<p>Hi guys, I’m a HS Senior, and I’m thinking of applying to universities for Computer Science. I’m interested in the programs at University of Berkeley and Washington in particular. I was wondering if my background would stand out to admission officers…</p>
<p>I’ve been an administrator for Wikimedia Foundation projects for about 4-5 years now, and I have been an editor on sites, particularly the English Wikipedia, Simple English Wikipedia, and English Wikiquote (both on articles and behind-the scenes), for about 6 years. However, I’ve been on and off the past few years due to high school. I’ve accumulated approximately 30,000 edits and contributions to the site, have had about a million people view my pages, and have utilized HTML ever since. Therefore, I’m hoping the intro classes in college won’t be too foreign to me at least… </p>
<p>I’ve realized only recently that I would love to major in CS, like two days ago. I feel like my background has prepared me most for it than anything else. I suck at Biology and I’m decent at Chemistry. These classes were the only classes where I got B’s in (1 B in Bio H freshmean year, 1 B in Chem H soph, 1 B in AP next year (1 on exam, I know)). However, I’ve received straight A’s in math up to this Quarter in Calc AB, and I always ask questions and want to make sure I know as much as possible. I’ve realized I like learning math; therefore, I can see myself majoring in computer science than any other field. I also attend a Medical Magnet Acadamy, but I don’t feel like I want to major in pre-med anymore because I’m not as motivated. Oh, and I’m very good at Writing, but I suck at Reading, but I plan to read much more now. I love memorizing vocab words, and I’ve memorized coding before, so I think I’ll be alright in that aspect of CS.</p>
<p>These are my other nicks:</p>
<p>UW: 3.84
W: 4.5
CR: 27/683 (top 5%)
SAT: 1820 (540 R, 600 M, 680 W)
ACT: 23 (yah… retook yesterday, hoping for 31 in E, 27 in M, and 24 in S.)
Taking Math 2 next week.
5 APs by end of senior year
- 1 AP Chem
- 4 AP Lang
- will probably pass the rest</p>
<p>Wikipedia Volunteer Editor & Admin (6 years)
Key Club - Treasurer
Hep B - Vice President
Asian Rhythm - Secretary
Badminton - VP, President
NHS
HOSA
Orchestra 3 years
Numerous Piano Awards (been playing 6 years, I love it)
Volunteer Hours: ~150 h
Worked at a Medical Clinic: ~30 h</p>
<p>Getting Recs from my amazing English teacher and Geometry/Trig teacher. Should be good. The math one went to Berkeley. I was his student for two years and he’s our advisor for Badminton which I’m Pres of.</p>
<p>Essays focused on piano and Wikipedia experience.</p>
<p>Colleges I’m applying for:
-Stanford* (lol)
-UCB*
-UCLA
-UCSC
-UCSD
-UW*
-USC
-Pepperdine
-UNR (instate)
-UNLV (instate)</p>
<p>*would love to attend</p>
<p>In the future, I’d like a job where I deal with computers or programming, but in a way where I can directly help someone, which is why I was interested in medicine at first. </p>
<p>Anyway… I just wanted to know if I’m in good standing for a chance at a good college for computer science, and if college admissions will take my Wikipedia experience in favor.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!!</p>