"THE" CMU 2015 CHANCE Thread-- Please STOP creating New chance Threads

Colleges & Universities Carnegie Mellon University
261

<p>My understanding is that CMU does not hold it against a student if a school does not offer many APs or restricts the number of AP classes a student takes. There are many fine private schools that have abandoned the AP system entirely. Personally, I think our public school has an excessive number of APs. I couldn’t figure out why the administration pushed kids to take APs as early as Freshman year but the HS rankings calculate number of AP tests per graduating senior and also average test scores. Well the precocious 9th and 10th graders often will take one or two APs and generally get 4s or 5s so this really helps the stats and masks the mediocre performance of the average student on the tests. So my son took 3 APs as a sophomore…and junior and senior year these students usually take 6 or 7 AP/IB classes each YEAR. My son says the best preparation of his high school years was learning how to do multiple all nighters each week. However, even with a 5 on BC calc, he thinks he should repeat some of the calc before moving on…he was taught to the AP test and isn’t fully confident that he really knows the material in the same way he would if he took the course at CMU. </p>

<p>Ironically, w hile the schools push the good students to take many AP classes, it is the mediocre student that should really be taking one or two of these classes before they hit college. The mediocre student who takes AP classes tend to have a better chance of successfully completing their first year of college than the same type of student that never gets a chance to try this type of curriculum before starting college. </p>

<p>Don’t be intimidated by the students on CC…they are more a reflection of the schools and school districts they come from and aren’t all geniuses. I went to a top 20 Uni coming from an horrendous school district --I had never written a footnote or a bibliography–and went into a special program for kids who wanted to study social sciences with lots of research writing–I was one of 3 of 20 kids from a public school. It was a tough adjustment to the workload the first semester but after that I was fine and I found I had more energy and excitement about learning than the kids that came from the uber competitive prep schools who were, frankly, a bit burned out.</p>

262

<p>Thank you so much for the imformative reply. I actually turned down an acceptance to a very prestigious public-science focused high school, where students took multplie AP science classes a year from freshman year, for my high school, which is not the greatest, for a less cuthroat atmosphere.</p>

<p>My high school offers about 10 AP’s, but only allow them to be taken in senior year, and no more than 2. I think I’ll be able to take three next year, but I’m not sure. I would like a harder courseload, to prepare me for college/med school.</p>

263

<p>Applying for engineering, CIT.</p>

<p>96% average, weighted. I’m not sure what that converts to. 4.0?</p>

<p>4 on US History AP, taking Calculus and English Literature AP this year.</p>

<p>SAT’s (taken a year ago)
670 Reading
660 Math
750 Writing</p>

<p>Subject
620 Physics
730 Math 2</p>

<p>ACT’s
35 English (32 combined)
35 Math
32 Reading
30 Science
33 Composite</p>

<p>Random useful bits:
I’m president of my church’s and school’s Christian youth groups. This year, I raised the membership of the school youth group to 4X it’s original number. The church youth group volunteers every second Saturday.</p>

<p>VP of National Honor Society, National Merit Commended Scholar.</p>

<p>I’m 4th out of about 90 in my grade. I have no clue how or why that happened, I was sure I was Salutatorian…I’m still top 5% though.</p>

<p>I run Cross Country and Track, I’m a captain, but that doesn’t mean much, it’s a small school. Decent times, but I can’t imagine Carnegie Mellon recruits, it doesn’t have scholarships or anything.</p>

<p>I will be visiting Carnegie Mellon for Sleeping Bag Weekend later this month. I’ll get to talk to professors, admissions, coaches, get an interview. I figure it’ll help.</p>

<p>Both of my essays, I believe, were very good. They do not worry me.</p>

<p>Really, my main worry is my physics SAT. The story on that is that I realized about November that SAT Subject Tests were required. I’m pretty good with advanced math, but I’m only taking physics THIS YEAR, so I was definitely ill-prepared (I actually asked my physics teacher to mention this in his recommendation.) I can’t imagine that one aspect of my application can be that damaging - can it? What are your thoughts? Thanks!</p>

