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Hi,

I am a senior in high school in NJ (a Chinese male) applying to the following schools for computer engineering (some have electrical combined with it):

Carnegie Mellon, University of Michigan (brother is currently a junior there), Cornell, Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute, and maybe (as high reach schools) Stanford and California Institute of Technology.

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Here's an overview of my credentials:

SAT's: 1430; 650 Verbal 780 Math

SAT II's: Chemistry 700 (77%), Writing and Math IIC awaiting scores (Math almost definite 700+ although I am uncertain of the curve)

Total 5 AP classes taken out of the six offered in my school: Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, English, US History

Class Rank: 6/243 GPA: 4.26 Weighted (Don't know unweighted)

Attended NJ Governor's School of Engineering and Technology at Rutgers University (was nominated by school and picked by state, paid for by state of NJ), National Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington DC, John Hopkins's Center for Talented Youth in Lancaster, PA (2 years, one for writing, the other for physics)

Awarded Homer S. Pace award for Business (Pace University)

School nominee for United States Senate Youth Program (state will pick 2 students)

President of my class, Secretary of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of Amercia), Participated in Indoor and Outdoor Track all four years, Interact Club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Concert Band (freshman year), Science League Participant (2 years)

I have started my own small business of building and repairing computers, and modifying and repairing XBOX's and Playstation 2's.

I have travelled during most of my school vacations and summers to locations such as China, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Canada, Aruba, many small Caribbean islands, and all across the US. (I know certain applications want me to list my travels)

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I am probably missing something but that is mainly what I'll be able to put on my applications. What do you guys think are my chances at the schools I listed above, assuming I write a good essay, but nothing so superb and outstanding. What are some other good engineering schools I should look at? I don't want a tiny school and I normally prefer a more urban environment. Thanks for your input and suggestions.

By Wenstinator (Wenstinator) on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Unfortunately I cannot edit my message so I have to post a new message.
As a side note, my uncle is a professor at RPI. I don't know how much that helps because he is part of my extented family.

By Pgs1300 (Pgs1300) on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 10:12 pm: Edit

Your classification is right. U.michigan and RPI will be safeties or lower matches. Cornell and carnegie mellon will be good matches and stanford is not a very big reach you could get in.Caltech is quite far of because they want almost impossible stats. Which major are intending to take up .Please look at my stats at

Chances at engineering schools Cornell(ED),RPI,U.mich...

By Wenstinator (Wenstinator) on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 12:01 am: Edit

Anyone else? :/

By Cmaher (Cmaher) on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 12:51 am: Edit

I think Cornell is a match. CMU may be a slight reach if you apply for computer science. CalTech is a reach unless your business is a serious and substantial one.

By Wenstinator (Wenstinator) on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 06:17 pm: Edit

thanks to everyone who responded. my SAT2 scores came back and weren't that great. i got 740 math IIc and only a 580 in the writing. i am taking both again in december and plan on hopefully imporving and math and shooting for 650+ writing. do u think those sat2 scores will hurt me?