Can I get in to engineering major with B+ in Physics and Math?

Applying to College
1

I’m an Asian senior girl, international student.

This year, I’ve taken AP Physics C and Calculus BC and although my grades have not been determined, Calculus will likely be a B/B+ while AP Physics C could be anywhere from B to A- depending on the grade of my midterm assessment. I will be applying as a molecular engineering major in schools such as Penn, UChicago, Brown, NW, UCs, JHU, Cornell, two schools in my native country, and possibly CMU.
I’ve gotten deferred from both Penn and Chicago this time round, and will be applying to Chicago as RD.

Here are my stats:
GPA: 3.86 (UW) until Junior Year (sophomore year I had a B+ in AP Bio, and B+ in Honors Physics in my junior year)
SAT: 1550 (CR 770 and M 780), Essay 21/24
SAT II: Biology (800), Math II (800), Chemistry (770), Physics (770)
I’ve gotten all 5s in my APs except for AP Bio: Micro, Macro, Chem, Lang, Chinese, APES – I’ve taken 7.
APs that I’m taking this year is Physics C, Calc BC, Psych, and Stats.

I’ve founded a math club, an MIT entrepreneurs club, was a finalist for HiMCM, and was one of the founding members of the chem olympiad from our school.
I’ve been a UNICEF leader for two years, as well as a four year commitment / co-leadership for a small community service club that does teaching for local kids.
I’ve done orchestra all four years, am co-concert master.
I did a summer internship before my junior year related to nanotechnology and chemical engineering.

I know that a lot of students at our school got deferred this time round. I’m not exactly sure why I got deferred – I’m guessing it’d likely be due to my GPA and scores more so than my activities.

I know that for engineering, physics c and math is so crucial. Given my stats, do you think I still stand a chance at the schools I will be applying to? Everything else will likely be an A, but I am reconsidering my school choices and considering taking some out for more safe options (currently my two native country schools are my “safetys”). Do you think my grades will terribly hurt me for my regular applications as an engineering major?

Thank you!

2

Re:HiMCM finalist, did you go on to IM2C ?

3

Your GPA on the whole is fine. However, engineering is an extremely competitive major and a B+ in subjects related to your major could hurt you. Apply anyway, however. If you can afford full pay as an international student, that could help you in need aware schools, and your overall stats are fantastic.

If you have been deferred from UC already you do not need to reapply RD. Your application will be reconsidered in the RD review round.

Your schools are all very reach-y. Given the Bs in some of the wrong areas on the transcript, you should add a few solid match schools. Keep in mind that the acceptance rate in the top 50-100 schools may appear favorable in the generally published statistics, but often engineering and CS majors at those schools have around a 10-12% acceptance rate.

4

@lostaccount Nope I did not :frowning: I did not hear about the IM2C until it was too late unfortunately.

5

You have a few B’s in science and engineering related classes, so that will hurt you, but you should still apply anyway because it doesn’t hurt to apply! Good luck!