264

<p>Shark
Why did you send the SAT scores if you took the ACT? Your ACT is very strong- -but your math score on the ACT is weak.
Regarding the physics score-- yes, that’s low-- but if you had noted in your app that you took it before taking physics that will be overlooked if your mid year AP Physics grade is high.</p>

<p>For future applicants-- you do not have to send SAT and ACT-- one or the other–especially if one is much better.</p>

265

<p>I am, in fact, registered to take the SAT. They would probably receive it before judging me - I didn’t send in the application super early. I have considered switching to the subject tests again. Would you recommend taking the regular SAT to prove that I can do better? Would that be more important than improving subject scores? Thank you for the advice.</p>

266

<p>

</p>

<p>…F. M. L. I sent both because it said it required ALL scores…sigh.</p>

267

<p>Yeah, some colleges require that. I believe CMU does, too.</p>

268

<p>when the schools say “all scores” they mean all the scores on the particular test that you are relying on for admission and then they generally superscore from the various attempts. That does not mean you have to send in both your ACTs and SATs. The college board lets students select which tests you send…so imagine you get a SAT 650M and 800V the first time and a 730M and 720V the second time…you are not supposed to take advantage of score selection offered by the college board but you must send both. If you take the SAT II MAth II three times 630, 700, 730…they expect to see all three not just the 730. But, if you take the SAT I once and the ACT once and you do much better on the latter, you only need to send in the ACT. </p>

<p>I don’t quite know why they do this since they say they superscore anyway. My son did much better the second time on the SAT and definitely improved his SAT II math score…I don’t think they held it against him that he took those twice. Perhaps if you take the SAT I 5 or 6 times after getting a 2220 the first time trying to get a perfect score it would hurt you because no one wants to have a neurotic perfectionist on their campus.</p>

269

<p>Back 4 years ago when my son and I were visiting colleges most of the selective schools said they would super score the SAT up to 3 sittings. If you took more than 3 then they said they wouldn’t super score any.</p>

270

<p>Hahaha, it’s too late for that, I just want in! :P+<</p>

271

<p>Someone please chance me for CMU’s CIT?</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1066955-chance-me-will-chance-back-mit-stanford-nu-cornell-cmu-etc.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1066955-chance-me-will-chance-back-mit-stanford-nu-cornell-cmu-etc.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

272

<p>I’m applying for computer science and mechanical engineering
Stats
ACT: comp:34 Lang:35 Math:34 Reading:35 Science:35 English/writing:31 writing:8
SATII: physics:740 mathII:800 (note these test were in September and this is my first year of physics)</p>

<p>GPA:4.45</p>

<p>Class rank:18/397ish</p>

<p>Essays: good I believe</p>

<p>Rec letters: Math, Tech, and Theory of Knowledge teachers (I have had the math and tech teachers for 4+ years, the math teacher knows that I am probably one of the top two math students in the senior class)</p>

<p>Senior year classes:
IB bio, IB design tech, IB HL math, IB Spanish, IB Lang arts, IB 20th century history</p>

<p>High School: competitive public</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
I am President of my state Technology Student Association. I have done others but this is probably the most important.</p>

<p>Could somebody chance me?</p>

273

<p>mom2012and14 -
Yeah, I really don’t test well in math. But I’m set to get A’s in everything this semester, including Calc and Physics, so hopefully that increases my chances. I know People to People isn’t spectacular, I just figured I’d add it in.
Thank you for your assessment!</p>

274

<p>Indian-American Male from New York
I’m applying to the school of Humanities and Social Sciences (1st choice) and the Institute of Technology for Chemical Engineering (2nd choice)</p>

<p>Competitive Private School (honors and AP level classes)
UW GPA - 97.2
Self studied 5 APs and got 4’s and 5’s on all of them (English Language, Cal AB, Chemistry, Biology, European History)
Rank: 14 out of 434
National Honor Society
National Merit Commended Scholar</p>

