I am planning to study Chem in college, and I need to add another match or a reach school as I finalize my college list. I don’t want something that is out of my reach, and I would be fine with another match school (I have like 7 matches so far). I also want a school with of course, a solid chem program. I’m currently looking at JHU, UT Austin, or GA Tech to add to my list.
Here are my stats:
GPA: 3.75 UW (bad sophomore year)/4.1 W (upward trend after dip in sophomore year, think of it as an upside down bell curve)
SAT (highest sitting): 2210 (680CR/800M/730W/10E)
SAT (superscore): 2220 (see above, but 690 CR)
SAT II: 770 Math 2 770 Chem
RETAKING SAT 1 IN NOVEMBER (aiming for 2250+ or 2300+ superscore), SUBJECT TESTS IN OCTOBER (I know I can get 800 in both). Taking the ACT for first and only time in September, aiming for 34+.
AP Scores: 5- Chem, APUSH, Chinese; 4- APLAC (ewww but school does not offer this course)
AP Planned: Macro (semester), US Gov (Semester), Lit, Calc AB (possibly BC), Physics 1
Honors Course taken (school only offers 7, 4 of which are languages.): Chinese, Chem, Lit, Pre-Calc.
i’m looking at the these three schools, so please give me suggestions which ones I should add to my list!
@“Erin’s Dad” my family has no need for financial aid, we can afford any school. Since money isn’t that big of a problem, I’m just looking for a school to fit my needs right now.
Of the three you probably have the best chance at GT. UT mostly uses Class Rank for admission and based on your grades I would guess yours is not very high.
UT Austin’s flagship campus guarantees automatic admission to those ranked in the top seven percent of their Texas high school graduating class (it was originally 10% but has shrunk in the past few years). Students who fall outside of that category (be they instate or out of state) are evaluated holistically. It appears that only 7% of freshmen were from out of state in fall 2014:
The above link also indicates that UT admitted 53% of instate freshmen applicants and 32% of OOS freshmen applicants. Your SAT scores are above average for OOS applicants, but you don’t list EC’s, awards, & work experience, which are a factor in the way UT calculates your “Personal Achievement Index”.
@“Erin’s Dad” yep. Unfortunately that’s where you’re absolutely correct. I am ranked anywhere from top quarter to top third in my class (rankings haven’t been released yet). However, according to my school’s previous admissions data, lots of people with my stats (lower and higher) have gotten into UT Austin before. My dad and his friend compiled all the data for 2015 admits, and my UW GPA is slightly lower (by like .03 I believe) and my current SAT score is ~50 points higher than the average of those who were admitted. Also, I talked to my dad about Georgia Tech yesterday, and he didn’t really like it. My parents said unless the school was absolutely exceptional, the states they would like me go to were California, Washington, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and maybe Rhode Island. They made a few exceptions here and there, but that’s pretty much it.
OP and @ErinsDad , for Gtech, GPA and rigor of high school courses are considered “Very Important” not SAT/ACT scores (“Important”). For more details, check their CDS.