Electrical Engineering Applicant from Texas [3.96 UW, 1560 SAT super score, top 1% rank]

[scrumptiousapplepie3]

Demographics

• US domestic
• Texas
• Public

Cost Constraints / Budget
Family income below 200K

Intended Major(s): Electrical Engineering

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

• Unweighted HS GPA: 3.958
• Weighted Ranking HS GPA: Core Classes(Math, Science, English, History): 4.794
• Weighted Cumulative HS GPA: Core Classes(Math, Science, English, History): 4.59
• Class Rank: 4/1280
• SAT Scores: 770/790 Superscore, 770/770 Regular

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

• English: Pre-IB English 1 & 2, AP English Language
• Math: Alg 1(7th) to PreCalc(9th) to Calc III + Diff EQ (12th), includes APCSA, AP Calc BC, AP Stats.
• Science: Pre-IB Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, AP Biology, AP Env. Science. Includes a self-studied 5 on AP Physics 2.
• History and social studies: AP Human Geography, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP World History, AP US History
• Language other than English: French III, Hindi IV
• Visual or performing arts: Orchestra (Varsity Gold)
• Other academic courses: Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, AP Comp Science Principles, Professional Communications, Health.

Awards

Research:

• Young Innovator Award by Qorvo

• Invited to conduct research at the University of North Texas

• Invited to present at Texas Junior Academy of Science Symposium (X3)

• Invited to present at TJSHS (X1)

• Invited to present at the Texas State Science and Engineering Fair (X1)

• One of Three Invited to do research with the University of North Texas in acoustics (w/ stipend)

Chemistry:

• USNCO National Qualifier

• 2nd highest scorer in Chemistry at Regional UIL

Robotics:

• FRC Worlds (x2)

• FTC States (x1)

• FTC States UIL 6A Champions (x1)

Entrepreneurship:

• GYEC global finalist, Top 40 teams globally (x2)

Extracurriculars

Simulation Designer & Educator (11-)– Designed and published over 40 interactive simulations and video lectures explaining advanced physics topics, combining conceptual explanations with live modeling.

Independent Maker & Inventor (7-)– Build and prototype small-scale technologies, including:
• Downscaled carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide capture systems for practical residential use (improving indoor air quality and sleep).
• Accessible programmable robotics kits for students in low-income areas.

Researcher – Acoustic Imaging Optimization (10-) –
Investigated how glycerin-water solutions affect acoustic propagation in ultrasound systems. Conducted 200+ trials, analyzed data using correlation and t-tests, and developed procedures for improving imaging consistency and calibration accuracy in medical and industrial applications.

NANORX Project (10) – Developed a sustainable approach to drug delivery using nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes and low-cost biopolymers like chitosan to improve biocompatibility and reduce production costs.

AI & Software Development (12) –
• Created an AI-powered virtual assistant to automate repetitive computer tasks.
• Built a personal website to showcase projects and share educational simulations.

Robotics (FIRST Tech & FIRST Robotics Championships) (7-12)–
• Lead Programmer (FTC, Grades 8, 10) – Designed and debugged autonomous code and control systems.
• Captain of the Electrical Subteam (FRC) – Oversaw wiring, power management, and sensor integration.

Community & Family Responsibilities (11th) –
Provide regular care and assistance for elderly family members during a difficult period for my parents, balancing academic and personal commitments.

Classical Music (Performance and Learning) (8th -) –

Learning from a PhD candidate about the intricacies of Indian Classical Music now as a Year 4 Student. Perform for a regional nonprofit at events.

Essays/LORs/Other

Schools
MIT, Harvard, CMU, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Rice, UTD, UT, Georgia Tech, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, JHU, Caltech

[tsbna44]

I think you’ll get into some.

Can you afford them all - have you run the NPCs?

I’d think UT will happen.

And I imagine a few more.

But you should add an A&M or safety - just in case - you’ll be in at UT but engineering is the issue. I’d assume you’d get it - but nice to have a fallback in case. An A&M or UTD.

Good luck.

[happy1]

I recommend you contact a moderator and take the exerpt of your essay off of CC.

