Hey everyone! I’m a rising senior who lives in the South (not Texas or Florida) and is an Asian female. I’m interested in majoring in Comp Sci (or EECS if that’s available), and I have a strong interest in computational biology as well. I’d like some help with my college list—I feel a little reach-heavy right now. My family qualifies for aid, and my parents can’t pay more than around 25-30K, though less is better, of course.
Personality: I’m a pretty geeky/nerdy kid who reads too much about history and anime. Campus location doesn’t really matter to me, since I’ve lived in college towns and rural areas for all my life, and I don’t have a problem with them.
Here’s a few test-related things about me:
ACT: 35, 9 Essay
SAT Subject Tests: Math 2 800, Chem 800, Bio 800, USH 790
SAT: 2390 Superscore (2 sittings)
AP: 8 tests; six 5s and two 4s (from freshman and sophomore year)
Rank: Top 2%-ish
Decent ECs
My current list:
Princeton (probably SCEA but not sure if this’ll help any)
MIT
Caltech
UChicago
Dartmouth (no clue why but parents really like it)
Vanderbilt (school has had many people accepted here)
JHU
USC
Wellesley
Pitt
Local state school
I have one question: is it better to apply SCEA and hope for the best or EA to multiple schools?
Thanks in advance!
I would also look at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). There is a computational biology program (http://www.cis.upenn.edu/current-students/undergraduate/ascb/) that involves a lot of computer science, and it seems like you have the stats to be competitive. Plus, with the general requirements you would be able to pursue a history minor or something like that if you enjoy it.
I would also look at the University of Maryland. Their computer science department is extremely strong, and with your stats I’m guessing you would be able to compete for a very large scholarship as well as being a part of their honors program. I know a girl who sounds a lot like you (both in intelligence and personality) who just graduated from Maryland’s computer science program after three years and absolutely loved it. Plus, it is not far from a lot of the South.
As far as applying early goes, from my experience it really depends on if you have a clear favorite that you would definitely go to above all other schools. If you do, then I would say apply to it early, regardless of whether it is SCEA, EA, or ED. Given, that is what I did and it worked out so I’m biased. I do think, however, that it will really depend on which schools you end up putting on the top of your list, and the options at those schools.
@Penn26 I’ll be sure to check out both schools! I think you’re right about early applications, also.Based on your username, you go to Penn, right?
Pitt awesome school in awesome city.
speaking of Pittsburgh what about Carnegie Mellon?
or even drake university
@purrples Correct!
There is a pretty big difference between SCEA and EA. There is a big difference between the admissions rates for students applying SCEA to Princeton and students applying RD. The SCEA admit rate is 19% or so and the RD admit rate is about 5%. Legacy and athlets apply SCEA disproportionately but still it certainly seems like an advantage to me and you need all the advantages you can possibly muster when applying somewhere like Princeton. Normally, applying EA does not provide a significant boost but U.Chicago seems to be the exception. Your list is way top heavy so you need to fill in some target and safety schools. I would agree that Carnegie Mellon looks like a good fit. Consider also Harvey Mudd and University of Illinois. Absolutely no worries with your test scores or rigor of curriculum. Your EC’s and essays are going to matter at some of these schools to help you stand out. Good luck
@Wje9164be I am aware that my list is too reach-heavy. I think CMU and Harvey Mudd are both reaches too, but I’ll look into them as well.
Any ideas for match/safety schools?
I think Case Western RU in Cleveland would be a match for you, maybe safety and you would probably get some merit aid there, maybe enough to get in your $25- $30K range. My S with similar stats got $25K merit scholarship offer in 2011. I’ve heard reports that it has gotten more competitive but I still think it’s at least a match for you. It has a quirky nerdy vibe and the area around the campus is a cool area of Cleveland with access to various arts related institutions such as the art museum, Severance Hall- home of the Cleveland Orchestra, museum of modern art and the arboretum. Also, proximity to Little Italy with many good restaurants. I don’t know much about it myself but U Rochester is often mentioned here as a match for students looking at the types of majors and more reachy schools that you are looking at.
@cellomom2 Case Western sounds like a possible match! I’ll check it out.
Check out Carnegie Mellon’s admission statistics webpage. CMU has some of the lowest admissions rates in the country and some of the highest SAT averages (even for its schools with higher acceptance rates). SCS at CMU is super competitive (5%). You should definitely apply but don’t consider it a ‘match’.