Electrical Engineering.

Q: Seriously, I need some guidance here, folks. Applying: CalPoly SLO, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, WUSTL, Emory, *Rice*, UChicago, Stanford, a few state schools for safety. My top choice in this list is Rice and I'd apply ED if anyone thinks I've got a chance... do I? Major: Computer/Electrical Engineering. Future Occupation: Intellectual Property Lawyer -- Attended a large magnet school in s.cal then moved to a VERY large public school in n.cal Rank: Top 5% (class of 900). Stregnth of Senior Courseload: School-record 7 AP classes. College Board: PSAT: 1410(690M, 720V) SAT: 1210 (610M,600V) -- I had a very troubling experience the night before and just had a bad day...I'm retesting and should get around a 1400 (like my PSAT) SAT II: 630 Writing, 600 Math IC, 600 Physics Retesting in all of these! EC's: Pretty good. President of school debate, Varsity Wrestling, Tennis, JV Baseball, 2x Key Club, FBLA, Computer Club Officer, CSF, starting NHS at my school next year. I'm also (one of 3) an editor of our well-respected school paper, take advanced classes at the local Junior college. This summer I will be attending NTLP (National Teen Leadership Program) and attended Boys State California two weeks ago. Numerous awards in creative writing, poetry. Read: my essay will be fairly good. Other: I come from a home with a combined income of about 12,000 yearly, so I've had to work many hours a week from an early age under-the-table. Father: jail Mother: manic depressive. So I've had to pretty much live from day to day.

A: -Berkeley EECS is the most competitive undergrad major in the UC system. EECS applications (as well as those for other engineering majors) are judged by a faculty

panel independent of the admissions office. I have a friend that was rejected with a 4.3 and a 1460. You probably need around SAT I -1500 and SAT II - 2300 to have a good shot, although you should apply no matter what you finally get on your SAT's. The admission rate for EECS last year was 12%. I have a number of friends who had to go to Stanford (where your major does not matter as much in admissions). -Just a note : Uchicago has a comp science dept, not a comp/elec eng dept. I don't know the difference, but I don't think they are totally alike. (Sheesh, that was an overqualifed statement, much like the liquid that tastes almost, but not quite, unlike tea.)