YO! Chance me? UC's, Brown, Cornell, U Wash, U Penn, etc! (I'll chance back)

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey guys! I'm a rising senior currently looking at colleges. The thing is, I want to study computer science but my resume doesn't really have any science/math related EC's. Will that hurt my chances? I'd really appreciate anyone's input.</p>

<p>I'm an Asian female and a rising senior from California. No hooks.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.89 unweighted, 4.42 weighted, 4.19 UC GPA
Rank: School doesn't rank, but at least top 9%</p>

<p>SAT 1: 2210 single sitting: 790 writing, 730 math and 690 CR. First time was 1940.
Sat 2: Math 2 (680) and Spanish (670). Ugh.... bad I know but I'm retaking them this fall.</p>

<p>AP: All 5's: Music Theory, Calc AB, Enviro Sci
Senior year AP's: Calc BC, English Lang & Comp, & Computer Science next year.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
- Anti-human trafficking club (9-12), President (10-12)
- Internship with anti-human trafficking nonprofit organization (11-12)
- Piano student (kindergarten - 12), ABRSM level 8
- Piano teacher (11-12)
- Girl Scout (kindergarten - 12), currently working on Gold Award
- HS newspaper (11-12), cartoonist (11), head graphics manager (12)
- Cashier/server at ice cream shop (10-12)
- Interact Club (9-12)
- Academic Decathlon (9-12)
- Model UN (9-10) // I only did 2 years... should I bother putting this on my app?
Total Volunteer hours: 250+</p>

<p>Awards:
- Girl Scout silver award, currently working on my gold award project.
- Quill & Scroll International Writing and Photo Sweepstakes Winner for Illustration (1st)
- a couple regional art awards
- AGATE - school's "gifted and talented" program (dunno if I should put this on my app? it was a 3 month program with a big project at the end but that was it)
- CSF life member (9-12) </p>

<p>Colleges I'm looking at (still narrowing down my list):
- UC's: Berkeley, LA, Davis, San Diego
- Boston U
- George Washington U
- Tufts
- Johns Hopkins
- Brown
- Columbia
- Northeastern
- NYU
- U of Washington - Seattle
- U of Texas - Austin
- U Penn
- U Chicago
- Brandeis
- USC</p>

<p>Please brutally honest-- criticize all you want! Any input is appreciated. Link me your thread and I'll chance back! </p>

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<ul>
<li>UC’s: Berkeley, -mid reach
LA, (low-mid reach)
Davis, match
San Diego match</li>
<li>Boston U- match-high match</li>
<li>Johns Hopkins mid reach</li>
<li>Brown-mid reach</li>
<li>Columbia-high reach</li>
<li>NYU-match</li>
<li>U of Washington - Seattle-low match</li>
<li>U of Texas - Austin-match</li>
<li>U Penn-low/mid reach</li>
<li>U Chicago-low reach</li>
<li>USC-high match</li>
</ul>

<p>Your GPA is really good. And the fact that you took a bunch of AP’s corroborates this fact. Your SAT is fine you’re in the safety zone. Your Ec’s can use one more impressive thing but so far they are pretty good. Honestly you will have a very good shot overall at your colleges. Comp sci is very competitive and so many people with amazing stats will apply so that will hurt you. However, being a female comp sci applicant will help you out so much. I’m not being sexist its just true. Your UC GPA is pretty low for LA and UCB but you have a heavy courseload so it should be fine. </p>

<p>Chance me back please!</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672667-please-chance-an-asian-legacy-ed-wharton-app.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672667-please-chance-an-asian-legacy-ed-wharton-app.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Okay, we are all eager to get into top tier universities…let me give a little feedback. Please don’t take any of this the wrong way. I idealize a world, where this sort of admissions race didn’t exist anyways -_-</p>

