Student mid GPA chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am a senior at the top math and science school in Delaware. I had a low GPA my freshman year of 2.7, but Sophmore year 3.53, and Junior year 3.9. This year so far it's around 4.2. Up through Junior year my cumulative GPA is 3.4. I am taking almost all honors/ap's, except english I am one level below. I took AP Computer Science last year, and am taking AP Calculus AB, and AP French this year. I am a teacher's assistant in Computer Science this year and plan to major in Computer Science. My school does not rank due to how competitive it is but my class has 220 students in it. I wrote what I think is a very good essay(on growth), and my teacher's agree. I also have strong rec. letter's from my computer science teacher, English teacher, and Cross-Country coach/ current english teacher.
SAT:
Math: 710
Verbal: 600</p>

<p>SAT II: I will be taking these in December in Math IIc, Writing, and Chemistry. I took practice test's and should be over 700 on all of them.</p>

<p>My Extra Curriculars:
Cross-Country 9-12
Outdoor Track and Field 9-12
Boy Scouts 9-11: I was the Senior Patrol Leader, the highest leadership position you can have.
I Worked on a Senators campaign twice.
Made the annual newsletter for a state representative.
I have helped out at reading assisst, about 15 hours.
I have done a lot of community service through boy scouts but it was not on a single project. (I was elected to the Order of the Arrow in Scouting, a group of elite scouts dedicated to service, and you must be voted in by a majority, be approved by the scoutmaster, and have a minumum rank and age)
In 10th grade I won first place in engineering at my school science fair(about 250 compete)
I was awarded a Rising Star Award for Science FairNot to many people get them each year at my school)
I placed third in Engineering in the county Science Fair
I went to the regional science fair sponsored by Intel, but did not place.(It was only the top three per grade)
I have had a part-time job at Sears as a cashier since eleventh grade(about 20 hours a week during the school year, and 35 during the summer)
I have played guitar 9-12 (all on my own)</p>

<p>I am a white catholic, and the school I really want to got to is the University of Notre Dame.
Also on my list:
Carnegie Mellon
Cornell University
Boston College
University of Pittsburgh
University of Delaware(pretty much guaranteed since I am In-State and do to my high school's reputation(170 out of 190 who applied in my class of 220 were accepted)
Virginia Tech</p>

<p>Any advice on my chances at these schools or other university's I should look at?</p>

2

<p>" I had a low GPA my freshman year of 2.7, but Sophmore year 3.53, and Junior year 3.9. This year so far it's around 4.2. Up through Junior year my cumulative GPA is 3.4."</p>

<p>I want to know about this too. Is an improving trend (due to certain circumstances that you cannot have a perfect GPA in freshman year) a positive thing to have, at least almost as good as a perfect GPA?</p>

3

<p>I think you have a chance for Carnegie mellon. I am applying to CMU and Cornell with about the same stats as you.</p>

4

<p>My Computer Science teacher is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon, and wrote my rec letter</p>

5

<p>Having a low GPA in any year is not a "good" thing per se, but if you had to pick a year in which to have low grades, freshman year would be it. In the long run freshman grades dont matter to much in the college admissions process, it's mostly sophomore and junior years that count. I'd say you have a decent shot at all your schools, with the exception of Cornell and maybe CMU, due to your test scores. It's going to come down to essays and letters of rec, if their really good, then Cornell just might let you in if not, your chances aren't so great. A big part of the admissions game is selling yourself to the colleges, if you can do that well then your chances are better than most. Good Luck.</p>

6

<p>anyone else?</p>

7

<p>I think that Cornell and Notre Dame are more reaches than matches but still reasonable(make sense?). I would assume that those GPAs are weighted... a 3.4 weighted is not that great and is a factor I would be concerned about. (if unweighted, disregard) Also, without knowing the true rep. of your school and the specifics of the classes you're taking it makes it difficult to predict, but from what I see your course load is lacking somewhat. (you only mention 3 APs)</p>

<p>Norte Dame- test scores okay, but gpa and course load may hurt, not out of picture, IMO
Carnegie Mellon- decent chance, certainly not a "shoe in" though
Cornell University- same as CM
Boston College- good
University of Pittsburgh- in
University of Delaware-in
Virginia Tech-in</p>

<p>I know kids that have gotten into the last four with significantly lower SATs but significantly high GPAs and course loads... it just depends on how they view those.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>