<p>My stats:
Male, white.
Senior
Public school in Mass. (in the top 15 or so)</p>
<p>3.91 GPA, weighted 5.0 scale. (8% of our 2013 senior class had a 4.0+, to give you an idea)
SAT: 800 W, 680 M, 710 CR
SAT II: Physics 590 (yea i know, mostly wanted to try it out). I may take Chemistry or Physics and Math II</p>
<p>AP German and AP Chemistry this year. Lots of honors classes. Mostly A's. Math through Calculus.</p>
<p>EC's:
-Eagle Scout, made a 40 minute historical documentary for my project: 200 hours, lots of leadership. Scouting for 6+ years
-Codeveloped a few iPhone Apps in a little entrepeneurial venture. They did pretty well.
-Cofounder/Copresident of a mobile application development club at my school
-2+ years paid intership with a small startup ecommerce company -webdesign, coding, graphics, general problem solving
-Film/Visual effects: Mostly a hobby I have had for 5+ years. 2 of my videos won big time at a local film festival. Produced videos for several different events/organizations. I have an independent study in film this year.
-NHS
-FIRST robotics (this year, at least that's the plan)
-Xerox award for innovation and information technology -potential $30,000 scholarship to Rochester
-Various other academic awards</p>
<p>Strong interest in technology. Possible programs: Computer Science, Robotics, Engineering, Visual Effects, Undecided... </p>
<p>My schools: (I included guess chances but don't let me influence you)
1. Cornell (high reach?)
2. Tufts (high reach?)
3. University of Rochester (reach?)
4. Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute (match?)
5. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (match?)
6. Boston University (match?)
7. Northeastern (match?)
8. Rochester Institute of Technology (safety?)
9. UMASS Amherst (safety?)</p>
<p>Any advice would be appreciated. Should I boost my math SAT? What about CR?</p>
<p>As you said, Cornell and Tufts are indeed high reaches. You’re going to want subject tests that are 750+ to submit with the regular SATs. Your SAT 1 is on the low side for you’re top two schools. You can apply Cornell ED if you truly want to, but it may still be a reach for you. Your in your #4 school and below!</p>
<p>You have impressive ECs, all related to your field of interest. Your SAT on the other hand, not so so great. I think retaking your SAT 1 would greatly boost your chances in the top 3 schools.</p>
<p>Cornell- High Reach
Tufts- Reach
University of Rochester- High Match
Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute- Match
Worcester Polytechnic Institute- Match
Boston University- Match
Northeastern- Match
Rochester Institute of Technology- Safety
UMASS Amherst- In</p>
<p>You are looking to get into a STEM program with <700 on your math SAT and <600 on your Physics SAT II.</p>
<p>This is going to be challenging for you. I think you’re at least a low-reach for all the schools you listed. I would sat that Cornell, Tufts and RPI are out of reach for you at this point unless you improve that Math score quite a bit.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you apply as a non-engineering major to many of these schools (even Cornell) I think you have a very good shot.</p>
<p>I agree with Soze. most of those schools have competitive engineering programs, regardless of their overall competitiveness. However, raising that math score (or applying as a non-engineering major) I think would give you a much better shot.</p>
<p>Your guesses for your colleges are all basically there. Raise your subject test and SAT, and maybe consider taking the ACT. A 3.91 on 5.0 though, idk for Cornell. I’m a 3.8 on 5.0 and I thought I was in terrible condition lol. We had a kid get into Harvard from our school this year who had a 4.8/2360 and went to the Yale summer scholar thing, to put in perspective. You might be able to do Cornell and tufts if you raise your scores and have some connections. Good luck</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. Pretty much confirmed what I already knew.</p>
<p>I will be working hard to get those SAT’s up but I’m confident I can. In my defense it WAS over 90 degrees in the room where I took SAT’s and I have prepared for maybe 3 hours ever.</p>
<p>YeahBuddy007: Yeah my schedule is definitely not the most difficult, but it is up there. This is probably the biggest regret I have: not taking more AP’s. My school has lots of prerequisites which make it difficult to get into some AP’s without planning it out in advance.</p>
<p>Tyrtle: I believe no one in my school has ever gotten over a 4.5 (the one that did went to Harvard). The top 8% (~30 kids) tends to have between 4.0 and 4.2 with only a few above that.</p>
<p>I should mention that both grandparents went to Tufts, one with a PHD and have been pretty involved with it since. Also pretty regular donors for a few decades. What type of effect would this have, considering that it’s not first gen. legacy?</p>
<p>My top 3 schools are really just there because I was told to add some stretch schools and UOR because of the potential scholarship. I really like some of my match schools so to be honest I’m not sure if I would even want to apply ED to Tufts or Cornell.</p>
<p>I’ll chance you guys back later when I get a chance.</p>