<p>1) Play any sports? Ever take any any math/science special tests, like Physics Bowl, AMC, or even ISEF?
2) Include some info about how many AP courses your school offers. Mine offers a decent amount (living on LI) - AP World, USH, Gov and Politics, Physics B, Bio, Chem, Art Hist, Studio Art, Cal AB/BC, Comp Sci, Eng Lang, Eng Lit, Psych, Spanish Lang, Environmental, Stats. So that is 16 APs. You’re school may offer less or more, and knowing how many you took/ how many it does is important.
3) Your ECs are great. So don’t worry about that. Your job experience you mentioned will only help you. Shows a responsible young adult.
4) I would say don’t list clubs in which you didn’t participate in fully, especially ones you dropped out of, instead of joined later on and stuck with (meaning doing something 10, 11, 12 or 11, 12 is better than 9,10)
5) Try to beef up your app by focusing on your essay. I mean in the limited time before apps, there isn’t much you can do besides retake a standardized test and focus on essay…
6) Make sure your recommendations are from math/science teachers, since you’re going into comp sci.</p>

<p>So enough advice.</p>

<p>Here are the chances, from 1 (very very unlikely), 2(very high reach), 3 (reach), 4 (mid reach), 5 (high target, low reach), 6(target) 7 (low target) 10 (safest safety). Keep note that you’re shooting for top tier schools with many of these, so don’t expect any 10s.</p>

<p>1) UC-Berkeley 5
2) LA - 6
3) San Diego - 7
4) Davis - 7</p>

<p>5) BU 7
6) JHU 4
7) Brown, Columbia, UPenn 3
8) NYU 8
9) Univeristy of Washington, Texas 8
10) University of Chiacgo 3-4
11) USC 6</p>

<p>Chance me back please…
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672492-chances-at-cornell-ed-columbia-ed-mit.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672492-chances-at-cornell-ed-columbia-ed-mit.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Wow-- thanks so so much for the detailed input, guys! It really helps a lot, especially with narrowing down my college list. I’ll chance y’all back for sure. </p>

<p>@lb43823 -

  1. Nope, no sports, no special math/science tests. I do academic decathlon which involves math and science, but that probably doesn’t really count.
  2. My school offers 13 APS, so I’ll have 6/13, is that good or bad? AP Comp Sci is a new class next year. Also, if I took Spanish for the past 3 years, does it look bad that I’m not continuing onto AP Spanish? I wanted to but I had scheduling conflicts.
  3. Oh man, I didn’t think about that part. Would asking my math teacher and my English teacher be alright? I have the best relationships with my English and my Spanish teachers but I feel like asking them both wouldn’t look very good as a comp sci major. </p>
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<p>Thanks for chancing me :)</p>

<p>-Johns Hopkins = mid reach
-Brown = mid reach
-Columbia = high reach
-U Chicago = low reach
-USC = high match
-Penn = mid reach
-Cal = mid reach
-LA = low reach
-Davis = low match
-SD = match
-UDub = high safety/match
-Don’t know enough for Boston University, NYU, University of Texas</p>

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<p>-Berkeley: mid reach

  • Boston U: match
  • George Washington U: match
  • Tufts: match
  • Johns Hopkins: low reach
  • Brown: high reach
  • Columbia: high reach
  • Northeastern: match
  • NYU: match
  • U Penn: high reach
  • U Chicago: high reach</p>

<p>Can’t speak for all of them, but you have great chances. Definitely get your recs from science/math teachers. Great extra curriculars. Test scores are solid. To get into the Ivy League you need really interesting and creative essays so spend a lot of time working on those! </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Your sat scores are fantastic!
Seeing that you live in California will definitely help you get into the UC’s, just write good essays.
I think you’re a fair candidate for most of these schools. I understand about your subject tests, I basically got those same scores.
The colleges I think that would be a bit of a reach are UPENN, Columbia, JHU, Tufts, Brown, USC, and U Chicago because they’re all top schools and have a lot of well qualified applicants.
Good luck with the college process! I feel ya girl! </p>

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<p>Have you looked at all into Carnegie Mellon? They have a very good computer science program, or so I’ve been told, and I’d say you’re probably a match for them. Honestly, I’d say all the Ivies are reaches for everyone. When the acceptance rate is below 10%, it’s hard to say you’ll definitely get in or not! As long as your essays are strong, I think you have a pretty good chance based on your ECs and test scores! </p>

