Applied, waiting for the decision, what are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
#1

<p>Hi,
I am a rising senior from Turkey and I applied to University of Pittsburgh at the beginning of September. My intended major is computer science.</p>

<p>I started this topic because waiting is really hard. So, what do you think my chances are at University of Pittsburgh?</p>

<p>In addition to my stats I have two teacher recommendations, one counselor recommendation and a solid essay (at least I think it is solid :)).</p>

<p>Stats:
EDUCATION
One of the best schools in Turkey and I am in IB Science-Math specialization (most rigorous track in my school)
GPA = 70/100 </p>

<p>SAT reasoning scores:
Take 1: CR:550 M:710 W:500 Total: 1760
Take 2: CR:570 M:670 W:570 Total: 1810
Combined: 1850</p>

<p>I took the MathI and MathII subject tests at October and I will receive the scores tomorrow. I am expecting something like 730 from MathI and 750 from MathII. I will send them to U Pittsburgh just in case.</p>

<p>TOEFL scores:
iBT: 108/120</p>

<p>LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES
I am the co-founder of Turkey’s one of the best known and prestigious gaming providers, which is involved in setting up and selling servers, organizing online and offline events, and developing gaming solutions such as anti-cheating software and unsupervised gaming systems.</p>

<p>I was also the co-founder of two other organizations which used to be the best in their field (online and offline gaming).</p>

<p>INVENTIVE PROJECT COMPETITIONS
An International Design Olympiad, Finalist 2010
A prestigious national competition, Regional finalist 2010
Another prestigious national competition, Winner (Gold Medal) 2009
Another prestigious national competition, Winner (Special prize -equivalent to coming third) 2010
Another prestigious national competition, Finalist 2010
Another prestigious national competition, Finalist 2010
Two or three is going to add here and I applied to get a patent in the field of computer science and waiting for its result.</p>

<p>I had over 15 awards before starting to high school</p>

<p>HANDS-ON COMPUTER EXPERIENCES</p>

<p>Blink!, Developer 2010
An online gaming and messaging application, which enables its users to communicate and collaborate to organize events while using a simple and self-explanatory interface. Blink! System consists of a client side application, which the user interacts with, and its server-side application which controls all the on-going transmission. Blink! Infrastructure is provided by Bilgeoyuncu and it is integrated with OMYS, GameSec and Interactive Online Gaming Solution.</p>

<p>Armarium Infragilis, Head Developer 2010
Advanced encryption/protection software which is hiding any specified data into any file while keeping the carrier file functioning correctly as though nothing has been changed on it. I’ve applied to get a patent for the method and it is currently protected by patent rights.</p>

<p>GameSec, Head Developer 200
The only online anti-cheating solution/software which is actively being used by Turkish gamers during online tournaments. GameSec’s two-sided reporting, memory signature recognition and partial screenshot systems prevent gamers from cheating or bypassing the application while still playing.</p>

<p>OMYS, Developer 2010
An unsupervised gaming solution, enabling gamers to organize matches without having to need a referee. OMYS has the ability to work integrated with GameSec and Interactive Gaming Solution. As soon as the match ends; scores, statistics, demos and screenshots are automatically published on Bilgeoyuncu.com’s Interactive Gaming Solution panel.</p>

<p>Interactive Online Gaming Solution, Developer 2009
A system which is enabling its users; to access all the history, statistics, screenshots of other gamers, to communicate with each other and if the user is a server administrative, to control his/her server completely.</p>

<p>COMPUTER SKILLS
Advanced knowledge of C#, Java, Delphi and C/C++
Reverse engineering experience, Win32Asm programming knowledge
Web programming experience in PHP
Database administration knowledge in MySQL and MSSQL
Experience in Windows and unix-based operating systems, and extensive knowledge of the inner workings of an operating system
Broad knowledge and experience on computer hardware</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

#2

<p>OMGMIT- it know it is frustrating waiting for the letter to come in the mail! And if you are in Turkey—it may take longer for a letter to reach you. We are still waiting here in PA it has been at least 4 full weeks since my D’s application was complete. I called a few times and each time was told- application is complete you should hear in a week or two.</p>

