u/MotorOwn5031

Dear [last name],

I am a student at REDACTED, and I am interested in learning whether there are any research opportunities in your [lab name]. I have been passionate about computer science for many years, and I have pursued this interest through relevant coursework at school. I have also gained relevant experience through completing a paid data analysis internship REDACTED DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I DID, participating in REDACTED SUMMER PROGRAM, and winning REDACTED Hackathon. I recently read your paper on [topic/field] and was particularly interested in [key insight]. Would you be free to chat in the upcoming weeks about your work, and any opportunities that are currently available? I greatly appreciate your time, and look forward to discussing further.

*the summer program is not prestigious by the way

Dear [last name],

I am a student at REDACTED, and I am interested in learning whether there are any research opportunities in your [lab name]. I have been passionate about computer science for many years, and I have pursued this interest through relevant coursework at school. I have also gained relevant experience through completing a paid data analysis internship REDACTED DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I DID, participating in REDACTED SUMMER PROGRAM, and winning REDACTED Hackathon. I recently read your paper on [topic/field] and was particularly interested in [key insight]. Would you be free to chat in the upcoming weeks about your work, and any opportunities that are currently available? I greatly appreciate your time, and look forward to discussing further.

*the summer program is not prestigious btw

I’m currently working through AOPS Volume 1 and what I’m noticing is that I do ok for the questions in the chapter, but really struggle on the review problems at the end. Like I can solve one third to one half of the review problems depending on the chapter. Is this bad? What should I do to fix this?

I’m currently working through AOPS Volume 1 and what I’m noticing is that I do ok for the questions in the chapter, but really struggle on the review problems at the end. Like I can solve one third to one half of the review problems depending on the chapter. Is this bad? What should I do to fix this?

I literally have no clue what range of schools I should be applying to. Please help me out!

Info: don't consider cost or other factors, purely judge based on my potential to be admitted

Demographics: Asian Male, Middle/Upper Middle Class (no hooks)

Intended major(s): CS

Academics:

• SAT: 1550 (790 Math 760 Reading)
• Class rank: Top 2% Out Of 600 (auto admit for UT)
• UW/W GPA: 3.98 UW
• Coursework: 20+ APs taken I won't list them all out here but the most relevant ones are Calc BC, CSA, Physics 1, AP Bio
• Awards: (not in order)
• 1x Aime Qual
• Usaco Gold
• Big Company Name Hackathon Winner (30ish teams)
• should be a NM Semifinalist (higher index than cutoff has ever been for my state)
• Other smaller hackathon wins
• Wins in regional debate competitions
• Participated in (and won) in world record event for violin (this was in middle school though)
• Finished in the top 5 teams at a international case competition (~70 teams, 300 competitors) its a business competition though should I include it?

Extracurriculars: (keeping it vague on purpose also not in order)

• Research under a professor at local uni
• App released w/ decent usage
• Intern at local company, did a substatial amount of work
• Research intern at the same local uni
• Did mid level competitive summer program, nothing crazy but still selective
• paid data analyst intern at small company
• Have a company where I create websites/logos for local brands/nonprofits
• Debate Club Leadership Position (plus varsity debater)
• CS Club President
• playing violin for ~10 years, mentored younger students
• Yt channel about math and cs not much views or subs, im still passionate about it though
• Social Media Marketing intern at a nonprofit (I did this for like 2 weeks it was start of freshman year)
• 400 volunteer hours

Rec Letter/Essays:

Assume that they're good but not great like a 8/10 or 7/10

Schools: I'll list some schools ill definetly apply to but other than that Idk tbh, lmk what levels schools I would be competitive at

• UT Austin CS (I would love to go here definetly my goal) what are my chances?
• TAMU CS
• GT CS
• UCs (mainly Berkeley)

Questions/Comments: 

1. Am I too much of a jack of all trades master of none?
2. What are my chances at the schools I mentioned
3. what other schools should I apply to + do I have any chances at other T20s/T10s/HYPSM
4. I'll edit this post to include any other things that I forgot about

I used the chance me format to make it easier

Demographics: Asian Male, Middle/Upper Middle Class (no hooks)

Intended major(s): CS

Academics:

• SAT: 1550 (790 Math 760 Reading)
• Class rank: Top 2% Out Of 600 (auto admit for UT)
• UW/W GPA: 3.98 UW
• Coursework: 20+ APs taken I won't list them all out here but the most relevant ones are Calc BC, CSA, Physics 1, AP Bio
• Awards: (not in order)
• 1x Aime Qual
• Usaco Gold
• Big Company Name Hackathon Winner (30ish teams)
• should be a NM Semifinalist (higher index than cutoff has ever been for my state)
• Other smaller hackathon wins
• Wins in regional debate competitions
• Participated in (and won) in world record event for violin (this was in middle school though)
• Finished in the top 5 teams at a international case competition (~70 teams, 300 competitors) its a business competition though should I include it?

