Im just wondering if my stats are good enough, due to some low points regarding them. ACT: 34 (36 English, 35 Math, 33 Reading 31 Science). 13 AP Classes (only 16 offered at my school) and I took 5 Honors courses as well. 4.6 GPA. Took 12 AP Classes in my Junior and Senior year (6 APs each). Got a 740 on SAT Math II and 700 on Biology E. I am majoring in Computer Science, but got a 3 on APCS because CollegeBoard decided it was a good idea to put AP Calc AB and APCS in one day I:. A lot of my extracurriculars focus on programming like being lead programmer on the Robotics team at my school and competing at World Championships and coding other types of programs in my spare time. I also know 8 programming languages if that is helpful to my application. Thanks for the feedback.
Will be tough for the most sought after CS programs, but worth applying.
Concerns are the obvious: AP score of 3 on APCS combined with a 740 Math II, but might be overcome by your relevant ECs in my opinion.
Your stats will put you in the ballpark anywhere but the “top schools” are reaches for everyone. Spend your time looking for matches and safeties that are good fits.
It’s really hard to say as all of the top schools are holistic in their admissions process. I don’t agree with the off-the-cuff reaches for everyone statement. But stats alone will not get you in anywhere in the top echelon.
I truly believe that the greatest variable is the recommendations. Not how well they like you but how they communicate the why they like you in their LORs. It is very easy to say “Joe is the greatest student I’ve every had.” but you know what everybody can say that about students. I think what AOs are looking for are examples of “how you’ve shown your qualities.”
Additionally, be very careful to write about what the AO is looking for. This varies by University. What the AO at UChicago is looking for is very different then what the one at MIT is looking for. Of course your Common Ap essay is going to be the same, but make sure your supplemental work is tailored to what the AO is hoping to see.
Finally, don’t try to overthink the process. If the AO asks for a 500 word essay on X, don’t give them a 5000 word essay on sorta X.