Chances for strong CS schools

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hi,

I’d like to know my chances for some schools that I’m interested in.

I go to an extremely small school with very limited resources, so there aren’t really any APs or decent clubs that most people can do. I do take the most challenging course load available and do activities outside of school where I can. I have been denied every opportunity in internships or similar work experiences solely because I am too young (under 18, not in college). It’s ridiculous, but that’s how it is and why I don’t have the work experiences I easily should.

GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.29 W (junior year) the weighted cumulative GPA is only like 4.09 because I couldn’t take the one AP class or Honors English my freshman or sophomore years. In any case, I’ve had As for every quarter and semester for every class. I also take Calculus 1 at the local state flagship university.

SAT: 2030: (Mar 2015) 680 CR, 720 M, 630 W [10 E], 2070: (May 2015) 640 CR, 720 M, 710 W [11 E]
Superscore: 2110: 680 CR, 720 M, 710 W [11 E]

I have my extracurricular activities and awards listed here:
https://dillonkorman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/curriculum-vitae.pdf

I’m a Hispanic (white) male. I live in Hawaii. I’m middle (maybe upper-middle by pure income, but it’s really middle when you take into account the insane cost of living due to extreme geographic isolation [most remote city in the world]) class.

These are the colleges I’m interested in (in no particular order, except rough acceptance rate in general [not for CS program specifically):

  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  2. Columbia University
  3. Dartmouth College
  4. University of Pennsylvania
  5. Cornell University
  6. Duke University (legacy)
  7. University of Southern California
  8. Rice University
  9. Johns Hopkins University
  10. University of California, Berkeley
  11. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  12. University of California, Los Angeles
  13. University of California, San Diego
  14. Georgia Institute of Technology
  15. University of Texas at Austin
  16. University of Maryland, College Park
  17. University of Washington
  18. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

They’re generally the top public schools (especially in CS) or rich private schools that I’m interested in that can provide full financial aid if AFROTC doesn’t provide a full scholarship and the public schools don’t provide enough aid (all OOS).

Please keep in mind my degree is computer science (assume it’s set), so that can be more difficult for some schools.

Please let me know if you need more information.

Any information or replies would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

2

You seem to excel in the STEM areas quite well (as evidenced by the amount of science fair related activities on your CV).

Right now your main concern should be raising your SAT score. Rule of thumb is a 2200+ for Ivies, and for CS, you’ll want your math at or extremely close to an 800.

Also: how good are your essays going to be? Recs? Can you maybe get an additional rec from someone you’ve volunteered with?

Also, you’re OOS for the California public schools—they are notoriously stingy with OOS financial aid. Can you afford them?

3

You definitely shouldn’t have a problem getting into UIUC!

4

Thanks. I know my SAT score isn’t excellent for all the schools, but I don’t really care. I only need to get into one of those schools. I want to focus on other things, including the SAT subject tests.

I’d say my common app essay is pretty good (lots of objective reviewers do too). My other essays should be decent. I can get some good recommendations, including the executive director of the main volunteer group.

I’m aware of the OOS financial aid issues. I may only be able to attend them with certainly if I get a full ride from the Air Force, but I might be able to work it out with the 18k scholarship. I’m applying to other colleges for that reason of uncertainty.

5

You really should not reveal your identity on this site.

Your math scores are low which is a red flag because CS requires high math ability. Aim for an 800 on the SAT II math. I think you need to also take Physics for MIT (maybe Chem will suffice, look it up). Good luck!

6

Unlike what @TransferPenguin said, UIUC CS is highly competitive. It would be a reach for anyone due to the low admission rate.
For UMich, OP’s GPA is good but the SAT is low (mid 50 SAT 2040-2280) even for the CS in LSA. It would be a low reach for LSA and a reach for CoE from OOS.

7

Yeah, they could be higher, so I’ll try to get an 800 for the Math 2 test. It’s always one math and one science AFAIK. I couldn’t take physics yet anyway.

I thought it was more competitive than what he said. Thanks for that information. I wish my state had a good public school.