You are a strong candidate but IMO it is impossible to chance at the hyper-competitive colleges as they get more qualified candidates than they have spots available.

[happy1]

UTD is on the OPs list.

[lkg4answers]

I removed it.

[lkg4answers]

@scrumptiousapplepie3

MIT, Harvard, CMU, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Rice, UTD, UT, Georgia Tech, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, JHU, Caltech

The UC application is different than the common app. There are four Personal Insight Questions, along with describing 20 Activities & Awards in 350 characters each. It is a lot of effort for one school.

[scrumptiousapplepie3]

do you mean the ‘chance’ is really low or is it just very hard to determine a chance?

[scrumptiousapplepie3]

I think I can afford most of these colleges, UC Berkeley is the one exception, but we’ll cross that bridge if we’ll see an acceptance. I’m actively trying to find problems within my application. Please let me know what comes to mind!

[tsbna44]

sorry - missed - they should be good then. I imagine UT happens. To OP, being Asian is irrelevant btw…for admission purposes.

[tsbna44]

@scrumptiousapplepie3

UC Berkeley is the one exception,

If you can’t afford it, then why? I’m not a fan of - we’ll cross that bridge.

UIUC, Penn State, and Purdue are other top EE schools and are all less expensive - Purdue much so.

I get it - it’s at a different level but the UC app is intense - and for what - if you can’t afford it, it’s not worth it.

btw - I think I can afford isn’t good enough. Have your parents run the NPCs at the privates and assume full pay at the OOS publics. Can they afford those #s?

Yes, Berkeley grads do well - they also pay, probably three times the rent, of grads placing in other cities. There’s a reason they make so much.

And btw - in the 2024 career survey and I don’t know the last snapshot - but a quarter of kids were still seeking employment in the major. So the school is reputed but it’s not a slam dunk, at least the data shows.

Good luck.

[aquapt]

@scrumptiousapplepie3

I think I can afford most of these colleges, UC Berkeley is the one exception, but we’ll cross that bridge if we’ll see an acceptance.

So, you have one school on your list that’s a disproportionate amount of work to apply to, and it’s also the only one that’s clearly unaffordable. Why would you pursue this, especially when your own in-state flagship is similarly top-tier? I agree with throwing in Purdue, as an affordable yet top-tier OOS public, and maybe UIUC also. Or, if the full-need-met privates are more affordable than the OOS publics, add a few more of the big names in that category - Duke, Northwestern, UPenn… or if you’d enjoy smaller and more holistic, Olin or Harvey Mudd. Maybe a few that give merit, like Rochester and CWRU, if the NPC’s are favorable.

Good luck; you’ve got a very strong record and I’m sure you’ll have enviable options.

[lkg4answers]

@scrumptiousapplepie3

I think I can afford most of these colleges, UC Berkeley is the one exception, but we’ll cross that bridge if we’ll see an acceptance. I’m actively trying to find problems within my application. Please let me know what comes to mind!

You have good grades and tests scores. You have been active and involved. You may not be accepted to any of the schools on your list.

The problem with your application is that you are only sending it to schools with very low acceptance rates.

@scrumptiousapplepie3

Language other than English: French III, Hindi IV

Note that Berkeley will not look at your test scores.

Also, did you take French I and II? Hindi I, II and III? The UCs require two years of the same language. Subject requirement (A-G) | UC Admissions

[happy1]

Many collegea on your application list have acceptance rates that are below 10% (some below 5%) so they must be considered reaches for any unhooked applicant. You are a well qualified applicant, so absolutely take your shot! Be sure to spend the time needed to write thoughtful and meaningful supplemental essays.

Agree with eliminating Berkeley (due to cost), especially when you have UT in-state.

Good luck!

[BKSquared]

You are auto admit UT Austin, although Cockrell is separate, but I think your chances are pretty good. Get in your app early.

With UTA as a “floor”, I’d limit your total apps to just 6-8 reaches, especially ones with generous FA. Unless your family has a lot of assets, some of the privates like HYPMS will likely be cheaper than OOS publics. The quality of your essays matter for schools like these, so avoid cookie cutter essays in order to apply to a bunch.

