Chance me for these schools

Darthpwner · 10-14-2012, 04:06 PM

Hi! I am a senior in California and I am looking to major in Computer Science.
Ethnicity: Chinese American
Here is my list of schools in this order of preference: 1. Stanford 2. MIT 3. Cal Tech 4. Carnegie Mellon 5. Columbia 6. Dartmouth 7. Cornell 8. Berkeley 9. UCLA 10. USC 11. Rice
GPA: 3.92 (uw), 4.35 (w)
Class rank: 5 out of 800
33 ACT composite (33 English, 34 Math, 31 Reading, 35 Science, 31 Combined English/Writing, 9 Essay)
2040 SAT (680 CR, 650 M, 710 W), retook in October and will retake in November
SAT II: 800 (U.S. History), 770 (World History), 760 (Math Level II), 730 (Chem), 690 (Bio), 530 (Lit)
PSAT (180)
AP's: 3 (Biology), 5 (Chemistry, Calculus AB, English Lang, U.S. History, World History)
Took a college Chemistry 65 course at local college and got a B (2011).
Currently taking: AP Eng Lit, AP Art History, AP Calc BC, AP Microecon
Self-Studying AP Psychology and AP U.S. Gov
Varsity Tennis number one singles (9,10,11,12)
Varsity Team Captain (12)
League Individual Winner (9,10,11) and made it to CIF Individuals (9,10,11)
Ranked 516 nationally and 64 in So Cal for tennis (featured in Inside Tennis and local newspaper for winning the SCTA Satellite Masters)
Qualified for CIF team competition (10,11)
MVP for tennis (9,10,11)
AP Scholar with Distinction (12)
NHS Executive Cabinet (12, inducted as a junior)
CSF member (9,10,11,12)/ CSF tutor (11, 3 hrs/week, 30 weeks/yr)
Volunteered as an assistant tennis coach during summer (15 hr/week, 8 week session, 2009-2012)
Also paid coach for 5 hours/week, 8 week session (2009-2012)
I help my parents take care of my disabled sister (Rett Syndrome) (about an hour a day all year)
Physics Club (12)
Pi Club (11,12)
Green Earth Club (11,12) (senior rep)
Volunteered through Key Club and Interact (10,11,12) about 4 hours/week for 30 weeks.
College Resource Club (11, VP)
Amnesty International (11,12)

Darthpwner · 10-15-2012, 01:23 AM

bump
10 char

Stanfordbound95 · 10-15-2012, 04:45 PM

I skipped the section on what schools you wanted to apply to, then after reading the rest of the post, i looked at it hoping that Stanford wasnt on there (im appplying REA), but it sounds like youve got a good a chance as anyone on getting into any of those schools!

Darthpwner · 10-15-2012, 09:17 PM

Thanks! I think I can get into Carnegie Mellon and the lower level Ivy Leagues but Stanford, MIT, and Cal Tech are out of reach I think.

Darthpwner · 10-15-2012, 10:39 PM

Bump 10 char

fchris13 · 10-15-2012, 10:41 PM

I don't think your ACT is high enough to be considered "Competitive" in any sense. Your GPA is severely low, and I don't believe you can make it in the big league schools like Stanford. At least your class ranking isn't bad though, but your lacking in nearly every other category. Stanford only accepts the best of the best kid not the laziest of the laziest. You might want to shoot for something a little lower than Stanford, like maybe the University of Florida or something like that. You would probably get into the University of Georgia to if you wrote good enough essays. P.S. Your AP Exam scores were weak to.

rainydays05 · 10-15-2012, 11:02 PM

^ Just wow to the post above. How in the world are scores of 5 on 5 AP exams weak? Anyway, your GPA, class rank, and SAT II's are all right in the ballpark for the schools you're looking into. Your ECs are good as well. I'd say right now schools 7-9 are matches (low reaches at most) if you were to submit your current ACT score for admissions. It's your SAT that's holding me back from saying that you have a good chance at the other schools. If you get your score up to 2200, then I'd say you'd be a competitive applicant. Best of luck!

Darthpwner · 10-15-2012, 11:19 PM

Okay thanks guys! I felt much stronger on the October SAT so hopefully I get it up to a solid score.

Darthpwner · 10-15-2012, 11:24 PM

@fchris How about the other schools I mentioned on the list?

MarceloSanchez · 10-15-2012, 11:24 PM

If you raise your scores you will be a very serious candidate to any of the schools you mentioned. Good luck.

Darthpwner · 10-15-2012, 11:28 PM

Alright thanks Marcelo! One final shot at the SAT in Nov (awaiting Oct scores). Good luck to you too

MarceloSanchez · 10-15-2012, 11:31 PM

No problem, check out my thread if you can and let me know what you think about my case, i'm a bit worried:
Any advice?? Help me, please!!!!

Darthpwner · 10-16-2012, 12:42 AM

Bump 10 char

20more · 10-16-2012, 01:37 AM

Good chances at UCB, UCLA and USC
Other schools are reach schools.

5s on AP are not big deal.

earlygrad123 · 10-16-2012, 02:19 AM

Your scores are solid, but places like Stanford are looking for something insane on your resume. Write a remarkable personal statement, take the ACT again for a higher score 34+ to really get into that 1%. Your extracurricular activities are plentiful, but almost self-involved. Have you done anymore community outreach?
Make sure you get good recommendations!!!
Chance me back please.