<p>My DS2 is definitely looking for more of a big fish small pond scenario.</p>
<p>As far as safety/match, there is a factor of how big the school is – if it’s smaller it’s more likely to be a bit less predictable in admissions. And of course there’s the level of selectivity (percent of students admitted). I think my DS1 was technically above the 75%ile stats-wise for even MIT / CMU SCS where he was not accepted, but we knew all along they were a long shot. Stats alone will not get you in to places like that, and stats were his greatest strength.</p>
<p>I know the OP started this thread pertaining primarily to the “northeast”, but does anyone have info about Florida Institute of Technology?</p>
<p>My S’14 has applied to many of the same schools in the Northeast, but also chose one Southeastern school - FIT. We have not visited, yet, but have perused their website.</p>
<p>DS originally was going to major in Game Programming and has since decided CS is more open and gives him more opportunities. He also likes physics and robotics (so possibly engineering).</p>
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<p>However, for many students, what may be a match or safety for admissions is still a reach based on financial aid and scholarships needed to be able to afford to attend.</p>
<p>Another wrinkle is the increasing tendency of schools to use “level of applicant’s interest” to reject high stats applicants whom they believe will not attend.</p>
<p>My DS1 was interested in game design/programming, but we convinced him to do a general CS degree with game design minor/option/concentration, to allow more options. But if you go back up-thread and look at DS1’s choices, those were all chosen for strong CS program and good game design options. </p>
<p>Northeastern has a combined CS/game design program, but he ruled it out late in the game when we learned the details of the co-op for that program – they could at least at that time only get game-related co-ops for the summer, so that program is (was, as of 2011 at least) designed to have co-ops only in the summers, which would put those students off-stream with all the other CS students, which would be difficult for maintaining friendships. So, something to watch for that way.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus is right about both the financial reaches, and the possibility of “safeties” rejecting applicants they think are not interested. Fortunately my DS1 did not experience that, and my DS2 has so far been accepted everywhere we expected him to be, but could get some surprises in March, I suppose. We’ve done our best to demonstrate interest.</p>