<p>In the mean time you may enjoy this site. Apparently I can’t post a link here. It is called “mychances (dot) net”</p>

#3

<p>Thank you for your reply rocknroll52. About 2 hours after I started this topic, I received an email from University of Pittsburgh, saying that they are sorry that they are not able to offer me admission at their main campus but they can offer me admission to the Bradford campus. This has been a disappointment for me but I hope I will get better results from my other applications.</p>

<p>By the way, is there a way to appeal their decision, to make them reconsider? I can try that after I get my subject test scores.</p>

#4

<p>yes- I was at an admissions presentation this summer and they said that you can ask for reconsideration if you have new information. In addition to test scores, they may want to look at your first marking period grades. It may also be that your GPA of 70 requires explaining. A 70 gpa implies a C- average …and it is going to be very difficult for you to get into a good college with that kind of GPA.</p>

#5

<p>70 out of 100 GPA in Turkey means 4 out of 5. You are right, some kind of explaination is needed.</p>

<p>What is the procedure of applying for reconsideration?</p>

#6

<p>I don’t know the procedure- but you could call the admissions office and speak to a counselor there to find out.</p>

#7

<p>I contacted them about the issue and my application is currently being reconsidered.</p>

#8

<p>…and the committee decided to sustain their decision.</p>

#9

<p>OMGMIT- too bad that didn’t work out. Did you get to talk to someone live about the GPA? Did you find out if that was the reason for rejecting you? Did they suggest that you might be able to get reconsideration if your senior grades improve?</p>

#10

<p>Thank you. I haven’t talked them about my GPA but they said that they look forward seeing my new semester grades. So this is some kind of deferral.</p>

#11

<p>OMGMIT, you Sat scores look well within the range accepted by Pitt. It does seem like they may have misunderstood your GPA.</p>

#12

<p>What exactly should I tell them about my GPA? How could I explain the difference and will they beleive my word for it?</p>

#13

<p>Maybe a college counselor or an administrator at your school should provide the explanation. Presumably, if you’re not the first to apply to colleges in the US, they’ve done this before.</p>

#14

<p>We have an experienced counselor in my school and 40 percent of the class applies abroad every year. I will talk to her on Monday about this issue and I hope this will lead the committee to change their decision.</p>

#15

<p>

</p>

<p>On the surface, a GPA of 70/100 seems very low by American standards. So I think your counselor should try to put it in context. For example, what is your class rank? Are you in the top 10-20% at a super competitive school with an incredibly rigorous curriculum? If your school doesn’t rank at least explain what an above average GPA looks like at your school. Good luck!</p>

#16

<p>I am in a really competitive school (one of the best in my country) and my curriculum is extremely rigorous. I have IB higher level mathematics, physics and English courses and standart level chemistry, biology and Turkish courses along with the national curriculum courses. My school doesn’t rank but I am sure my counselor will be able to explain my situation. I emailed Pitt on this issue and will have my counselor talk to them on this issue according to their reply.</p>

#17

<p>I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s not enough to state that you attended a tough school–it’s important, but not enough. Pitt probably also wants to know how well you managed compared to your peers. If 70/100 is one of the top GPAs at your school, then you want to make sure that Pitt understands this. Otherwise, a 70% GPA comes across as low, no matter what school you go to.</p>

#18

<p>The top student in my class has a GPA of approximately 92-93. 10 students have GPAs in 80s, and 25-35 students have GPAs in 70s. The rest are lower when compared to these.</p>

<p>So when I try to rank myself among the class, I can say something like 40/120, so I am ranked in 33%.</p>

#19

<p>OMGMIT- since your school has an admissions counselor can they tell you where students have been accepted in the past with your stats?</p>

<p>Have you considered Drexel University?</p>

#20

<p>I can check the previous acceptances from Naviance and no one has applied to Pitt from my school before I did.</p>

<p>I will apply to Drexel on regular decision.</p>