Okay so I live in New York so I would like these schools to be relatively close (less that 12 hr drive) but feel free to suggest any schools even if they are in California or something. I am a rising Senior.
UW GPA: 3.7 (I just calculated this myself bc my school doesn’t tell us UW GPA but this may be incorrect bc my school is telling me my WEIGHTED is 3.7)
ACT: 31
English:34
CR:35
Math: 29
Science: 25
SAT:
Math:690
Reading:680
Writing:630
If anything else would be relevant than let me know!
Your math scores on both the ACT and SAT are a concern for some CS programs. CS requires a LOT of math, and often schools expect stronger Math scores if they have competitive admissions into their CS programs.
How much will your family pay each year? That answer will also likely determine where you should apply.
CS academically does have you go up to Calc 2/3 and do Linear Algebra / Diff Eq as well as Discrete and Stats in some cases. It’s not incredibly heavy, but I would say it does qualify as “a LOT of math”.
As far as practically, most software jobs will not require it, but it doesn’t hurt to have.
As far as schools, check out RPI, WPI, and RIT. Reach, high match, and high safety (excluding financials) respectively.
Your math / science scores will certainly affect you. I would retake the SAT so you can use your higher math score and try to raise the others, since most colleges superscore the SAT but not the ACT.
Well, I guess it depends on what your definition of a lot of math. Most college students don’t have to take much math…maybe one class, and some not even calculus.
As listed above, there is a good bit of math. FIne for those who are strong in math, but those who aren’t may find themselves quickly weeded out.
When we’re looking, I like to see at least two semesters of calculus, one of linear algebra, one or two of statistics, plus some discrete math, maybe some topology and number theory as an elective. I don’t think that’s really a lot, but it’s nearly enough for a minor I guess.
As far as schools, I’m not that familiar with NY, probably start with SUNY schools. Maybe Clarkson? I think Elmira has a 3-2 agreement either with them or SUNY Geneseo. Maybe also look at RIT? A lot depends on how much cost you can absorb.
My parents aren’t worried as much as about the costs. They will do what they need to to pay for a college that would be the best fit for me. And I knew my math would be an issue. I am considering retaking the ACT because the 29 was my lowest math grade compared to all my practice tests where I got 32s.
And from what I gathered with research, CS doesn’t really require any math that would be too difficulty to pickup. Obviously it requires some high level math but it isn’t something that any diligent/semi intelligent person can’t learn.
I’ve scored better during practice on math. I think for both the ACT and SAT time was my biggest concern so I am considering retaking and hoping I can better manage the time.
There are a lotof people who scored lower in math that did very well in school and industry. Not a roadblock. It’s actually quite good, just not 99.99th percentile. You’ll be fine. But maybe some details on urban/rural and large/small preferences will help people come up with useful ideas.
Is it naive to think I don’t really care about that at least now? I’m really just interested in the best possible schools based on my major which I can then visit and see which ones I really like. I was just hoping people could give me some schools that I had a good shot of getting into that were good for Computer Science. At least then I would know at what tier schools to look at.
Try the University of Rochester. If you like their basic mix of offerings, you can work outward from there. LACs also could be entirely appropriate for you, as long as they have the all the CS core courses you need plus interesting electives to choose from – you will find 20 or more CS course offerings at some of them.
Finding a good “computer science school” is not necessarily much different than finding a school in general.
Northeastern is a bit of a reach but is also great for CS. Case Western and University of Richmond would be in the same category, though not quite as close. All great schools.
Northeastern, WPI, Clarkson, University of Rochester, RIT, RPI, Stevens, Drexel, Lehigh, Case Western, Binghamton, and Stony Brook are a few to consider.
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When we’re looking, I like to see at least two semesters of calculus, one of linear algebra, one or two of statistics, plus some discrete math, maybe some topology and number theory as an elective. I don’t think that’s really a lot, but it’s nearly enough for a minor I guess.
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It’s all relative. It’s not a lot of math when compared to a math major…which obviously requires more. It’s not a lot when compared to eng’g, which requires a class or two more.
But… It’s a lot of math when compared to most majors. And, it’s a LOT of math if someone isn’t strong in math.
If a non-chemistry major had to take 5-6 chem classes, we’d say that he had to take a lot of chemistry.
Post #7, tell that to 30 % of the kids that failed or got D and Was from the proof writing math class that my daughter just took. It was the most feared class. Not calculus.
How have you done in high school math? Are you on track to take calculus as a senior? Some people are pretty good at math, but don’t score as well as they should on standardized tests. I’d say that CS generally requires a fair amount of math - certainly dicscrete math and some calculus and the kind of logical thinking required is basically math related. What sort of programming experience do you have?
It looks like Carnegie Mellon requires 4 real math courses: https://www.csd.cs.cmu.edu/education/bscs/currsequence_14.html My son loved CMU, but it will probably be too much of a reach for you. I echo all the suggestions especially the lists in #13 and #14.
CMU is probably way out of reach for Computer Science. It is one of the most selective undergraduate programs in the country, with an acceptance rate similar to Harvard’s or Stanford’s. What about Stevens Institute? It is right across the river, in Hoboken, and is very well respected.