<p>Hi,
Son is a rising HS senior and future comp sci major---as we get down to the wire re: apps, I'm suddenly panicking that there are schools we've overlooked researching, that might be good for comp sci (& any that might offer some $$ of course would be ideal).</p>
<p>Any other parents of future computer science students (or comp sci students themselves) care to share their lists of schools??</p>
<p>The more I research, it seems the more confused I get. Exhaustively looked at schools w/good merit aid from the great CC threads on that topic, then couldn't really assess the substance of their comp sci depts (as Eng major). CC comp sci professionals have been super helpful, but I can only ask them so many questions w/out becoming tiresome...! </p>
<p>I'll share our prelim list (for reference, son has a mixed bag of stats (34 ACT, GPA 3.1 UW, 4.0+ W, some ECs, not extensive). We'd love merit aid, but will go into some debt if can't get it.</p>
<p>Viginia Tech
Rutgers (maybe safety)
Drexel (good co-op)
The Coll of NJ
James Madison U (he just likes it)
Rennselaer (good co-op but pricey)
WPI
Ithaca (again, just likes it)
Uof MD (big reach)
USC (very unrealistic reach, financially & admission, but he loves SoCal weather)
UofNC at Chapel Hill
University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana</p>
<p>Thank you very much, natmicstef, will definitely check it out.</p>
<p>I'm bleary-eyed from hours researching and feeling like there might be comp sci opportunities (that aren't MIT, Caltech) that I'm missing. U of MD comp sci dept head said a liberal arts school is better than a tech school since there are more "well rounded" options, such as art, for comp sci (specifically, gaming) majors. Then I felt guilty looking at all the tech schools and thought we should have targeted liberal arts, more. arg. </p>
<p>The University of Maryland is a great place for computer science, and while it's a reach, it may not be out of reach.</p>
<p>The Maryland admissions people seem to value test scores more than GPA. This could work in your son's favor.</p>
<p>If he does apply to Maryland, you should be aware that for "Priority Consideration," he needs to submit Part 1 of the application by November 1 and Part 2 by December 1, which seems shockingly early. This is NOT Early Decision or Early Action, and it's not rolling admissions, either. The early, "Priority" deadline is simply a way to get yourself considered for the goodies -- special interest programs, merit scholarships, etc. People who wait and apply later, using the regular application deadlines, may not be considered for the goodies if those things are already full.</p>
<p>My son graduated from the University of Maryland in May with a bachelor's degree with honors in computer science. He really liked the computer science department, and he found it surprisingly personal, despite the large size of the department and the absolutely huge size of the university. Although he was not one of the very best students in the department, he got a lot of personal attention and special opportunities -- including the chance to do research (which eventually turned into an honors thesis) and to TA a course as an undergraduate. He also got two summer internships nearby. He liked the research part so much that he decided to go on to graduate school and is now in California, starting a Ph.D. program in computer science at the University of California at San Diego.</p>
<p>I just noticed that UNC-Chapel Hill is on your son's list.</p>
<p>This school is a reach for anyone from out of state (no matter how good their credentials), and it's much harder to get into than Maryland. It's extremely popular, and North Carolina law strictly limits the number of out-of-state students who can be admitted, which creates a very competitive situation for those applicants.</p>
<p>Thanks, Marian, for that helpful input. I just looked back through some Word docs I made a few months ago from CC comp sci discussions, & I think I might have some info you shared earlier re: your son's experience at U of MD. It sounds like it would be great for my son, too; seems like he has a similar background going into college. So true re: the personal touch--when we visited, the head of the dept spent one hour talking w/him (unscheduled). Glad to hear of your son's success. My son is bright, but also didn't invent computer games or work as a computer consultant at age 12..so not sure how he'd fare re: admission at many of the good comp sci schools.</p>
<p>Good to know re: the NC-CH admission strictness. We put it on the list because we drove thru on our whirwind, southern school tour--it was a pretty campus & had a highly ranked comp sci dept (although son didn't meet w/anyone or particularly love it [was tired & cranky when we got there]) Maybe we'll take it off & save $50....</p>
<p>momofchris---thanks for the thoughts but son has completely and irrevocably nixed Georgia Tech because of the 70/30 male/female ratio. Will check out Purdue.</p>
<p>In reviewing other CC posts, again came across Rice (but thought it out of reach because of $$). Will check again. Also trolling through the US News rankings (again..).</p>
<p>Just thinking son might do well at a small school, but most US News schools are super big.</p>
<p>Lehigh is smaller, great Engineering programs, has Comp Sci. Merit $ might happen for your S there. Strong coop programs, as I understand it.</p>
<p>Santa Clara University is another smaller U, where merit $ could be a real possibility for this kid's stats. They have Computer Engineering major, but it doesn't look like they have CompSci. But it might work for your S... he can likely tell by looking at the offerings and requirements for the CE major [url=<a href="http://www.scu.edu/engineering/cse/ugrad/degrees.cfm%5Dhere%5B/url">http://www.scu.edu/engineering/cse/ugrad/degrees.cfm]here[/url</a>] Great location in Silicon Valley is a real plus in terms of exposure to the industry, lecturers who are practicing in the field, and connections for future job search.
