Venturing into the great unknown... Chances at MIT/RPI/Cornell?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Please help me! I’m weak in GPA and extracurriculars, and I’m looking at some top schools. I’ve never won anything, never even competed for anything. Sadly, much of my time is spent studying. I hope that I can gain some insight into my chances, applying as an engineering student. Any tips, like, regarding the interview? Anything I can do to improve? I’m crossing my fingers about teacher recommendations…</p>

<p>Student:</p>

<p>User Name: madeofstars
Gender: F
Race: Asian/White
Location: Massachusetts
College Class Year: 2016
High School: Public
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Weighted: 4.19
Class Size: about 490</p>

<p>Honors/AP Courses: highest level offered in every class, every year, including AP US History, AP Chemistry, and AP Computer Science A (scores not yet known)</p>

<p>Senior Course Load: H/AP Physics, H/AP English, H/AP Psychology, H/AP Calculus AB, Computer Science Teaching Assistant, Band</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 770
SAT I Critical Reading: 800
SAT I Writing: 780
SAT II U.S. History: 740
SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 790
SAT II Biology - E: 750
SAT II Chemistry: 760</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: Science Team (Regional Science Olympiad)
Weekly tutoring for immigrants who are non-native English speakers
Band- Marching & Concert
Volunteer/Service Work: Yes, have done community service, like the tutoring (but that really doesn't matter)
Honors and Awards: NHS</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest:</p>

<p>Brandeis University
Bucknell University
Carnegie Mellon University
Harvey Mudd College
Lehigh University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, ED/EA: Yes
Cornell University, Legacy: Yes
Tufts University
University of Washington at St. Louis</p>

<p>... It's not necessary to chance all of these, but try the ones you are familiar with (hopefully some of which will the the shot-in-the-dark ones, or so it seems to me!)</p>

<p>Thank you so much!</p>

2

<p>Your SATs are great even for MIT but the admit rate there is <10% so still a reach for anyone. As you said you could use some more ECs. I think you’re fine for RPI, CMU and probably Cornell. All three of those are fantastic options if you don’t make MIT. </p>

<p>Tufts and Mudd are also very competitive but I’d say in if I had to bet on it.</p>