What are my chances at UC's, Stanford, Harvey Mudd etc.? Thanks so much!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey just trying to get an objective opinion on my expectations for these applications

Stanford University (EA)
Brown University (Legacy)
Cornell University (Engineering)
UC Berkeley (Engineering)
UC Los Angeles (Engineering, Physics as Alt. Major)
UC Santa Barbara (Engineering, Physics as Alt. Major)
UC San Diego (Engineering, Physics as Alt. Major)
UC Davis (Engineering)
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Harvey Mudd College
Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo (Engineering)
(California Resident)

Majoring in Civil or Mechanical Engineering

GPA: 3.88/4.3W
Rank: (9/275)

Current Senior Year Classes: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics C Mechanics, AP Literature and Composition, Engineering and Technology Design 2, Economics

ACT: 34 (W34, M33, R34, S33)

APs: Environmental Science(5), US History(5), Lang/Comp(5)

SAT II: Physics: 800, Math II: 740

(Self-studied AP Environmental Science and half of Physics Subject Test. Are colleges impressed by this?)

Enrolled at school’s Physics and Engineering Academy: Two-year program including a specific set of physics and engineering courses centered around a project-based curriculum. I use CAD design software, 3D printing, laser cutting, and workshop fabrication tools to design and fabricate engineering projects.

EC:
Cross Country (Captain)
Track (Captain)
Ultimate Frisbee Club (Captain and founder)
Amigos de Las Americas: 2 month service project living with host family in Costa Rica
Park Service Internship
Sunday School Teacher
Outward Bound
Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble

Thanks so much for your time. Let me know what you guys think I should expect.

2

UC GPA? https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Post weighted capped and fully weighted UC GPA’s.

3

@Gumbymom
UC GPA:
Unweighted GPA: 3.90
Weighted GPA: 4.29
Weighted and Capped GPA: 4.29
Thanks!

4

You look like a competitive applicant. Your weighted GPA is within range for UCLA/UCB but Engineering will be tough for these schools.

Stanford is a Reach for all applicants.

SLO/UCD/UCSB/UCSD: Match
UCLA/UCB: High Match
Harvey Mudd: Low Reach (due to selectivity)

Brown/Cornell: Reach but competitive applicant

Olin?

Good Luck and make sure you have one safety school on your list.

5

@Gumbymom Thank you! Do you have any advice for choosing a safety school? I kind of thought that Davis and SLO would be safeties. Would University of Portland or Valparaiso be a safety?

6

Although your stats are very competitive, the mid-tier UC’s can be unpredictable for Engineering majors along with SLO so UC Davis/SLO would not be safeties, definitely solid Match schools. I would consider Cal Poly Pomona, CSULB, SDSU or UCR as safeties. I do not much about Univ of Portland or Valparaiso so I cannot comment.

7

For Olin you are in the running, but it is so competitive, especially for males that it’s always a reach for anyone. Are you a URM? Your ECs are interesting so that could be a selling point. Your musical experience could also be a discussion point as Olin has its own conductorless orchestra that many students play in.

8

Thank you @Gumbymom and @NoVADad99.
No I am not a URM btw

9

Have you reached out to the Olin admission office? I know they are currently conducting a series of interviews with prospective applicants, many of them in California. I will be helping with one tonight in DC.

10

@NoVADad99 Yes, I interviewed with Duncan Murdoch (Maybe you know him?)
Do you have any other tips for what I should do?

11

@ElyStuart10 No I don’t know him. All you can do now is to submit a good application and wait until the invitations for Candidate Weekend go out after the New Year.