Chances at CalTech, MIT, etc.?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>I’m a high school senior with not too many accomplishments, but I’d like to know which computer science/engineering school is best fit to me. What do you think my chances are at the following places?

  • MIT
  • CalTech
  • Carnegie Mellon
  • Cornell
  • Rose-Hulman
  • University of Washington (honors?)
  • Olin College</p>

<p>I hate listing my embarrassing stats, but here goes…</p>

<p>Testing:

  • SAT I: 2250/2400 (that’s 720 Writing, 730 CR, 800 Math)
  • Math II: 800
  • Physics: 740
  • US History: 740
  • AP Tests: let’s <em>assume</em> I have a 5 on Calculus BC, Physics C: Mechanics, English Lit., and U.S. History</p>

<p>Classes Taken:

  • We’ll <em>assume</em> a 4.0 GPA (unweighted) (there were a few grading issues I have yet to resolve, but I’m pretty sure I’ll get them straightened out)
  • 5 AP courses passed, taking 4 more this year
  • 3 honors courses.
  • 3 summer courses</p>

<p>Activities:

  • 4 years marching band
  • 2 years scouting
  • 4 years video game development club
  • 2 years National Honor Society
  • Helped out at a computer recycling shop</p>
2

<p>Haha your stats are like mine!
SAT: 2230
SAT2: 800, 740, 720</p>

<p>If those activities are the only ones you do, you won’t get into MIT/Caltech/Carnegie Mellon. You’re a 50/50 for Cornell and I donno about the other colleges.</p>

3

<p>Oh, right, I should probably say I’m a National Merit semifinalist, I’m in the top 10% of my school and I won our school’s Bausch and Lomb award (with absolutely no effort ;-). Let’s <em>assume</em> my class rank is close to the valedictorianship.</p>

<p>Should I consider UC Berkeley as well?</p>

<p>Gosh, it’s hard to be a complete egotist…</p>

4

<p>Taken the AMC or AIME? Any math/compsci competitions?</p>

5

<p>No…no competitions (since 8th grade, that is). I’m planning to be in a computer programming contest, though, but it’s primarily a regional thing…</p>

6

<p>Oh I haven’t had any competitoins either! Maybe the Baush and Lomb award might come in handy. You definitely should try for UC Berkeley though! It’s engineering program is one of the best in the nation! :)</p>

7

<p>You should be in at Rose-Hulman.</p>

8

<p>Rose Hulman and Cornell - yes; Caltech and Olin - maybe; MIT - hard to say.</p>

9

<p>“I hate listing my embarrassing stats, but here goes…”</p>

<p>All looks good, but you’ll need to show more self-confidence to make it in the schools/program you’re looking at. </p>

<p>Best fit for you–have you been able to visit schools you’re applying to?</p>

10

<p>Absolutely apply to Berkeley also.</p>