Decile: 2 (high likelihood I will go up to decile 1)
SAT Score: 1570 (800 Math, 770 Reading)
List your HS coursework
English: Honors English 1,2 and AP Lang (5)
Math: Honors Algebra 2, Precalc, AP Stats (5), AP Calc BC (5)
Science: AP Bio (4), AP Chem (5), AP Physics Mechanics (4)
History and social studies: Honors World History, APUSH (4)
Language other than English: Spanish 2 and 3
Visual or performing arts: Fine/Applied Art
Other academic courses: APCSA (4), AP Micro (5), AP Precalc (5 but self-studied)
Awards
Eagle Scout
2nd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo
AP Scholar w/ Distinction
District Academic Excellence Award
High Honor Roll
Extracurriculars
VR Game Modding - Made mods for VR games and got ~800k downloads, worked with other modders on projects, taught and wrote guides for new modders, developed different types of objects like vehicles, props, and avatars
VR Media Team - Photography and videography in VR during VR community group events, I also edit and create promotional materials using the media we collect, 500gb of photo and video captured, 100 members recruited after joining
BSA - SPL, Den Chief, Eagle scout, planned meetings and taught skills to younger scouts during the meetings
Internships - I am currently doing 2 internships, however, they are ongoing and I am unsure of what role I am performing yet, it will be more clear in a few months.
Hackathon leadership / Web Dev lead - Created website for school hackathon, ran a web development bootcamp, ran different events during the hackathon, advised and helped troubleshoot for all participants
Independent AR/VR Developer - Made some AR/VR projects such as a Spider-Man type game and an AR drone-flying simulator.
School scientific journal contributor - Created journal covers in Blender for many editions of the school journal and peer-reviewed submissions
Taekwondo - Got 2nd dan black belt, helped younger kids train
Peer Tutoring - Peer tutored in Precalculus, Algebra 2, AP Bio, and Java programming
Essays/LORs/Other
I am planning to ask for recs from my AP Physics C and AP Lang teacher, who I think likes me as well. I think they will be strong or at least above average in terms of weight. My Lang teacher has known me for around 2 years, and I am very active in and out of the physics classroom.
My personal essay will be about how making stuff in VR helped me find my identity as someone who creates things to empower others.
Well best of luck then - Iād be confident on Stevens, Penn State, and Rutgers and I think UMD is a decent shot.
I donāt see other acceptances but you never know. The UCs will not see your SAT so Iād probably remove them and if you want more, replace them with other very good schools if you want more - like UMASS, Wisconsin, Ohio State, UMNā¦or a USC if you want to be out West or a top school like Rice.
Or if VR is your thing, maybe check out RIT, UCF, or Arizona State, Arizona or Utah. They are some of the top schools in that area, with easier admission stats.
The most important school is a safety - one thatās affordable, you can get in and you love.
After that, the list doesnāt matter.
See the job prospect thread on CS - your āreachā colleges are struggling too.
I think, and Iām not a CS person - @DadOfJerseyGirl is - but if you want VR/games - it is different than other levels of CS - hence some of the schools I noted (Utah is another).
UMASS might be a targetā¦or UMDā¦but are they the right type of school given the desires?? Ohio State and Va Tech might be others. Rochester or William and Mary for smaller.
But reach/target/safety is irrelevant - itās affordable safety Iād like - and then where else interests me - but Iād be very careful to choose - what I want vs. a big name.
I included the Job Prospects thread below. Read the last day or two which may prove a bit eye opening for you- and of course, no one knows what life will be like in 5 years.
Your student has a very specific focus. My suggestion is to find people doing what he wants to do and see where they are. I always tell people the schools doing the research (especially on niche subject areas) will surprise you. Many are either large state universities or smaller schools you might not have heard of.