is likely a state school in your home state so they accept your community college credits. Graduate quickly and then get your masters where you want to go studying what you want to study.
@huskiesfan5818 jumping your ACT score up higher can be done during this first term of senior year of HS, but look to where you can back off some on your EC and if you can have a lighter academic schedule first term. Both my DDs raised their ACT during this critical time - but they made time in their schedules and had a goal number which meant automatic scholarship money. A few test taking tips are to not only work on your weaker ACT scores but also raise in your strong areas - this was critical for DD who then received Presidential scholarship on her last ACT test the school would take. Work on test timing. Look at the easy questions you seem to miss. Do a lot of practice test sections. If there is a test tutor in your area, a few sessions could pay off for you. She took the exam Sept, Oct and Dec. Her timing was off in Oct, but her score was higher in Sept and then went up 2 composite points in Dec.
You are a bit above average, but a stronger test score will help show it.
Based on your comment that you are Washington State resident, you are looking to venture into another area of the country with a preference to NE? I also am assuming you are perhaps wanting a more populous area? Sounds like you have been involved in your Jewish community and that may be important to you too.
Some of the large OOS flagships may not give you as good of an education in CS as you can get with something you may not have considered.
Look to more school safeties that meet your other criteria. For admission and for better fit. To also be able to complete the degree you are looking for.
UW-Madison is not accepting a lot of out of state students. Friend’s son with ACT 30 OOS was not accepted this year.
Also look to comments about having your CC credits be accepted.
You could very well shine during UG years if you go to the right school. Can always reach for a prestigious school for graduate work.
You’re def not am average student. Your GPAs are amazing and your test scores are above the national average. More than 200 pts above actually Seems like you would consider a Midwestern school. Have you looked at Iowa or Iowa St? Maybe even Indiana- Bloomington?
Clarkson? Was going to suggest Mi Tech, but you said Northeast so … If you’re willing to live where there’s a winter, embrace it with both mittens or none at all.
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What importance are test scores when you are applying as a transfer student (not as a freshman)?
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He probably isn’t applying as a transfer student. He’s a high school senior who is doing Running Start. High school students who are doing RS, DE or similar programs are still “incoming freshman” students. His test scores will likely count.
This is no different than the many students who come into college with 40+ college credits thru IB or AP. They are incoming frosh with upper-classmen status.
In most students’ cases, it’s better to apply as a frosh because FA, merit scholarships, and acceptances are better.
If they want the dual enrollment credits to count, then they are not a freshman. If they simply took the classes to demonstrate academic rigor and realize the colleges they are applying to will not consider those credits, then they are applying as a freshman.
You may wish it to be that way, but that’s not the way colleges look at it. Colleges make the rules, WE DON’T.
When a student takes college-level classes while in HS, but none after, he is an incoming frosh and his credits will count if the school accepts them (which many colleges do).
Both of my children (and millions of others) were accepted as incoming freshman with upper-classmen standing because of all of their credits earned while still in HS.
Nephew went to Iowa State in engineering - he took 5 years. Since his parents are divorced with shared custody, he could actually attend state schools in Iowa, MN or WI (WI/MN has ‘reciprocity’ with right paperwork for being in-state at both). Iowa or Iowa State may be a fit. I like MN for you too. Maybe Ohio schools…
@mom2coIIegekids - exactly the question is for out of state state schools – how will they view the running start kid from Washington State.
I am not sure - the rules in state are clearly defined - and to maximize credits, minimize time and cost - that could be the best route. Otherwise who knows what counts and whether they become a transfer…
I’ve already hired a tutor from when I studied for the ACT from february to june. (I went from a 23 to a 27). I am going to take the September test so I plan on doing two sections a day (One day Math and english, the other reading and science) to try to get it up to a 29 or 30. I still want to focus on my essay though but I know I can do both. Also, my friend got into UW madison last year and he had a 1850. He’s a WA resident.
Seems like you would consider a Midwestern school. Have you looked at Iowa or Iowa St? Maybe even Indiana- Bloomington?