Your college experience is what YOU make of it no matter where you go.
2 Likes
My 2nd major would most likely be data science or computer engineering, however my courses in HS do not reflect computer engineering directly.
I am definitely at a disadvantage when it comes to courses taken in high school as I switched what I wanted to do about half way through. I had always taken health related classes throughout high schools (As throughout all), but realized that it wasnāt really for me. My high school counselor told me that college admissions wouldnāt really care about it as long as I displayed academic excellence. However looking back on that, I definitely should have just switched out as soon as I could.
1 Like
I would not attend a school where I was not assured of studying what I wanted. Iāll just leave it at that.
Others disagree and they think the school is most important - but unless youāre very unsure of a major, I would ensure I could study what I wanted - even if it means going to a Texas Tech, North Texas, San Angelo, etc. - wherever.
2 Likes
@compscy this might be a solid 2nd choice major to list, for A&M
1 Like
Realistically, with all the information given, what are my chances at UTD for CS? UT Austin seems like a reach for what itās worth and what I have, but UTD is still on the table as something feasible in my opinion. They have a great program for CS, as you said and what I have heard from many, and its commutable, although half an hour away.
1 Like
Also, is it better to do regular deadline instead of priority if it means having a better application or SAT score? I heard early admission increases chances but Iāve also heard the contrary.
1 Like
Some colleges fill up, or fill up their popular majors, in the early round. So you may want to investigate whether this is the case at the colleges you will apply to.
1 Like
UTD - Iām not their AO but I think itās a given. Their acceptance rate is extremely high but people rave about the school and program.
@compscy housing is another concern, the longer you wait. Have you already paid a dorm deposit at UT?
A&M doesnāt allow dorm deposit until student has been accepted. Definitely not enough dorms for all students at either school.
Are you already registered to take Nov SAT? Have you been studying/prepping? Will scores be back by December 1?
Have you taken ACT?
1 Like
As tsbna suggested upthread, it could be worth looking at some liberal arts colleges that have solid CS programs and generous (need-based and/or merit) aid.
I was looking at a list of schools that do not require non-custodial parent financials. The huge long shots on this list (comparable to Rice in competitiveness) would be Vanderbilt and UChicago - not likely admits, but would be interesting to compare the NPCs. But for a more realistic option, College of Wooster in Ohio is well known for strong STEM (well, āSTMā - it doesnāt have engineering but does have both CS and a stats/data science major) and mentored research. It meets 94% of documented need on average, and could very well give enough merit aid to fill any gap. Try running the NPC here and see how it looks.
Most schools that donāt require non-custodial parent info are schools that donāt come close to meeting full need anyway. The three I just mentioned are exceptions. Trinity U in San Antonio, which tsbna already suggested, is also in this category and meets 91% of need (to reiterate, this is an average, not consistent across the board, but this is still pretty good) so thatās a great one to consider and run the numbers for.
Keep in mind that schools in the Trinity/Wooster tier tend to be need-aware, so you need to be a strong applicant relative to their accepted student stats, to get in with high need. (Applying EA, before the financial aid budget begins to dwindle, or better yet ED if you find a perfect-match school, will help.)
There are more possibilities but each schoolās policy has to be doublechecked on a case-by-case basis. (For example, Oberlin looks on some lists - including the College Boardās list - as if it does not require non-custodial parent info, but on closer examination they only give a waiver if you have no contact with that parent.) So check the above schools first and see whether excluding your non-custodial parentās info seems to be the magic bullet, financial-aid wise, or not.
1 Like
I do think youād be accepted to UTD and if you qualify for PELL elsewhere I donāt see why you wouldnāt at UTD but I really donāt know much about need based aid. If you want any hope of getting any sort of merit award from UTD youāll need your complete application (including SAT scores) submitted by Dec 1st.
3 Likes
I just learned about UTDās Comet Promise, if your custodial parent makes less than $65K a year youāll qualify for 100% tuition and fees in need based aid. Not sure if this applies to you but thought it was worth mentioning. Comet Promise - The University of Texas at Dallas | The University of Texas at Dallas
3 Likes
Hopefully you can apply to UTD by the Priority, AES, and Honors college deadline.
Do you qualify for UTDs Comet Promise mentioned by @3scoutsmom ?
Will your GC indicate your curriculum was most rigorous for your school? Ask him/her.
If s/he says so, then you may have a (long) shot at top colleges like Denison, St Olaf, Lafayette, perhaps even Grinnell or Macalester,
which meet 100% need and would certainly be interested in a Pell Grant student with strong grades, especially if your HS is rural or Title I (are you in the DFW Suburban area or in a more rural part of the region?)
IMportant for context: is your school considered high performing, rural, Title I?
Run the NPC on Kalamazoo, Muhlenberg, Beloit: are any affordable ?
Since you were interested in Health sciences, what about Bioinformatics rather than CS at colleges itās offered?
Look into Cybersecurity at UTSA and CS at TX State.
You can remove Gatech. It is not test optional. You need 1500s+ to get to Tech OOS.
I do qualify for the Cometās Promise, yes.
Iām not sure about the curriculum at my school, but it is a big school with pretty much any class you can think of. It is a texas high school, 6A conference (~2500 students) with i think around 17+ AP clcasses
Yeah, considering my SAT score is a bit low, I dont think I have the greatest shot at UT Austin, even with my great EC of owning a profitable game.
However, I do know that it is a lot easier to get a job after graduating by going to UT Austin. Iām not too sure if this is the case for UTD. Is it a good choice to transfer if possible? Iām thinking in the long-term perspective here as well.
Iāve been studying a fair amount for the SAT, but according to my practice tests, I still donāt think I will reach that average CS major SAT score amount. Iām just kind of hoping that my essay, app, and the big EC of owning a profitable game will be the charm in the application.
1 Like
Is there a reason why you do not recommend transferring into UT for CS? It is a lot easier to get a job when you have a degree from UT Austin from what Iāve heard.
Is it because it is a lot harder than just being admitted as a freshman?
@compscy itās not that I donāt recommend it, itāll be next to impossible to transfer into UT CS.
UTD is VERY well respected, has a great reputation.
A degree from UTD will also open many doors.
Thatās good to hear, although itās in a long time, Iām just concerned for myself on finding a job after graduating. However, if UTD will open many doors, then I should have nothing to worry about. Do you have any sources or articles where you found this information on UTD? Iām curious to learn more