<p>Hi CC. I recently got into Rutgers and, while I'm happy about it, I'd like to know if I can do "better" as far as CS schools. I know Rutgers is a decent school, but it seems like a really mixed bag and I don't know if I'll fit in as well there. I'm already applying to Drexel, RIT, and Binghamton, but are there any other schools I should try for? Or am I already stretching at those schools?</p>
<p>I'm an NJ resident and I'd prefer not to pay 40k/year, but I know I'm not going to be getting much aid at a "better" school anyway. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>GPA unweighted: 3.27
Rank 82/310</p>
<p>AP US History (5) AP Computer Science (3) - took CS as a sophomore</p>
<p>Currently taking:
Honors Spanish IV
CP Physics
Honors Calculus
AP Language and Composition
Journalism II (honors weighted)</p>
<p>SATs:
720 CR
680 Math
690 Writing
(2090 total)</p>
<p>I also played spring and fall soccer for four years and went to some Moot Court Competitions at Princeton.</p>
<p>As far as the price goes, do you have a price limit, and would you get need-based financial aid at schools that give it?</p>
<p>If you do not expect need-based financial aid, but want relatively lower cost schools to add to your choices, see Stony Brook, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, and NCSU. There may not be that compelling a reason to choose them over in-state Rutgers purely on price and academics*, but there may be if you have other criteria that differ between the schools.</p>
<p>*The exception may be if you want to go into patent law, where ABET accreditation of a CS degree program matters. In this case, Stony Brook, Virginia Tech, and NCSU have it, but Rutgers and Minnesota do not. But otherwise, they all have roughly comparable reputations for CS, and ABET accreditation is not normally an issue in CS employment if your degree is from a reputable-for-CS school like these.</p>
<p>I’d say no strict price limit, I really just want to know which schools are within reach. Although my parents together make probably upwards of 120k so I know I’m not getting much help with my credentials.</p>
<p>Stony Brook I had thought about, I was wondering if places like RPI and Lehigh were out of the question. I’ll look into the others too. Thanks.</p>
<p>University of Maryland has best CS for a state university in the East. You may have a real problem getting in with your grades, class rank and NJ residency. Check its CDS. It a definite reach and a step up from Rutgers and your other choices.</p>
<p>“I’m already applying to Drexel, RIT, and Binghamton” Are these really worth the difference in price over Rutgers?</p>
<p>You have decent SAT’s but with relatively low grades. You can try more upmarket private universities like U of Rochester or Lehigh, but those are $40K + tuition. You’ll have to BS your way around your grades to get in.</p>
<p>How about an engineering school like WPI, nerdy but possibly payback in terms of career?</p>
<p>Please excuse that I know next to nothing about colleges, but is WPI known to be of significantly better quality (of education or future career) than the ones I’m applying too? Because the price seems to be the same or higher than those of RIT, RPI, and Lehigh.</p>
<p>Also, Binghamton’s tuition is surprisingly reasonable for out of state (17k) and I’ve read some rankings that put it higher than Rutgers. Go figure.</p>
<p>Yeah I just don’t know if I’ll get in there :x</p>
<p>What I’m hearing here and in other places reaffirms that my grades really hurt me and my chances are on the (much) lower end for anything on a higher tier than Rutgers.</p>
<p>Check college navigator for stats. [College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics) For example, Drexel and RIT have very low 4 year graduation rates - below 30%. WPI is considered overall a better school than RIT or Drexel. RPI a little better than WPI. It would help that you visit these places. If you are going to be spending more money, where do you want to be other than New Brunswick, NJ?</p>
<p>Ummm, Drexel emphasizes co-ops (taking time off school to work at a co-op job), so its four year graduation rate is expected to be low. The normal bachelor’s degree program has 12 quarters of school (the usual number of quarters over 4 academic years) over 5 calendar years, with 3 co-ops interspersed.</p>
<p>There is a 4 year option with 1 co-op for at least some majors.</p>
<p>You can optionally do co-op jobs as a Rutgers student:</p>