I have a low unwieghted gpa(3.2) and weighted gpa(3.4).
My sat score is 2100
my extracurriculars:
- 3 years IPhone app developement
-software internship summer after junior year where i made an iPhone app that 51 hospitals bought
- took computer science 3 years in high school( intro programming, ap computer science and advanced topics in computer science)
- 4 years track and field
- 2 years cross country
- 1 year football
intended major: computer science
state: New Jersey
does anyone know any schools good for computer science that values-major related extracurriculars and work experience?
thank you
No school values ECs over GPA. That being said you should have a shot at Rutgers &/or TCNJ.
Muchigan Tech is an option. Your test scores are good, I bet you would have a fm good shot to get in at Rose-Hulman.
What’s your budget?
Schools like College of Charleston and UNC Wilmington would be within your reach, with UNC Wilmington having a partnership with NCSU.
Both Rutgers and TCNJ would be reaches for you but look into Rowan. All three would be cheaper since they’re insate publics.
A good college for CS (partnership with IBM and lots of internships) is Marist College in NYS.
@MYOS1634 On the Rutgers site for the admissions profile: “50% had GPA’s between 3.5-4.0”
doesnt that mean some people had below 3.5 and they look at weighted gpa so mine is not far off. plus my sat is higher than the 50% mark(1760 - 2060). why would rutgers be a reach?
Because the bottom 25% are special cases, students who had to overcome special obstacles (homelessness, disability, poverty…) plus legacies and athletes. Your weighted GPA isn’t too far off, which is why it’s a reach, not “out of reach” despite the fact you’re not a special case (assuming here that if you had a special factor you’d have mentioned it).
Another reason it’s a reach is that you’re applying for CS, which typically is a very competitive major.
A safety means you’re well above the top 25%; a match is that you’re roughly at/close to the top 25% threshold and definitely above the median; everything else is a reach, especially if you’re applying for a very competitive major.
@MYOS1634
but they admit by “school” such as arts and science, business and engineering, not by major
“3. Does the major I select on the application affect Rutgers admissions decisions?
No; Rutgers does not “admit to major” but to schools, such as schools of arts and sciences. You may indicate an area of interest when completing the application for undergraduate admission or you may choose “undecided.” If you are admitted to Rutgers University, academic advisers will be available to assist you with declaring a major at the right time.”
And so, you think applying to CS, which is in Arts&Science, won’t be as tough as other majors? That’s quite possible, a gamble but possible.
But that still doesn’t erase the fact your GPA is bottom 25%. Consider it a reach - if you’re admitted, all the better. But if you consider it a match, you risk not having enough matches.
You need a few more schools.
Budget?
If you CR+M >= 1400, then Louisiana Tech would be a full ride for you. Howard is probably full tuition for you.
@ucbalumnus Most likely im going to rutgers becuase its cheap, close to NYC so more job opportunities and better ROI
^but plan everything in case you don’t get into Rutgers - TCNJ and Rowan, for instance, with the honors program and scholarship apps done on time (which is very soon).
My son got into Rutgers as an in-state student with a lower GPA than that. Computer Science might be tougher than regular Arts & Sciences, but you might be able to enter as a regular SAS student and major. If you can pay the out-of-state tuition, you have a decent shot at Temple. If money is no object, you can get into many colleges.
Admission for CS can be very competitive, so you’re going to need to bring something to the Admissions Committee table, so to speak. You need to find colleges where you would stand out (this is where your essay comes in to play, for colleges that accept essays). Regional diversity may help you also stand out, since most CS applicants (if the college asks you to declare a major on their applications) probably have good grades and scores. Depending on your budget, in the East (or within a day’s drive of NJ), think about:
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Connecticut College
Ohio Wesleyan University
Beloit College
Rochester Institute of Technology
U of Rochester
The above are all private colleges. You might try public universities such as U of Minnesota, Ohio University, or South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. SDSM&T will probably be a safety for you, but the course of instruction there is very rigorous. The cost at SDSM&T is relatively low for out-of-staters.
What is your budget? how much will your family pay?
[QUOTE=""]
weighted gpa(3.4).
My sat score is 2100
[/QUOTE]
Does that GPA include everything, even PE and electives? Or is that only academic classes?
@woogzmama i heard that for SAS at rutgers, no one has a specific major until like second semester of sophomore year. Is that true?
If thats true, do the admissions take into consideration that i want to major in cs or do they just see me as an applicant to SAS?
You should just apply as “Undeclared,” as the majority of students do. Most colleges do not require students to declare a major until end of sophomore year, although many students will have decided theirs before then. Some computer science programs are separate from the regular colleges, or part of more selective Engineering schools within a university. Rutgers’ School of Engineering is more selective than SAS.
^ I agree. Because CS at Rutgers is in Arts&Sciences, applying Undeclared/A&S will ensure you don’t suffer from any undeclared CS impaction, without any negative impact on your later choices. Win-win.