From Deny to Defer status

mathmom
Thu, 14 Dec 2017 14:50:55 +0000

It was a while ago, but my son, who was a computer nerd from way back, I don’t think said anything terribly specific about professors. His entire application basically said, “I’m a computer guy, take me or leave me.” His main Common Application essay had funny first and last lines with a pretty boring list of accomplishments in the middle. His why this CMU school I don’t think said much more than I live and breath computer programming and you’re tops, but I could be wrong. I think if he talks about what math and statistics related courses and activities he’s done so far and how that fits in with what CMU offers he’ll be in good shape. While I don’t think he needs to mention specific profs, he should look at the course catalog and see if there are things that intrigue him. Especially if there are things that CMU seems to offer that other places don’t.

I had no idea that Tufts was strong in math. My other kid went there, but as an IR major. He’s actually good at math, but terrible at arithmetic, which sometimes led to interesting results, but he took Calc BC as a senior and survived. I remember him being a bit sad that there was no math for poets type of course.

Since your kid is into Penn State, I don’t think you need any other safety schools. How do you know your kid has no chance at Harvard, MIT or Princeton? It really depends on what he’s done outside the classroom.