AnonymousA

Planning on majoring in computer science.

General Stats: White female from California, parents earn 250k+, ranked in top 5% of my class, bad freshman/sophomore year but I've had an upwards trend (Straight As my junior year-5.0 WGPA)

-SAT I: 800 M, 800 CR, 720 W (Superscore 2340)

-SAT II: 730 Bio M, 800 Math 2, 800 Physics

-UWGPA: 3.83

-WGPA: 4.6

-AP Scores: Statistics (4) World History (4) Calc BC (5) English Language (5)

-Jr. Year: AP Physics B, AP English Language and Composition, AP Statistics, H. Chemistry, H. US History, Community College Calculus (our school doesn't offer AP-but I took the AP test)

-Sr. Year: AP Gov., AP Chem, AP Physics C, AP Art History, AP English Lit, Linear Algebra (again, the community college class)


My ECs aren't too strong, but I don't know whether I can do much to improve them at this point.

- Water Polo / Swim Team (JV) (2 years) (Might not list this since I only did it first two years of high school)

- Best Buddies Club (hanging out with kids with disabilities during lunch and such) (3 years)

- UNICEF Co-President (1 year) (But in UNICEF Club for 2 years to)

- Online Programming Course (UCSD Extension-- Received an A+)

- National Merit Commended (213 on PSAT)

- Interned at UCSD (Supercomputer Center + Photonics) (continuing my internship at the supercomputer center)

- I've done a lot of tutoring inside and outside of school for the past 3 years, started my own tutoring club at school

Anyway, let me know if it's even worth applying to Princeton, Columbia, or Stanford.

abbie2013

I'd say you have a good shot. Your EC's seem strong to me.

deut97

just saying! If your still not confident make sure you apply to schools where
1. its a long shot if you get in.
2. your grades meet the standard requirements or more
3. A school where your sure to get in!
always stay positive and open minded the admission process is rigorous....am going to princeton!

AnonymousA

I don't have many reach schools but I'd like to be realistic with reach schools as well. Would Princeton be a university I could ever get accepted to?

moonchik

For Comp Sci - may I ask how you got to choose Princeton, Columbia, or Stanford? none of these are known to be best for CS majors.

Have you looked into particularly strong CS programs - other than the obvious Caltech, MIT, think of other terrific places like Carnegie Mellon, where they would likely LOVE a female such as yourself with strong math stats and CS dedication.

f2loop

You're kidding right??? Stanford's CS is ranked 1st along with MIT and CMU...

Hadiram

You could definitely get accepted to Princeton. You wouldn't be the first with your stats. Work on the essays and show something your passionate about.

AnonymousA

@moonchik I'm applying to Carnegie Mellon but I'm too scared to apply to MIT/Caltech. lol

zephyr15

AnonymousA

Princeton, Columbia and Stanford all have <10% acceptance rates, so they're a longshot for ANYONE.

Having said this -- you should definitely apply. You definitely have a shot.

If I can offer advice -- Computer Science is often offered both in a University's Arts&Sciences School and their engineering school. If it is the case for the schools you are looking at, strongly consider Engineering. Nationwide, fewer females apply in the STEM fields and the top engineering schools heavily recruit QUALIFIED female candidates. (Not positive if all do, but it is the case for many).

If Caltech/MIT interest you, I wouldn't eliminate them either. Also, for comp sci -- if it's otherwise a fit, I recommend Cornell Engineering -- Cornell is definitely a school that is looking to recruit qualified females (their Engineering Admit percentage is 2x that for males). Also, I have a D at Northwestern Engineering, studying Computer Science -- she loves it there.

Good luck

AnonymousA

@zephyr15

Thanks! I forgot to mention that I was applying to computer science within the engineering schools of these universities. I guess I should have put the list of school's I'm already applying to up here: Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, USC, U Mich, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, and a few safeties. I just really wanted to apply to 2 more schools and was trying to narrow my remaining choices down. I'm thinking I'll apply to Stanford and Princeton. Your reply was very helpful, thank you!

latitude123

You have a shot, I know someone who was accepted to Stanford with similar stats. 4.5 WGPA, 2380 SAT, relatively distinguished swimmer + water polo. The major difference is that he applied SCEA and his sister is already attending. He applied as a Civil Engineering major btw. So you should at least definitely try.

whatupbrosef

You're white, female, and rich. You're exactly the demographic these schools are trying to avoid. Yes you're a woman in science and that may be helpful to some extent, but you are not in depth enough within that field to put you ahead of any freshman in an intro cos class. Everyone on this thread is being way too optimistic about your chances. Your extracurriculars are not noteworthy at all, and that's absolutely vital in admissions to these schools.

whatupbrosef

Actually nevermind you'll for sure get in!! Whoops!!

mrcyna

Too late now, but I hope you ended up with more reaches on your list.
Good luck!

WallyWest

no CMU?
its has the best comp sci program!