Intended Major(s): Engineering (Computer Engineering or Financial Engineering)
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 4.06
Weighted HS GPA: 5.4
Class Rank: potential valedictorian
SAT Scores: Math 800/ELA 670 (retaking in December)
HS coursework
Computer Science Magnet Program
AP Computer Science Principles: 5
AP Computer Science A: 4
AP Statistics: 5
AP Chemistry: 4
currently taking: AP lang & comp, AP physics, AP calc BC, AP US History, AP microeconomics, AP macroeconomics, honors computer science data structures & algorithms
Awards:
Outstanding Achievement Award in Computer Science 2024
AP Scholar with Honor Award
College Board Outstanding Academic Achievement National Recognition Award
Class President x 2 years
Battle of the Classes
HS Soccer Team
HS Track & Field
TSA
Chess Club
Math League
DECA
Sports Medicine Club
Club Soccer Team
Volunteer hours 100+ including project for rehab center that he has worked with for 3 years. Created and implemented a digital system to track the circulation of books and led collection efforts to supply books and a cart to bring the library to patient’s rooms.
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
Overcame significant health challenges requiring cardiac surgery during high school.
So you’re a Junior - it’s a bit early to say - especially with the SAT.
Your rigor is a bit off the charts. Your ECs seem good. Of course, we don’t know about essays and LORs or what your ECs entail - you’ll want a couple that have significant effort and I’m sure the soccer and track handle that - but you have much more including leadership (2x President of class).
So I’d surmise Rutgers and Va Tech are givens.
UF and UMD are likely. But if you wanted a few other “in the bag” - Ohio State, UMN, Umass are all strong.
The rest - unsure - but I think Tulane is a reasonable in and near certain if you ED but perhaps if you EA, especially given full pay.
I imagine if the English comes up a bit - any are possible - but possible doesn’t mean likely. UNC might be amongst the hardest admits on your list given their inability to take OOS kids in huge #s. Vandy will be tough too with a 1470.
I mean, you’re talking about a sub 7% acceptance rate with many ED (athletes, etc.) so really less.
I believe Duke superscores the SAT but interestingly, they only note superscoring the ACT. I cannot find any comment related to the SAT - so that could hurt.
I’ve known kids turned down at Duke who go to Ivies - so there’s no way to say.
Someone is getting in. Your profile is good enough so why not you?
But they reject studs for fun - so that’s the issue.
I can’t chance you but if you’ve done all you can, then take your shot.
PS - I’m surprised you don’t have Cornell or UIUC on your list which I think in your areas of interest would e stronger (maybe i’m wrong).
Have you looked at programs like Purdue or Lehigh IBE? Just curious given your interests (as I perceive them) if they might be a fit?
Sure - I didn’t mean to throw on those two - I did due to the IBE programs. Look at one of those. Just thought it might (or not) hit the engineering/finance intersection for you. No problem if not. They are unique programs.
They definitely have interesting programs so I’ll add them to my list, thank you!
Do you think the cardiac surgery during high school has an impact? I plan to mention in my essay. I actually missed 1 month of school freshman year and took Algebra 2 virtually in addition to keeping A’s in my classes during that time.
Most people would highlight a medical issue due to a grade loss.
Sure, you can write an essay about dedication and this is an example.
On the flipside, might it scare them away, like you may have an issue they won’t want to deal with?
In the end, does mentioning it add to your candidacy ? If so, write an essay.
But mention it - no. Why ? You did not struggle because of it.
Personally, I’d write about something else but if you can weave an essay to highlight yourself, to show your personality, drive etc or how you fit there, then sure.
The best advice I’ve heard about this is that if it defines you and is an important part of your story, then write about it in an essay. If it’s not critical to your overall story, then don’t include. If you don’t put it in an essay, then do put it in the additional information. It’s relevant information that would be useful for admissions counselors to see. You might also ask your counselor to include it in their letter.
Like Princeton, Columbia also has a well-respected financial engineering major. Neither are big sporty schools. Cornell and Michigan fit the bill better.
I would, at the very least, put the cardiac surgery in the brag sheet you send to your teachers/counselor so they can speak to your level of performance in class around the time of your surgery.
Thankfully the heart condition was cured with a 4 hour cardiac ablation surgery so hopefully the schools wouldn’t worry about any issues while I’m in college. It is on my brag sheet to teachers but all the teachers and my counselor were aware bc of the 1 month of school missed. I definitely don’t want to write the essay only about the surgery but just though it might add to showing my dedication and perseverance.
Have you taken at least 3 years (and ideally through AP) of a foreign language? The tippy top private schools will look for that. I am less sure about state schools (though I am sure you want to exceed whatever their min. recommendations are). If you can’t do this, due to the magnet programs, make sure the counselor notes this or it is clear on school profile!
I would note this in the additional information or have your counselor provide context for it in their LoR. I wouldn’t do your main essay about it, necessarily.
Yes I have 3 years of Spanish but because of my magnet program, one year was in school and the other 2 years were virtual and accepted by my HS and on my transcript as Pass. I do have the transcript from the virtual school and received A+ both years but am not counting that in my GPA. I haven’t taken AP Spanish.
