Type of high school * Private semi-competitive high school with around 450 students and a decent reputation
Gender/Race/Ethnicity * Race: South Asian Female, Muslim
Other special factors *Legacy? Family member went there but did not graduate
Intended Major(s)
Computer Science BS and human-computer interaction
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0
Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 4.11
College GPA (for transfers):
Class Rank: 3 last I checked
ACT/SAT Scores: N/A (Iâm a Sophomore)
Coursework (AP/IB/Dual Enrollment classes, AP/IB scores for high school; also include level of math and foreign language reached and any unusual academic electives; for transfers, describe your college courses and preparation for your intended major(s))
Ap Human Geography
AP World History
Spanish one
Intending to take
AP Spanish
Another AP Language (Possibly Japanese or a regular Japanese course)
AP Lit
Ap US history
AP Comp Sci Principles
Awards
N/A sadly
Extracurriculars (Include leadership, summer activities, competitions, volunteering, and work experience)
Lots of volunteering in blood drives, tutoring, and senior home, table tennis club, crochet club, gamejams and website building experience.
Essays/LORs/Other
AP world/HG: Likely good
Cost Constraints / Budget (High school students: please get a budget from your parents and use the Net Price Calculators on the web sites of colleges of interest.)
Full pay
Schools (List of colleges by your initial chance estimate; designate if applying ED/EA/RD; if a scholarship is necessary for affordability, indicate that you are aiming for a scholarship and use the scholarship chance to estimate it into the appropriate group below)
What is DE in GA Tech? Iâm not sure what your asking here.
As you are only a sophomore with no test scores yet, itâs a bit early for a Chance Me thread. But, if you are planning on CS, Georgia Tech certainly isnât a likely. More of a reach, even in state. Probably not likely at UGA either.
I will comment briefly on your coursework listed. Why would you take AP in two different languages? Unless you plan on studying languages or something related, this would be overkill. And Iâm not sure how youâd manage it anyways schedule wise. What are your math and science sequences? Very important for competitive admission schools.
As noted above, itâs too early to chance you but youâre on the right track. Keep up those excellent grades and aim for a high SAT score. And engage in activities that youâre truly passionate about.
Finally, build a broad list of schools because GT CS is a hard admit even for in state students.
Do you have a âpassionâ for languages? If not, two different AP languages wonât matter much, especially since you seem to be not taking any AP math or science. Those would be much more important for someone who wants to major in CS.
CS is one of the most competitive majors and youâll need to challenge yourself more in HS if you are targeting top programs.
My two cents: consider more rigorous coursework in both math and science. Good luck to you!
Looks like the OP is locked into the listed math sequence by middle school math placement, and did not double up geometry with algebra 2 to accelerate. So accelerating math to get to calculus in high school is not possible without summer courses (not generally recommended due to the faster pace). A few high schools do offer an accelerated algebra 2 with precalculus course that allows getting to calculus immediate afterward, but if that is not offered at the OPâs high school, it is not an option for the OP.
For science, there can be the option to take a more advanced science course in 12th grade, but physics (which is the one that usually makes the most sense for prospective CS majors) is the least suitable for taking more advanced courses in high school, since the OP will not be in calculus yet.
I agree with what you are saying about course sequencing, but there are probably honors and AP levels that should be considered. AP Precalc is now a choice at a lot of schools. AP Chem or AP Bio could be taken senior year. Three years of science isnât enough, IMO.
I guess what Iâm trying to get across is to consider taking the highest level rigor available to your sequence.
Junior year teachers would be a better choice for LoRs.
Not sure this will help for a prospective CS major. Can you take a science senior year at your school or DE? Having only 3 years of science will be a disadvantage at Tech as well as some other schools.
Does your school offer honors options for any of these? AP Precalc?
No honors track available; If the AP stats teacherâs still there by the time I reach senior year, I might be able to take it. Iâm taking AP computer science AB and AP macroeconomics AB next year as well through GAVS
DE Computer science track; Iâm leaning heavily into it. That requires AP precalc, but I got denied for taking it on GAVS because we have to take it senior year; I canât take the same course twice
Senior year I could be eligible to take DE because my first choice program require Precalc. Also yes, all students are required to take AP Precalc senior year, sorry for not mentioning that.
Does your school offer AP Calc BC to kids on a more advanced math track? Does it offer AP Precalc before senior year to some kids?
To make yourself more competitive, I suggest showing your passion in service/community-oriented ECs rather than a second foreign language. GT values service in its holistic admissions. Use the extra spot in your schedule to try to increase academic rigor, in math and science preferably. This should be a discussion with your school GC now to understand your options for junior/senior year schedules.
CS is now an impacted major at GT so it is a more difficult admit than ever. It will be very important to show you are one of the top students in your high school and youâve taken the most rigorous classes your high school offers. You may get a slight boost as a female since GT tries admit a gender balanced class.
Yes; those whoâve taken Algebra I in 8th grade with the school can take Ap Precalc in Junior year. I joined this school in Freshman year. All of the AP classes offered at our school are mandatory. Thanks for the detaile dreply
That makes sense. When the time comes for applications, talk to your GC about including that in their recommendation for context about your level of rigor.