Chance me for CMU as a reach?

slayinvain
Sat, 15 Dec 2012 12:51:41 +0000

I got accepted ED for Arch just yesterday. These were my stats:

GPA 3.8 UW (4.10 Weighted)
top 10%
8 Ap’s (A’s in class)(3 tests, 3 out of 5 on each)
ACT: 31 Comp (33 math, 31 sci, 29 read, 31 writing)
SAT (I submitted ACT’s though): 1970
SAT II’s: 570 Physics, 560 Math 1

I think what helped me was my EC:

2 year intern (in highschool) for a well known arch firm. They sent a fantastic letter of rec.
Varsity soccer (made states)
intramural soccer and basketball for 10 years.
golf.
tons of volunteering for public library and tutoring in Hebrew.
I am very social and interact greatly with people (helped with portfolio interview, got along great with the interviewer).

So, while Arch admissions relies on grades+portfolio, a huge thing that can help is EC.

From what I’ve heard, engineering is one of there harder schools to get into. You need very good grades. You have great grades, but you’re competing with kids who have perfect straight A’s in 10+ AP’s. I agree with the guy above me, a semi-okay chance, but for a reach school, it is a good choice. Good luck!