<ul>
<li>UC’s: Berkeley, LA, Davis, San Diego - I’d say the UCs are all on target for you, based on your CA residency</li>
<li>Boston U - match</li>
<li>George Washington U - match</li>
<li>Tufts - match</li>
<li>Johns Hopkins - ehh, reach. Probably lower side.</li>
<li>Brown - reach</li>
<li>Columbia - high reach</li>
<li>Northeastern - match</li>
<li>NYU - reach</li>
<li>U of Washington - Seattle - match</li>
<li>U of Texas - Austin - I don’t know anything about Texas</li>
<li>U Penn - reach</li>
<li>U Chicago - high reach</li>
<li>Brandeis - I don’t really know enough to say</li>
<li>USC - low reach</li>
</ul>

<p>Chance me back?
<a href=“Notre Dame (and others)? New to CC, help me? <3 - #4 by natzatz - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>Notre Dame (and others)? New to CC, help me? <3 - #4 by natzatz - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums;

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<p>-Berkeley: mid reach

  • Boston U: match
  • George Washington U: match
  • Tufts: match
  • Johns Hopkins: low reach
  • Brown: high reach
  • Columbia: high reach
  • Northeastern: match
  • NYU: match
  • U Penn: high reach
  • U Chicago: high reach
  • UoT- match
    SAT scores: awesome…being a californian…definitely getting into one of the UCs.</p>

<p>chance me back :- <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672787-transfer-to-a-us-university.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672787-transfer-to-a-us-university.html#latest&lt;/a&gt; </p>

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<p>Thank you so much for all the suggestions/advice guys! I was going to apply to CMU, but I haven’t taken a science subject test. Not sure what to do about that. I would really like to give it a shot and apply to their comp sci program though-- perhaps I’ll take the ACT to make up for the subject tests? Not sure.</p>

<p>@RubyCH @Roshan97 Just chanced both of you guys back :)</p>

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<p>Imo, you will make all the UCs, Cornell, and U Wash, waitlist at Brown/Penn and better. Your GPA/SAT are weak for the ivy league, so you will need to have 10/10 essays. </p>

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<p>@lumilie‌ Hey thanks for chancing me! As a response to your question about recs, </p>

<p>I mean yeah that should be fine. As long as the math one knows you well enough. I think actually…(if I am not mistaken, correct me if I am wrong, anybody else) you NEED one of the two humanities rec, at least for the liberal arts Ivies for sure. </p>

<p>As for the APs, that is okay. You DO have computer science, which shows developing interest in this field. And no it doesn’t look bad! AP Spanish is a hard class, I know people from my school that haven’t taken it and still gotten into Ivies…sucks due to scheduling issues. Same thing happened to me this year…had to give up a few things…like AP Psych and have 2 take sci research after school.
Let’s bully our counselors together!!! :P</p>

<p>Few more questions, bc I really wanna help you (since you helped me! :P)</p>

<p>1) Why computer science? Please tell me it’s not because you don’t know what to do yet, and are picking that as a safety. </p>

<p>2) Are you taking a science SAT II? That is crucial for application to many of these schools. Biology, Physics, or Chem. Take one, it shall help you. I would say prioritize that over Spanish.</p>

<p>3) You seem artistic, and NOT in the stereotypical Asian piano/violin player (like me, even tho I am Indian, and suck at BOTH!) :P. These liberal arts colleges die for those people. Exploit it. Everywhere.</p>

<p>4) Do you have any good ideas for college essays? I am not asking you to share (you can if you want), but I am just wondering if you have any ideas that make you special? If you are confident with your idea, that shall only help.</p>

<p>5) When I see computer science, it screams Carnegie Mellon to me, as someone above me pointed out. You should consider that! And make sure that all of these schools are good for your major. Here is something interesting. Harvard, Yale, and Princeton all have undergraduate engineering programs that are not as good as Cornell’s (MITs is the best, in my opinion), so just because HYP is more reputed than Cornell, I would suggest that one go to Cornell if that is what they want. Have you considered any lesser reputed schools that have outstanding engineering/comp sci programs? University of Michigan, Ann Arbor comes to mind (look it up, it is pretty matchy too for you)</p>

