<p>I'm mostly posting this because I'm concerned about how I consider this school (high match, slight reach, reach), mostly because I really want to get in and be able to pay. Also, I posted another topic on scholarships, from which I've gathered that past stats it's extremely subjective and selective, so I'm gonna ask how good the financial aid is in general (I'd hate to get in and not be able to pay).</p>
<p>Bare essentials:
GPA: 3.73UW
Courseload: 5 APS this year, 8 APs and 9 Honors when I graduate
Rank: 49/526
SAT: 2300 comp. (770CR 780M 750W)
ACT: 31 (35M/35E/29R/25Sci and 33 essay/english)
SAT IIs: Pending, taking Chem, Math II, US History
AP Tests: US History: 4<br>
APLang. (english): 5
APCalculus: 4</p>
<p>ECs: Good, tons of hours, tons of awards, include debate/rotc/piano, some volunteer and summer work. Not crazy great but I've got a lot of commitment.
*and am a minority (NOT Asian)</p>
<p>I'm applying to the engineering school.</p>
<p>What are you, Murasaki?</p>
<p>I always thought you were Japanese.</p>
<p>You shouldn't have any problem getting in, and you are certainly competitive for scholarships.</p>
<p>Your numbers look very good. My son is also in ENGR. His ACT was higher than yours, but his SAT was lower. Your numbers are all in a good range. As we watched our current freshman class get accepted, we watched the numbers, and there were many below your numbers. I do have to add, none of us have ever been able to accurately state how much the Essays and Letters of Recommendation played a role. My son spent a lot of time, writing and re-writing the essay questions. He had 3 teachers at his high read them, and give input. He also made a point of planning things out with the Letters of Recommendation. For you: think ahead of time. Who will you be asking to write a Letter of Recommendation. (better be someone who will write a positive letter about you, and who knows you). Download the forms ahead of time. Prepare a stamped return envelope. Provide the Letter-writers plenty of advanced notice, and give them the forms as far ahead of time as possible, so that they are not rushed. I don't think that there have been many threads at all about the essays and letters of recommendation. They may play a bigger part than we all figure. Those who make it in, may assume that they easily made it in with their GPA, Test scores, etc. Those who squeek in with not-the-greatest numbers, maybe wrote awesome essays and/or had awesome letters of recommendation. It is a complete package that the University looks at, not just the numbers.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the approximations.</p>
<p>(And to answer your question, I'm African American . . . I know the username is quite misleading, but I like the Japanese culture a lot).</p>
<p>I'd say you have a good chance. If you keep your academic record up as strong as it is you should be fine. Colleges are really interested in recruiting talented minority engineers.</p>
<p>If you think you have a fair amount of musical ability you might want to consider making a CD of your piano playing as a supplement to your application.</p>
<p>If I were you I'd apply by the scholarship consideration date because I think you have a decent chance if you've got a well-written and intriguing essay as well as good recs.</p>