CMU SAMS 2017

ak2018
Fri, 19 May 2017 20:04:51 +0000

@nasphome

Hello, I was actually accepted this year. I don’t know everything about the program yet, but I can answers your questions as best as I can.

1. Based off of statistics I received from Carnegie Mellon, their standardized test prep (which helps with both the ACT and SAT) on average raises your score about 120 points on the SAT and 4 - 6 points on the ACT. The reason is not because the prep is bad, it's because, based on the schedule I was sent, we are only going to have 12 standardized test sessions, two sessions per week, each one being an hour and 45 minutes long. However, considering that most of the students accepted already have scores in the 1250+ and 28+ ranges, those points are likely all they need and more. Since it is an average, your score, however, would depend on how much you soak in from the sessions. So your score increase could be higher, or lower, than the average score.

2. I believe we're going to have a lot of opportunities to get college and career advising. They've made it really clear that we are technically CMU students for the time being and that most of their services are open to us. Based off of my schedule, we're going to be having two opportunities (Assembly and Group Advising) through the program each week to get help and advising. I would not be able to answer the second part of your question, but I would imagine it'll definitely be a great help as they are among one of the top engineering and performing arts colleges in the country. We have the opportunity to meet their professors and get advice from them, get advice from our resident dorm advisors, and likely lots of other places on campus.

3. They have not told us exactly what will be offered other than Physics will definitely be offered. Other science classes such as Chemistry, Biology, and even Biochemistry will be offered if enough people want to take it. But based off of the SAMS group chat I'm in, a lot of us are taking Physics.

4. I'm pretty sure it's going to be about Java, but it's just speculation at this point. If it is about Java, then it may be similar to AP Computer Science A.

5. It could help, programming especially, but it really depends on how much of science you can stand. AP/EA is similar to SAMS, also through Carnegie Mellon, and would allow you to do more business-classes, if accepted. AP/EA, however, costs more to go to if you don't apply with the diversity application. If you do and get accepted, you'll likely receive a scholarship to attend.

6. Based on what I heard from a SAMS alumni who is now at Carnegie Mellon, it shows demonstrated interest in Carnegie Mellon. Based off of a 2009 statistics, 83 of 800 students who went to SAMS several years prior got into Carnegie Mellon. 2 of them got into MIT. Some say it helps, more than others.

Hope​ this helps!