<p>6) Have you considered early decision/early action? See this thread I posted about myself. I think it’s interesting and explains what I mean pretty well. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1673626-ivy-league-early-eds.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1673626-ivy-league-early-eds.html#latest&lt;/a&gt; This also brings me to my next point. Even if you aren’t willing to go ED, still go EA to UChic and UMich Ann Arbor. It can’t hurt. If you get in, you can be excited earlier and be less stressed when it comes to RD time (in fact, you could even get rid of all safeties but one - in case of financial troubles - at that point).</p>

<p>7) Try to learn some coding over the summer. I can recommend some websites, and if you have any questions you can ask me. Just contact me on CC. I am proficient in Java, R (stats lang), Python, ActionScript (no one uses Flash anymore, quite a shame), HTML and CSS (not really coding, but website design is pretty cools), and if need be some Objective C (but I’d rather not :D)</p>

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<p>Yes, it will hurt your chances! You need EC’s that correlate with your major. Your EC’s are somewhat mixed, so I think you should either work more on the ones you have passion for, or find more activities that reflect your intended major.
Your GPA is decent and so is your SAT. (Nice increase though!), but they are a little low for Ivy leagues. You should retake your SAT 2’s for sure.
If you’re in CA, you have an easier chance of getting into USC & UCs.
(I’m only doing the ones I know more about)
UCLA- low reach, Davis- match, Berkeley- mid-reach, UCSD- match
John Hopkins- low reach
Brown- reach
Columbia- reach
UPenn- reach
NYU- low reach
Good luck!
Chance me back please? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672761-chance-me-for-stanford-university.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1672761-chance-me-for-stanford-university.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>@lb43823 - You, my friend, are a tremendous help. Seriously. I have no words. You are awesome. HUGE huge huge thank you! </p>

<p>1) Hahaha no no it’s not a safety, I’m genuinely interested in computer science (although I’ve just recently started to doubt myself…Gahhh!!) Generally, I feel like I’m more inclined towards art and English instead of STEM related subjects. But I’m interested in it because of its creative flexibility-- there’s so many possibilities and so many things you could make with coding skills (almost like another art medium! … although that might be a bit of a stretch though :P)</p>

<p>2) Unfortunately, no SAT II science-related subject test-- not taking physics during my junior year was a huge mistake, one that I only realized a month ago. I took bio and chem much too long ago to perform well on a test. I’m actually at a loss for what to do-- I’ve only recently realized how important physics is to computer science! I’ll probably have to contact my counselor again and switch out one of next year’s classes for physics-- that should help, right?</p>

<p>3) Actually, in fact, I do indeed fit the Asian piano/violin playing stereotype haha! I do piano and I attempted to to play violin except I was absolutely terrible. I still shiver just thinking about it :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>4) Nope, I honestly have no idea what I’m going to write about. I have a list of ideas but nothing really stands out yet. </p>

<p>5) Hey, thanks for the tip! I looked up U Mich Ann Arbor and it sounds like a really interesting school actually-- and it pretty much fits almost all the criteria I want in a school. I think I’m gonna apply!
In fact I did consider Carnegie Mellon, but after a lot of research I came to the conclusion that it was extremely selective. I figured I’d have close to zero chance of getting into CMU’s comp sci program and HYPS because my stats are on the lower end, so I don’t think I’m gonna even bother applying.</p>

<p>6) Good idea, I will definitely apply early action to all the schools that have it. I’m still considering applying ED to Brown-- I love the school, and it’s definitely my top choice out of all the schools, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford it without a decent amount of aid. :-S </p>

<p>7) Woah, you know quite a lot of programming languages! What websites do you use to teach yourself? It would be really great if you could recommend some self-studying resources :smiley:
I recently started using one called codeacademy.com to teach myself Python and HTML/CSS and so far I really like it. There’s also another called projecteuler.net that has a lot of math/computer programming puzzles (you need prior coding knowledge to do them though, so I’m trying to zoom through the Python basics so I can try it out). </p>