<p>SAT = 800 Math, 760 Reading, 800 Writing
SAT Chem - 800, Biology M - 750, Math 2 - 800</p>

<p>Summer Experiences - Ross Mathematics Program, Internship at Hospital in Dubai,</p>

<p>Speech and Debate - 2 ToC Qualifications, Captain, Princeton Classic Semifinalist, Yale Invitational Quarterfinalist, Advanced to Semifinal Round at States, 2nd at Dual-Regionals (2 regions), 2 Time National Qualifier, NFL Degree of Special Distinction</p>

<p>Yearbook - Business Editor for 2 years; Bronze Medal Empire State Association; Scholastic Press Award for Best Business Section in competition (out of over 2000 entries)</p>

<p>Band - (Tenor and Soprano Saxophone) Area All-State, Concert Band First Chair every year, Jazz Band First Chair every year, Pep Band Section Leader, Paid musician for a private company (small time though; about 80 dollars an hour [but I usually only play for two hours tops :P]), Give lessons.</p>

<p>Hospital Volunteers (engineering department) = Over 400 Hours; various service awards; Executive Committee (School leadership position)</p>

<p>Communications Club [President]= basically it’s a Live TV Broadcast for about 15 minutes every morning at our school, giving news, schedule, important EC info, etc.</p>

<p>Brown belt in karate (completely insignificant, but I felt like throwing this in anyway lol)</p>

<p>Shred metal guitarist (John Petrucci <333, Paul Gilbert, Jeff Loomis, Steve Vai Style)
Somewhat-decent bassist.</p>

275

<p>I applied to CIT, undecided.
I attend an international private school (in Japan), applying as U.S. resident.</p>

<p>Stats:
UW GPA - 3.87 (excluding 9th grade, including mid-year report.)
Significant upward curve, no Bs since end of 10th grade.</p>

<p>Full IB Diploma, Higher Level Physics, Japanese, Math, Economics. Standard Level Chemistry, English.</p>

<p>SAT: 700 Writing, 780 Math, 700 Reading
SAT II: 800 Math 2</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>Elected Vice President of High School 2 years in a row,
Speech Contest medalist,
President/Co-founder of Math team (which placed top 5 in numerous international competitions)
School record AMC and AIME
Private Tutor of 8 kids, ranging from 8 to 17 years old.
Some minor work experience,
attended Mathzoom summer program one year,
other minor clubs/sports/service/awards.</p>

<p>My chances? Thanks in advance!</p>

276

<p>Bump, please chance me</p>

277

<p>applying for ECE
Stats
ACT: comp:34 Lang:35 Math:34 Reading:35 Science:33 English/writing:32 writing:9
SATII - US History-800 Chemistry- 770 Math- 700</p>

<p>GPA:3.82 unweighted</p>

<p>Class rank:school doesn’t rank</p>

<p>Essays: i liked them…</p>

<p>Rec letters: no clue. signed away my right to see them. </p>

<p>Senior year classes:
BC Calc, Theory of knowledge, AP physics, AP composition, AP psychology, AP government, honors photography, engineering applications, </p>

<p>High School: competitive public</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
National History Day, photography stuff, Varsity lacrosse (was captain of JV), weightlifting club, tutoring, VEX robotics, Latin Club, was an “art ambassador” for the Cleveland Museum of Art</p>

<p>Awards:
National History Day- National Finalist; two time state finalist (10th and 11th grade)
Scholastic Art Awards- gold key in photography (10th and 12th grade)
RIT computing medal
National Merit Semifinalist
a bunch of medals for the National Latin Exam</p>

<p>Chances?</p>

278

<p>@dude222225: You have a decent shot. ECE is very competitive, and what might give you the edge is the fact that your EC’s aren’t all programming and robotics related. I’d say you are well on track, so don’t be surprised if you get the fat envelope.</p>

279

<p>bump bump …</p>

280

<p>Well if there is a thread for it, </p>

<p>32 ACT
Top 10%
3.67-3.7
300 Hours of research at hospital</p>