I am looking to major in Computer Science, maybe a double major, English thrown in. I’m putting together a possible list of colleges to apply to and I want to if liberal arts colleges provide a good CS education and scope for future careers.
If yes, which LACs should I look at for CS? I need possibly 2 LACs which would be reach/target schools to apply to, so maybe think selective LACs good for CS. I’m also applying to tech-based schools, so LACs are kind of a backup for now, although if someone suggests a top LAC for CS, it could actually be a dream school.
Oh, sorry for not giving that information. 3.92-94 GPA UW, 35 ACT sophomore year and may take again, 6 AP classes, 2 college courses [AP and college self studied]. 5’s on most AP tests. Pretty solid ECs and awards.
By backup, I meant I preferred tech-based schools over LACs unless there is some LAC good for CS. If I weren’t accepted to my top-choice tech schools, I would love to apply to LACs good for CS and weigh my chances.
For suggestions representing geographical range, look into the excellent CS programs at Carleton, Grinnell, Pomona, Williams, Amherst and Hamilton. From this group, Grinnell, Amherst and Hamilton offer notably flexible curricula especially suitable for students with diverse academic interests.
This article, while not designed specifically as an evaluation of CS programs (although tech-heavy schools such as Georgia Tech, CMU and HMC appear), touches on those of a few LACs:
Thank you! Pomona and Amherst look like almost reach schools to me, although I shall certainly look into applying to them. Carleton and Williams I’m looking at carefully.
If you prefer tech based schools, there are plenty of them that are less competitive than the tippy tops - schools like RPI for a match, and Michigan Tech for a true safety (and you would see merit at both).
Case Western would be another good match that gives scholarships,
Run the NPCs on every school on your list and make sure it’s affordable before applying. Not all schools meet full need and those that do tend to be the most competitive. You will need to cast a wide net for CS and high ranked LACs are not going to be easier to get into.
They have a requirement of roughly 10 ‘non-STEM’ courses plus a requirement of ‘STEM’ courses outside of your major (e.g., I think everyone is taking a bio course, a chem course, etc.)
Note that with respect to majors chosen, HMC appears heavily tech-focused. Even within STEM, students concentrate in limited areas, with few chemistry and general mathematics majors and none in geology/geosciences.
That makes some sense to me. If you can get into HMC you get in anywhere and if you know you want to study chemistry you are likely to pick somewhere else . . . though I do not know where. (Math, being very interesting, seems like it would attract more students who enjoy STEM subjects but don’t have a particular major in mind . . . that could be my pro-math bias showing through, however).
My thinking is that HMC makes sense if you have non-STEM interests and want to avail yourself of those opportunities there (at HMC or the other Claremont colleges) while still maximizing your STEM learning. I am certainly not an expert on these things, but it is a school that I looked into recently.
(Math, being very interesting, seems like it would attract more students who enjoy STEM subjects but don’t have a particular major in mind . . . that could be my pro-math bias showing through, however).