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<p>@lumilie‌ </p>

<p>1) No no, you are right. As you will soon see, computer science (after learning the coding syntax) is largely reduced to logic and reasoning - an ability which should apply anywhere in life. And plus, computer science is kinda everywhere. It is a booming field, and knowing code is crucial nowadays, it definitely gives one an edge in job applications.Coding is like an art, no doubt. Code can be ugly and hard to navigate, or it can be simplistic and beautiful. So as long as you are slowly appreciating coding, I would say go for comp sci major. And also, don’t worry, because, when you apply to some of these schools (Columbia SEAS, I will use as an example), you don’t necessareily have to select a major right away. Just know that you will be limited to math/sci/engineering majors if you get in and decide to go. And another thing, it is a little difficult as per job opportunities in arts/humanities. But, don’t worry, because things like the Columbia Core can be seen positively bc it gives you a chance to explore arts/humanities as well! And maintaining interest is good. (Sorry for my use of only Columbia, it is bc I live on LI and know the most out of any schools you listed about Columbia)</p>

<p>2) So I am sure you are a smart cookie :slight_smile: I think you should be able to do well on these tests without taking a class. Just buy a review book, or get one from the library. I REALLY REALLY think you should take a subject test. The scale on these tests is pretty darn generous too, it shouldnt be too hard. I have a friend (who is smart, but I would say you are “smarter”, based on SATs and GPA and other such annoying measures of intelligence :P) who took it without taking AP Bio and got a 760.</p>

<p>3) I shiver too. I sounded like a dying cat. Why is it so hard?</p>

<p>4) Same here.</p>

<p>5) Yeah I think UMich Ann Arbor has early action, so if you have 75-100 to spare for an extra app, I think it is worth it. With a 30+ acceptance rate, that’s pretty good. Another one, for your one interest is University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign.</p>

<p>6) Don’t worry about aid. Brown should give you enough. If they don’t contact admissions and explain your situ (how you won’t be able to attend ED with no aid/little aid), and they should be understanding (let you exit ED binding, or give more aid). And what do you like so much about Brown? I want to understand since I know nothing about Brown. I was considering ED’ing there, and it seems like a good school too.</p>

<p>7) Yeah I learned a while ago, so I learned from a book old-school style :smiley: (Java). R, I picked up at my research internships by myself. <a href=“10 places where anyone can learn to code | TED Blog”>http://blog.ted.com/2013/01/29/10-places-where-anyone-can-learn-to-code/&lt;/a&gt; A quick google search brings this up, but there are some resources I used on here (and some I found interesting when surfing the site - like the one for females only)</p>

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<ul>
<li>UC’s: Berkeley Low Reach Davis Match UCLA High Match</li>
<li>Boston U Low Match/Match</li>
<li>George Washington U High Match/LowReach</li>
<li>Tufts High Match</li>
<li>Johns Hopkins Low Reach</li>
<li>Brown Reach</li>
<li>Columbia High Reach</li>
<li>Northeastern Match</li>
<li>NYU High Match</li>
<li>U of Washington - Seattle Safety</li>
<li>U of Texas - Austin Safety</li>
<li>U Penn High Match</li>
<li>U Chicago Reach</li>
<li>Brandeis Match</li>
<li>USC I don’t know enough to Say</li>
</ul>

<p>I think you have great SATs and ECs. Maybe retake SAT II. If you’re in CA then your chances are all greatly increased. I think for anyone, no matter SAT and all, any Ivy League is a Reach. If you increased your SAT II You should have a better chance though! Good Luck!</p>

<p>If you have time I would appreciate a Chance back!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1673688-chance-me.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1673688-chance-me.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>@lb43823‌ </p>

<p>1) Yes, exactly, coding is an art with boundless opportunities! And an incredibly fascinating one, too-- despite the complex explanation behind its mechanics, I still refuse to call it anything other than pure magic. :smiley:
Hmm true… you are right. Not sure if I should do that and limit my options to math/science majors in case I decide to go back to the humanities. What I am considering as an alternative is to strive towards a BA in computer science instead of a BS (in Columbia’s case, that means I’d apply to CC instead of SEAS…I think?). That way I could more easily pursue a computer science-focused education while still having the ability to dabble in other subjects. What I wonder, though, is which degree would be more valuable in the long run: a BA, which has greater breadth, or a BS, which has greater technical focus? </p>

<p>2) Hmm, well you do certainly make a strong argument… that’s not a bad idea actually! It sounds fairly doable, especially with 2 months to study. Biology E sounds enticing since I took environmental science… I think I’ll give it a shot! Wow, I feel like this conversation has helped me do more decision-making than I have this whole summer. Thanks so much man, I can’t stress that enough.</p>