No guaranties in admission to your reaches, but you have a decent shot as long as you don’t fall into the trap of treating admissions like a lottery and don’t customize each app.

[ucbalumnus]

@lkg4answers

Also, did you take French I and II? Hindi I, II and III? The UCs require two years of the same language. Subject requirement (A-G) | UC Admissions

UC validation policy effectively means that they look for highest level completed, so completing high school year 4 is seen by UC as “4 years”.

[DadTwoGirls]

@scrumptiousapplepie3

UC Berkeley is the one exception, but we’ll cross that bridge if we’ll see an acceptance.

With an income below $200,000, or anything less than maybe $500,000, being out of state, I do not think that there is any point in applying to UC Berkeley. I think that you are going to get multiple acceptances to very good universities, and there is no point in getting an unaffordable acceptance to UCB.

UT Austin is a VERY good university. Do not underestimate it just because it is in-state and affordable. You can do very well with an engineering degree from UT Austin. Actually you can do well with an engineering degree from any ABET accredited university. I might wonder about also applying to TA&M just to make sure that you will have another safety, but this might depend upon whether you would prefer it to UTD.

If for example you get accepted to both MIT and UT Austin, you do not need to attend MIT just because it is famous and highly ranked. You should think about which school is the best fit for you and which is the best for your major. You can do very will with a degree from either of these academically strong schools. Similarly I am not sure that I would prefer either Harvard or Yale over UT Austin for any form of engineering. If accepted to all three if it were me then I might stay in-state.

Understand that some of the schools on your list are academically very demanding. MIT and Caltech particularly come to mind, but this might apply to other schools also (and maybe to some extent to any school with an EE major). Make sure that you want to work that hard. Unfortunately it is quite difficult to quantify just how hard the difference is between two universities. I actually have degrees from two of the reach schools on your list and I still couldn’t tell you whether any difference that I perceived between the two schools was due to any difference between the schools, or due to my being older and more mature when I was in graduate school.

I think that you are competitive at your reach schools, but they are of course reaches. You should run the NPCs and see if you and your parents are okay with the results.

I have no idea what Georgia Tech is likely to cost you as an out of state student.

If you get multiple acceptances to reach schools, you might want to look to see what the required courses are for each (consider both major-specific requirements and general requirements). This might be one useful input to help you decide where to attend.

And I think that you are doing very well.

[LostInSpace5]

@DadTwoGirls

Similarly I am not sure that I would prefer either Harvard or Yale over UT Austin for any form of engineering. If accepted to all three if it were me then I might stay in-state.

Coming here to say this. OP, you sound similar to my youngest who had multiple acceptances from your list last year. Harvard, however, was crossed off the list before the application season after a visit, when we found out they’d graduated only 8 EE students from their ABET-accredited SB program the year before (there is another track you can take that is not the bachelor of science and is more entrepreneurial focused).

So I’d recommend doing a deep dive into each college’s curriculum and “tracks,” if any (Yale has a similar, non-ABET option for engineering).

I also second the responses on not taking on the UC application if you a) probably can’t afford it, and b) are only applying to UCB when you have such a great in-state option. Again, you are like my kiddo, who would not give up the idea of the UCs and suffered through the very very different UC application during an already highly stressful application season. If I could magically have controlled any part of my kid applying last year, it would have been to say “no” to the UC application.

[lkg4answers]

I guess the real question is, was Hindi taught at the high school or at community college? Google can’t seem to find any schools in Texas that teach it. If Hindi wasn’t taken at HS or CC, was French 3?

[somethings]

@scrumptiousapplepie3

Robotics:

• FRC Worlds (x2)
• FTC States (x1)
• FTC States UIL 6A Champions (x1)

If your team has a Dean’s list winner in your graduating class, you may want to check which universities they’re applying to. Some of the schools on your list ten to favor the Dean’s list winners. I used to coach FTC teams, now just ref and judge. I’ve witnessed many great students from successful teams happily attending UT, Rice, Purdue.