Extracurriculars: (keeping it vague on purpose also not in order)

• Research under a professor at local uni
• App released w/ decent usage
• Intern at local company, did a substatial amount of work
• Research intern at the same local uni
• Did mid level competitive summer program, nothing crazy but still selective
• paid data analyst intern at small company
• Have a company where I create websites/logos for local brands/nonprofits
• Debate Club Leadership Position (plus varsity debater)
• CS Club President
• playing violin for ~10 years, mentored younger students
• Yt channel about math and cs not much views or subs, im still passionate about it though
• Social Media Marketing intern at a nonprofit (I did this for like 2 weeks it was start of freshman year)
• 400 volunteer hours

Rec Letter/Essays:

Assume that they're good but not great like a 8/10 or 7/10

Comments: Do I have any chance for honors programs? (Turing, CSB)

I literally have no clue what range of schools I should be applying to. Please help me out!

Info: don't consider cost or other factors, purely judge based on my potential to be admitted

Demographics: Asian Male, Middle/Upper Middle Class (no hooks)

Intended major(s): CS

Academics:

• SAT: 1550 (790 Math 760 Reading)

• Class rank: Top 2% Out Of 600

• UW/W GPA: 3.98 UW

• Coursework: 20+ APs taken I won't list them all out here but the most relevant ones are Calc BC, CSA, Physics 1, AP Bio

• Awards: (not in order)

• 1x Aime Qual

• Usaco Gold

• Big Company Name Hackathon Winner (30ish teams)

• should be a NM Semifinalist (higher index than cutoff has ever been for my state)

• Other smaller hackathon wins

• Wins in regional debate competitions

• Participated in (and won) in world record event for violin (this was in middle school though)

• Finished in the top 5 teams at a international case competition (~70 teams, 300 competitors) its a business competition though should I include it?

Extracurriculars: (keeping it vague on purpose also not in order)

• Research under a professor at local uni
• App released w/ decent usage
• Intern at local company, did a substatial amount of work
• Research intern at the same local uni
• Did mid level competitive summer program, nothing crazy but still selective
• paid data analyst intern at small company
• Have a company where I create websites/logos for local brands/nonprofits
• Debate Club Leadership Position (plus varsity debater)
• CS Club President
• playing violin for ~10 years, mentored younger students
• Yt channel about math and cs not much views or subs, im still passionate about it though
• Social Media Marketing intern at a nonprofit (I did this for like 2 weeks it was start of freshman year)
• 400 volunteer hours

Rec Letter/Essays:

Assume that they're good but not great like a 8/10 or 7/10

Schools: I'll list some schools ill definetly apply to but other than that Idk tbh, lmk what levels schools I would be competitive at

• UT Austin CS (I would love to go here definetly my goal) what are my chances?
• TAMU CS
• GT CS

Questions/Comments: 

1. Am I too much of a jack of all trades master of none?
2. What are my chances at the schools I mentioned
3. what other schools should I apply to + do I have any chances at other T20s/T10s/HYPSM
4. I'll edit this post to include any other things that I forgot about

I literally have no clue what range of schools I should be applying to. Please help me out!

Info: don't consider cost or other factors, purely judge based on my potential to be admitted

Demographics: Asian Male, Middle/Upper Middle Class (no hooks)

Intended major(s): CS

Academics:

• SAT: 1550 (790 Math 760 Reading)
• Class rank: Top 2% Out Of 600 (auto admit for UT)
• UW/W GPA: 3.98 UW
• Coursework: 20+ APs taken I won't list them all out here but the most relevant ones are Calc BC, CSA, Physics 1, AP Bio
• Awards: (not in order)
• 1x Aime Qual
• Usaco Gold
• Big Company Name Hackathon Winner (30ish teams)
• should be a NM Semifinalist (higher index than cutoff has ever been for my state)
• Other smaller hackathon wins
• Wins in regional debate competitions
• Participated in (and won) in world record event for violin (this was in middle school though)
• Finished in the top 5 teams at a international case competition (~70 teams, 300 competitors) its a business competition though should I include it?

Extracurriculars: (keeping it vague on purpose also not in order)

• Research under a professor at local uni
• App released w/ decent usage
• Intern at local company, did a substatial amount of work
• Research intern at the same local uni
• Did mid level competitive summer program, nothing crazy but still selective
• paid data analyst intern at small company
• Have a company where I create websites/logos for local brands/nonprofits
• Debate Club Leadership Position (plus varsity debater)
• CS Club President
• playing violin for ~10 years, mentored younger students
• Yt channel about math and cs not much views or subs, im still passionate about it though
• Social Media Marketing intern at a nonprofit (I did this for like 2 weeks it was start of freshman year)
• 400 volunteer hours

Rec Letter/Essays:

Assume that they're good but not great like a 8/10 or 7/10

Schools: I'll list some schools ill definetly apply to but other than that Idk tbh, lmk what levels schools I would be competitive at

• UT Austin CS (I would love to go here definetly my goal) what are my chances?
• TAMU CS
• GT CS

Questions/Comments: 

1. Am I too much of a jack of all trades master of none?
2. What are my chances at the schools I mentioned
3. what other schools should I apply to + do I have any chances at other T20s/T10s/HYPSM
4. I'll edit this post to include any other things that I forgot about