I am looking to apply Regular Decision to Stanford University (as well as other selective universities) for the computer science major. However, I only have one subject test in Math 2, which I got an 800 on. Should I spend the month of November studying for the physics subject test? Or should I spend that time working on Stanford’s essays? Would sending only one subject test raise any doubts/hurt me in any way? I go to a school that sends maybe 2-3 students to competitive schools and very few take the subject tests…
For reference, here are my academics:
SAT I (breakdown): 1560 (800 math; 760 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing)
SAT II: 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.22
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/451
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): 7 Math studies; 6 Spanish SL
Senior Year Course Load: Calculus 2, IB Modern World, IB English 12, Advanced Business Procedures, IB Physics 2, IB Economics, IB Theory of Knowledge
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): A few state-level awards for speech & debate and FBLA
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
(President) of MUN
(President) of Speech & Debate
Youth Council
Math Club/Mu Alpha Theta
FBLA
Job/Work Experience:
Did a pretty significant paid research internship at local aerospace company that involved pioneering algorithms/formulas
Volunteer/Community service:
Local college volunteering (200 hours)
Youth Council Volunteering (50 hours)
Letters of rec:
1 from math, English, and mentor from internship
I’m a pretty good essay writer.
I’m also a white male from Oregon.
Thanks in advance.
My son only took Math II. He is in class 2022.
You need to dig into what S asks for and make best decisions. Though they say subject tests are optional, you’ll face vast competition that took two. In general, for colleges that want more than just stats, they will look for both depth in your interest area and breadth. The more you learn about what they value and look for, the better you can make your own self presentation in the app and supp.
@SCMHAALUM Did he submit that to Stanford? Did your son have similar credentials to mine, or significantly better? Thanks.
@lookingforward Computer science, but Stanford admits to the school, not the major, from what I’ve learned.
Nonetheless, they review in terms of the possible major you state and your prep/readiness for that. That’s both academics and ECs. At the same time, they like depth and breadth. Any math-sci activities you omitted here, thinking they may not count?
@lookingforward The research internship involved pioneering a mathematical algorithm using linear algebra and matlab. I set the foundation for a technology that will save airliners thousands of dollars.
I participated in FRC robotics freshman year, but it was discontinued my sophomore year because no teacher wanted to supervise it (our school has very bad CS teachers).
I know some programming languages, but not sure if that’s an EC.
Yes 1540/3.95UW/4.7W or so. 8-10AP’s most 5’s and a couple of 4’s. He is a passionate dancer. Agree with @curiouspenguin you can choose whatever major if you are admitted. My son is in human bio.
Choosing any major comes after admission. That’s the first hurdle. Tippy top colleges look for strengths in the possible major you note. It’s partly an institutional need, partly to follow an applicant’s thinking/choices, and the hopes kids can hit the ground running. CS isn’t easy at S.
No not easy. My son has programming work experience and is saying the CS class he is taking is hard and there are many outstanding freshman.