<p>3) I feel your pain-- glad to hear I’m not the only one. Dying cat noises is quite accurate actually. Sometimes, it just wasn’t meant to be.</p>

<p>5) Oh you’re right-- man, UIUC looks good too, and it seems that they have a highly distinguished computer science program! So many colleges, so hard to choose ahhh. :open_mouth: </p>

<p>6) The thing that attracts me the most (and probably the same with most other Brown applicants) is the open curriculum, which gives you so many more options, based on your own interests, to satiate any intellectual curiosities without constraints. That way, your schedule can go anywhere from being super focused with all computer science/math classes, or all over the place (which is probably what I’d end up doing :P). They focus on undergraduate studies and you can also take art classes at RISD. Providence seems to be an ideal location too-- a medium-sized city situated near Boston and NYC, with a thriving arts/cultural scene.
But, to be honest, I haven’t even visited Brown yet (let alone <em>any</em> place on the east coast) so I have no idea what it’s really like, besides their website. So I guess what I’m saying doesn’t actually count, does it? But I’m planning to visit the east coast in 2 weeks (first time woo!) to look at a handful of colleges, so I could probably answer your question better then. :)</p>

<p>7) Woah, you learned Java from a book?! Woah. Just wondering–do you find it easier to pick up other programming languages after learning your first one?
Thanks for the link-- as it turns out, I’m already using the first resource they listed :smiley: </p>

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<p>@Abbybee23 Thanks for the reply! Just finished chancing you back :)</p>

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<p>Another unhooked asian. Your SAT1 scores are good for UC system, but will be a reach for Ivies. You need to get your CR score above 750 to be competitive. Your SAT 2 scores as you probably guessed need some improvement.</p>

<p>Another big issue I see is that you didn’t take the most rigorous courseload that your school offered. If your school offered 13 AP courses, but you took 6?? Was it due to conflict/scheduling? Please elaborate.</p>

<p>I also agree with others - I don’t see any interest in computer science/programming based upon your ECs. Please help me make the connection.</p>

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<p>@lumilie‌ </p>

<p>1) Magic indeed. :smiley: Yes, you are absolutely right. Columbia College (which includes humanities) also offers Computer Science. See here. <a href=“Majors, Concentrations and Other Programs of Study | Columbia College”>http://www.college.columbia.edu/academics/programs&lt;/a&gt; and <a href=“Areas of Study | Columbia Undergraduate Admissions”>https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/learn/academiclife/engineering/majors&lt;/a&gt;. The second one is for SEAS.
Here is their comparison. I suggest read for more info, I actually don’t know myself, so I gave this a quick read.
<a href=“Prospective Students FAQ | Department of Computer Science, Columbia University”>http://www.cs.columbia.edu/education/undergrad/prospectivefaq&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2) Yes it is doable. I promise you. I shall not let you down! :P</p>

<p>3) True that, sister (I am a guy by the way, I sound so feminine). Upload a sound video to youtube so I can hear your dying cat noises. :stuck_out_tongue: I’m just kidding! But seriously. Do it.</p>

<p>5) Yeah, UIUC also. Just be sure to do your research. Whatever I told you was a SUGGESTION, don’t hold me to it :D</p>

<p>6) Yeah that’s what I have heard. And East Coast!!! East Coast so much better than West Coast (although I have never been to West Coast, but I feel like I have to make fun of your home region). Definitely do some hardcore tourism here while you have the chance (or you can do it later when you get accepted to an Ivy :D).</p>

<p>7) Yeah, a book. I know right? Those things, they still exist??? :smiley: I’m just joshing with you. And yes. 100 1000 10000 times yes. Your first language will be your hardest one. It gets exponentially easier from there. R, for example, I learned in one month, and I can do so so so much with it. Make a graph with one line of code (one, exactly one - like I open R, type one line, and boom graph. 3 lines to print the graph to a file in .png format). I am not even kidding when I say this, learn coding and your paths shall become clear and you shall see the light and you shall be blasted with divine enlightenment that shines down from the heavens! Well no that doesn’t quite happen…but seriously its awesome. I have used coding in so much research applications, it has had a phenomenal impact on my life.</p>