I’m not really sure what schools I have a chance of getting into, I’m going to borrow a lot stuff from this thread, which gave me the idea for this thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1780392-i-dont-know-what-schools-i-should-aim-for.html
I have one safety picked out, UT Austin. I have automatic admission (I live in Texas and I am ranked high enough in my class), it is a modest drive away from home, and I would like to go there (obviously a major plus). I don’t really feel like I need any other safeties since I would want to go there, but I’m open for suggestions.
- 4.0 UW GPA
- My school does weighted GPA differently, so giving my weighted GPA, 7.06, is probably meaningless to you guys.
- However, rank is based on weighted GPA, putting me at 4 out of 520 (top 1%).
- 2080 SAT (660 R, 700 M, 720 W, 10 essay)
- 30 ACT (33 E, 33 M, 28 R, 26 S, 8 essay) (Is my SAT better by the way?)
- Most rigorous class schedule
- I am taking SAT Subject Tests this weekend (Math Level 2 and Chemistry; I've been scoring mid-700s in practice)
- NHS Member
- High School Tennis: 2x Team Tennis State Champion, 1x Team Tennis State Finalist, 1x Individual State Qualifier
- Outside High School: Ranked 470 in the U.S. for Class of 2016, in the highest division of junior tennis in Texas,
spend 15-20 hours a week training.
- I am confident in my ability to write solid essays and get good teacher recommendations.
- Intended Major: Computer Science
I do think I want to play college tennis, if it is convenient. I would love to go to MIT because they have a great CS program and also a team I could play for, but I have no idea if I even have a shot at getting in. Some others schools I’m thinking about that are good schools and have a team I could play for or walk-on are: UChicago, Johns Hopkins, Case Western, and Carnegie Mellon. I think I also might apply to Stanford for the heck of it. If I end up going to big schools like Stanford or UT Austin I’ll probably keep playing tennis on the side, which I wouldn’t terribly mind.
So I guess I’m wondering, are all of these schools I’m discussing all way out of reach? Like I said though, even if none of them work out, I wouldn’t mind going to UT Austin.
Your ACT/SAT are a little low for UChicago, MIT, CMU and Johns Hopkins. Could you possibly be a recruited athlete? That would help your chances. Are you a URM? Are you male?
I would add UT Dallas as a safety and TX A&M. Apply to A&M in August. This is just in case you don’t get into Computer Science at UT. You most likely will but there is a lot of competition. Auto admit does not guarantee you will get your choice of majors. UT D will give you money most likely.
Figure out if you are full pay, will qualify for financial aid or will need merit money. You have great stats and should do well in admissions.
Your SAT is better, but your ACT adds a substantiating data point that gives it some value. CWRU is particularly in reach for you. If you add the University of Rochester and also consider a few smaller colleges with good CS programs, you will have the foundation of an excellent list.
You have a rock solid safety that you are happy with. So I would only spend your efforts where you would prefer over UT. You will want to take the time to make really well crafted applications for your reaches so you don’t want to dilute your efforts.
Your SAT and ACT aren’t that different. Schools seem to mainly look at M+CR. But the SAT does have a little edge so I would submit that. I would consider a Lit or History SAT II if you can handle it to show strength across the board which is what all your target schools look for. You are just showing a bit lower skills in the CR that would be ideal.
At UT Austin, apply to one of the Honors Programs.
I’m not sure you need other safeties if you’ve run the NPC and you’re certain it’s affordable. If you need merit, you’ve got a guaranteed full tuition scholarship at UALabama plus honors college, honors dorm, and various perks (like a $2,500 stipend). So you have another safety right there.
For tennis, the Claremonts rule, and HarveyMudd is a terrific school for anyone interested in CS; not sure you have the stats but as a recruited athlete you may have a shot. There’s also JHU. Both would be reaches.
At the stronger D3 schools (Chicago, MIT, Hopkins, Claremonts, and CMU) I believe your national ranking will need to be better to get a tip by the coach. Case carries a large team so you may have some luck there. I would say there is no chance of playing at UT Austin or Stanford. SAT and ACT are on the low side for these schools also. Check out Stevens and RPI if you want to play tennis and study computer science.
Retake the SAT/ACT. If you can raise them to 2300/35, the rest of your profile gives you a solid shot at ivies.