<p>Application already submitted for priority deadline</p>
<p>Already accepted to Rutgers New Brunswick for Engineering </p>
<p>GPA (weighted) - 4.84
GPA (unweighted) - 3.9
Class Rank - 32/354
SAT (CR/M) - 1190… not good at taking tests
ACT - 29</p>
<p>Classes:
AP Chemistry
AP US History
AP Statistics
AP World History
AP Physics C
AP Calculus BC
AP Computer Science
Rest were honors except for electives
Mostly A’s with the exception of a few mid-high B’s in AP Chemistry, AP US History, and AP Statistics
Future Major: Material Science and Engineering </p>
<p>Background:
Low income family
White
Public School
Separated parents
First in my immediate family to go to college</p>
<p>EC:
Service Hours: 450+
Computer Club (2 years) - President
National Honor Society (2 years) - Committee Member
Physics Club (1 year)
Science League (2 years) - Top Competitor
American Computer Science League (2 years) - Top Competitor
Law Enforcement Explorers (4 years) - Corporal (One of the higher rankings)
Ice Hockey (4 years) - Goalie
Key Club (1 year)</p>
<p>Awards:
A couple regional championships with hockey
Several Explorer awards for tenure and service hours
Student of the month (big deal at my school)</p>
<p>Others:
Single-handedly raised over $80+ for various charities
Participated in technology competition</p>
<p>Recommendations:
1 Guidance Counselor
1 Teacher (It was very well written)</p>
<p>First off, congrats on your acceptance to Rutgers Engineering!</p>
<p>So, good news and some uncertain news. Bear in mind this is all a personal opinion and really has no bearing on what actually counts. However, I think you will likely be accepted to the university itself, and may even be invited to a special program like college park scholars BUT I am not confident about your chance for direct admission to the school of engineering. </p>
<p>Engineering is a LEP (limited enrollment program) and is more competitive for the “seats” than the general admissions for the university. Your grades are great, your classes are excellent, but unfortunately, as you pointed out, your test scores are “low” (for engineering). Maryland is one of those schools that places a lot of emphasis on stats in the admissions process. Two years years ago, when my son applied as a freshman engineer, the profile of the average engineer’s SAT (CR + M) was 1381 with 75% at 1460 and 25% at 1320. So, therein lies the problem with your scores. There is that 25% or below 1320 opening, so there is always hope. However, if I am correct that you are admitted to the university itself but not directly to engineering, it’s not really that big a deal. Fortunately, engineering is only competitive for direct admission. If you complete all the required “gateway” (basic engineering) classes with the minimum grades required, you will be accepted without a problem as an “in-school transfer” after the first year. So, basically, it’s just a hiccup.</p>
<p>Yeah I was kind of thinking the same thing. What do you think about my ACT score? It’s proportionally much better than my SAT. Thank you for the reply</p>
<p>I’ll address myself to direct admission because I agree that there’s a lot of cause for concern. Yes, the ACT is better but it’s far from a world beater. You’re competing with engineers, many of whom excel at taking tests or, to look at it another way, come from high schools where a 29 ACT and 1170 SAT won’t get you a 3.9/4.8 GPA. The admissions counselors will have a book on your high school and will know whether or not your grades are “inflated,” but either way at UMD they’ll still worry about those standardized test scores. Having so many engineering candidates without the ambiguity of your stats, they’ll probably do the safe thing and admit you to the school and allow you to prove you belong in engineering your first several semesters. Show 'em the money.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I didn’t see your ACT score…a 29=1300 which is definitely much closer to where you need to be. So, it’s a closer call and more of a possibility than I initially thought. Understand that it’s still on the “low” side of the accepted engineering average, but it’s razor close, so hang in there and keep the faith.</p>
<p>Thank you jkeil911 and maryversity for the replies. I fully understand that I am on the edge, but I think that will cause them to look at my other qualities to make the call. My GPA is very good (especially for my school), my recommendations are excellent, and my resume is also very strong. I think this should get me in, but just barely. I guess I just have to wait and see</p>
<p>As I said, keep the faith. I know it’s a tough wait until January 31st, especially when so many schools have early decisions coming out December 1st, but hang in there. In the meantime, if you have any questions about engineering at Maryland, feel free to ask. Is Maryland your top choice?</p>
<p>I’m afraid you will be mistaken about UMD’s looking wider than the numbers. It’s a large state school with a lot of apps to process. Process being the operative word. GPA and ACT are the easiest ways to separate the wheat from the chaff. If you make it thru that round, then expect to get a brief look at anything else you have on your resume. Maybe there’s something, like the low income origins, that will catch someone’s eye. Best of luck to you, puckhound. Skate hard and fight hard!</p>
<p>IF you have 5’s on your AP exams such as chem, physics and/or calculus, that could make a difference. So self report those scores (if they are high scores) asap and perhaps that could offset the lowish SAT scores/ACT scores making you a stronger candidate. It could reassure them that you can do the work.</p>
<p>I agree, report those AP scores. Did you take any of the SAT 2 tests? You could send those scores (if they’re good) even if MD doesn’t require them. They will look at them. Be sure to send an e-mail to your admissions rep with any new information or honors you receive before the end of January. Interest counts.</p>
<p>FYI, the AP scores have no bearing on admissions. AP scores count only when you matriculate to potentially give you credit for introductory/core courses so that you can start taking higher level classes sooner, freeing up your schedule for more electives of your choice.</p>