Anonymous?

Hey everyone,
I plan to apply regular decision to CMU and I'll be applying either undecided or as a prospective U.S. history major. I'd love for a few people to comment on my chances. Thanks!

White female from New England
Legacy

GPA- 3.83/4.0 (4.88 weighted... but my schools weighting system is a little strange)

Rank- 6/215

ACT- 31 (35 E, 31 M, 30 R, 28 S) ... retaking in October and still waiting on September scores
SAT- 670 R, 680 M, 720 W
Subject Tests- I'm taking U.S. history, math 2, and literature in October

Courses: I’ve taken the toughest course load my school offers and I will graduate having taken more APs than any other student in my class. My AP classes include:
AP English Language
AP English Literature
AP World History
AP U.S. History
AP Biology
AP Calculus
AP U.S. Government
AP Psychology

Some ECs and Stuff:
-I work 10 hours per week during the school year, up to 40 during the summer
-Internship at insurance company... a job followed
-Community Service Group Leader 9-12 apx. 30 hours min a semester
-Competitive Horseback Riding- 8+ hours a week
-A few elected leadership positions at school
-NHS
-Founded a creative writing club
-Peer Leadership Training (30 hours a school year, 11-12)
-Co-captain of school ski team
(there are obviously others, but I think this should give you a good basic idea)

I know that CMU is obviously a bit of a reach... I guess I am wondering how much of a reach school CMU is for me.


Again, thanks so much! I appreciate it!

Anonymous?

Anyone? Please... :]

busdriver11

I think I'm the only person on the CMU site lately, there's got to be someone else here! I would guess that you have a very good chance of getting into H&SS, especially if you make sure you have convincing essays and recommendations. And as I've said 10 times on these threads, apply to as many of the different CMU colleges as you can make a case for, and in the essay section, address each college separately. You can always transfer, especially if you are now undecided. Consider every different college you apply to as one more chance to get into CMU. I would definitely apply to MCS, H&SS and IS. Good luck, you sound great to me!

bruno123

CMU would be a reach if you applied to SCS or CIT, but, since you are applying to H&SS, your stats are actually a match.

completelykate

Er... well, I'm no expert-- but from what I've gathered discussing former scores and stats with my fellow H&SSers, yours seem to be at about the same level as the average humanities student. Looks like a good match to me.

Anonymous?

Really? If so, that's awesome!

orishas92

You know...I can't stand people like you. You have a 3.8 GPA and a 1350 SAT but yet you are so insecure that you have to gain further approbation from others. Do you realize that you have excellent stats? Why then are you allocating your time to such worthless pursuits of commendation from others that are as anal about college as you are? Please relax. Colleges don't want mindless robots dogged on impressing them. A college is not a tool through which you can impress others and feel accomplished or intelligent. A college is an institution established for the purpose of preserving society's values and knowledge. Therefore, one attends college to contribute to society and become a member of the nation's elite because one has the ability to. I don't think this is what's on your mind. You don't aspire to receive an education for its gifts but merely for your own social status and self-esteem...I can derive this from the fact that you received a 31 on your ACT but yet you are taking it again. From what you listed, you have taken the ACT 2 times and will have taken it 3 times come November. That's ~$141...can there be a more conspicuous sign of insecurity? Whatever, perhaps I'm just stereotyping and you are actually passionate about knowledge and not about the prestige associated with obtaining that knowledge from Carnegie Mellon. In this case, I'll attempt to appease your trepidation with the following link:

Admission > Admission Statistics

Compare yourself to that, stop worrying, and work on what'll set you apart from everyone else in possession of your outstanding stats (essays).

Anonymous?

Orishas- Maybe if I was applying to a less selective school your comments would be merited, but CMU is an incredibly selective school. I am not searching for compliments. More likely than not, I probably WON'T get into CMU. I was curious what others thought my chances might be. My ACT is simply AVERAGE at CMU. It's not like I am some stellar applicant. I'm sure CMU turns down a few kids with near perfect ACT and SAT scores each year, as well as kids with near perfect GPAs and great ECs. I have gotten several Bs throughout high school and some parts of my application are lacking... like subject tests among other things.

I understand how it is frustrating when kids with 33-36s and 4.0s ask others to "chance" them, as though their stats could be any better--but my stats COULD be better and I am probably an average, to a little below average applicant. I wasn't asking for my chances at a school with average SAT scores of 500 and an acceptance rate of 75% where I'd be a shoo in, I was asking for my chances at a school with a fairly low acceptance rate (38%) and a stellar academic reputation.

I'm sorry if I offended you but by no means was I trying to brag. I would honestly be surprised and thrilled if I was accepted to CMU. My GC has told me I have a shot but it is definitely a less than 50% chance.