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Just thinking son might do well at a small school, but most US News schools are super big.
[/quote]
You might want to look at the Masters Level US News list under Engineering. That's where you'll find Santa Clara U, for instance, and other smaller schools. Although there are also some, like Lehigh, on the Doctoral level list.</p>
<p>Checking out Northeastern, thanks a lot fireflyscout.</p>
<p>jmmom--lots of people in our area (NJ) are looking at Lehigh. Kept meaning to visit---(it's not far) should put it on our list. Son read your post & loved the idea of Santa Clara U (the call of the sunny weather & Silicon Valley---he's big on co-ops and real world work experience). I'm not sure re: the 'no comp sci' but he seems to feel the comp eng is similar enough..</p>
<p>Ah, the sun. We just now went through some school lists (US News comp sci grad rankings, etc.) and pulled out all the CA schools (literally, anything in the southern part of the state). I figure...why not? If that's what he likes (& he might like to live/work there) then that is a significant factor to him & I have to respect it. </p>
<p>(& as a person who is always shivering through our NE winters myself...I can empathize..!)</p>
<p>PS Am going to have to work extra hrs at pt time job to pay for these app fees but I can't say that's going to limit us. Want him to have every opportunity....(maybe misguided, but that's the plan, now...!)</p>
<p>Look at U of Rochester. Small university, strong CS, lots of merit aid--but very cold, which may or may not be a deal-breaker. With lopsided stats, your S will need to cast a wider net than usual.</p>
<p>Thanks, Keilexandra---that's the 2nd time we've heard U of Rochester. Son looked at a variety of schools in that area (& didn't mind the weather). Will check it out online right now.</p>
<p>PS That's exactly what I thought, re: the 'wider net,' because of stats being a wild card (who knows which school emphasizes test scores, which focus on gpa, how they weight, etc.). Others have told me that there's 'absolutely no need' for son to apply to lots of schools---but in this case, I think it could make a difference. It's a few hundred dollars & we're looking at 4 years of his life & thousands invested. </p>
<p>Thanks again, Keilexandra--checked out U of Rochester--it looks nice--but the $50k price tag is a little off-putting (not that Rennselaer's $47k is not...).</p>
<p>Good to hear about the lots of merit aid. Though, who knows how that would play.</p>
<p>Sorry to keep bumping this thread up w/my anxiety-filled posts! :-)</p>
<p>Jolynne -- my son is entering his sophomore year at Rice and is double majoring in computer science and electrical & computer engineering. He loves it! The male/female balance is much better than at a tech school, as well as the range of classes offered. He's taken some really great philosophy classes so far. The interaction with the faculty is superb and the research opportunities available to undergrads is amazing. You should definitely look into Rice for CS. One of the best things about Rice is the residential college system which provides a close social interaction from the start and fosters a very inclusive social environment. There is very little self-segregation among ethnicities at Rice because of the residential colleges.</p>
<p>Look at RIT and Purdue -- I recall from other posters that Purdue can be good wtih merit $$. Don't know how CS is at Pitt, but they are also good with merit. </p>
<p>S did research with a CS prof at UMD for the past year and a half. Had a terrific time and enjoyed it thoroughly. For a student who is looking at programming, it is a great place and ranked 12th. Lots of interesting, hands-on opportunities and they get great recruiting there. The CS department advisor S knew was phenomenal. He ultimately did not choose to attend (he has a different emphasis besides programming), but has many friends who are very happy CS majors there.</p>
<p>Thanks, blackeyedsusan! Btw, pulled up the 'virtual tour' of Rice and am waiting for son to take a look at it! Have heard lots of good things--only possible downsides could be (as always) cost & admissions-chances.</p>
<p>uscd<em>ucla</em>dad--Carnegie Mellon is a place son would love to go ("I'd like to go with lots of smart kids.") but we just didn't think he had the stats to even make an attempt worthwhile (UW gpa 3.1 [although weighted is approx 4.5 & jr year is 3.85]). It's always mentioned as a top CS school, but figured it was a bit out of the ball park (though, we're still thinking of trying to fit in a tour during a possible, upcoming mid-west family reunion...maybe can't give up hope...).</p>
<p>CountingDown--thanks for the RIT & Purdue suggestions. And, yours is yet one more wonderful report about UMD's CS program. I wonder if the CS dept advisor your son knew was the one who talked to my son during a visit? She was young, smart & seemed really on top of things.</p>
<p>Don't discount a big increase in grades -- a 3.85 junior year is impressive, esp. if one had a rocky start. That plus the 34 may give your S more options than you think. I'm not saying it will be easy, but apply widely and think strategically, and he may have a variety of nice choices.</p>