Change me for Computer Science Please?

Colleges & Universities University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
1

<p>Background Info:

  • High School: Extremely rigorous, top 50 high schools in the nation
  • Indian (South Asian)
  • Income: 150k</p>

<p>Computer Science Major!</p>

<p>I messed up really bad in high school until junior year. W = weighted, UW, = unweighted
Sophmore year: 3.0 UW (3.167 W), 2.67 UW (2.83W)
Junior Year: 3.67 UW (4.167 W), 3.67 UW (4.167 W)
UC GPA: 3.62</p>

<p>SATs (Barely prepped):
1st attempt: 1850
2nd attempt: 1980</p>

<p>Going to attempt again in October, I’m positive I will get at least a 2100, and possibly a 2200, I’m studying 2 hours daily every weekday over the summer.</p>

<p>ACT:
1st attempt: 32
Going to attempt again in September, aiming for 34 or higher.</p>

<p>SATII: Math (760), Bio (770)</p>

<p>Others:

  • 150 hours community service
  • DECA (Business Club):
    - 3rd in Northern California for Math Marketing
    - 4th for presentation, 8th overall for Advertising Campaign in States competition
  • YouTube Channel on Technology (relates to my major, computer science)
    - 2,800 subscribers
    - My technology guides and reviews have been watched 1.1 MILLION times
  • Started an organization this summer to raise money for charity through online gaming. Raised about $700 so far.
  • Intro to Computer Science course over the summer, got an A
  • Intro to Programming in C course over the summer, got an A</p>

<p>What are my chances of getting in? I’m extremely passionate about technology and would love if I could further develop my knowledge by majoring in Comp Sci at one of the best engineering schools in the nation.</p>

2

<p>I have been slacking throughout high school until junior year. At the summer, end of the sophmore year, I went to India and realized I am taking everything I have for granted. While others in India are yearning to learn but forced in mediocre schools, if any, I am slacking off, even though I am given the opportunity (by my parents) to attend one of the nations top 50 high schools. The vacation to India opened my eyes, and I realized I need to make the most of my fortunate situation. I tried throughout junior year, with 3 AP courses, and got a 3.67 unweighted, 4.167 weighted GPA.</p>

3

<p>Your ACT score is solid, but your SAT scores aren’t very good. I’m not sure how UIUC would consider that part of your application since there is a pretty wide disparity between the two tests. </p>

<p>Also, what is your freshman year GPA? Also, I don’t understand what you mean when you say that your UC GPA is a 3.62? Is that your cumulative GPA? Also, class rank would be helpful.</p>

4

<p>Ahh, UC GPA is the weighted GPA that colleges in California consider.</p>

<p>Freshmen GPA was worse: 2.5, 2.83, but public universities only calculate using sophomore and junior grades. Our school is so competitive, it doesn’t rank.
Overall weighted GPA for UIUC (just calculated) is a low 3.45…:(</p>

<p>If I don’t score 2100+ on the SAT, I won’t even submit it. I’ll only submit 32 ACT.</p>

5

<p>Good news regarding the ACT score. Illinois only considers your highest score, so the 32 is within an acceptable range for incoming engineers.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, U of I definitely will consider your GPA freshman year. Also, based on the info you provided, I calculated your overall GPA to be a 3.05. How are you coming up with a cum. GPA of 3.45?</p>

6

<p>3.45 (soph and junior year) weighted GPA.
My cumulative, all years, unweighted is 3.128. I regret my decisions in high school so much.</p>

7

<p>You can try and get in, but I think that low overall GPA is going to kill your chances.</p>

8

<p>Hm, well thanks for the help.</p>

<p>I saw on their site they consider weighted GPA, soph and junior year. Only difference from UC GPA is instead of +1 for AP/Honors, it’s +.5.</p>

9

<p>“I saw on their site they consider weighted GPA, soph and junior year”</p>

<p>UIUC considers your GPA freshman year. California may not do that, but Illinois does.</p>

10

<p>Your situation sounds a lot like mine was. I slacked off during freshman/sophomore years (had a 3.1ish during frosh/soph). Made it up to a 4.0 UW with full APs in junior/senior years and topped it off with a 2280 SAT. I had mostly mediocre ECs, but the few good ECs I had were all related to computer science and programming (internships, etc). Anyways, I got accepted.</p>

<p>I’d say you should improve your SAT a LOT more if you really want to go to Illinois. The GPA is pretty weak, so I’d say get your SAT around 2250-23XX at the least. Your ECs are solid. Get your SAT up, you have a decent chance.</p>