DS ‘19 is planning to major in CS with a focus towards game design or AI. He has made a list based on programs and Lacrosse. He’s looking to play at the intramural or the least competitive club level. We are only able to visit this summer because of distance.
He does not want a campus full of super competitive, serious academics. GPA 3.9 UW, ACT-35, 1sport,1music EC. Hoping for merit but knows EC are not strong. He enjoys being part of honors classes at his HS and having a wide mix of friends. He loves music and watching sports. Quirky, did not like preppy kid vibe at Miami/OH but loved campus. Based on that, which might be a better fit for him? Any not on the list or advice is greatly appreciated!!
Thankfully, we have family close to several areas but it’s still a lot of driving.
RPI
Stony Brook
U MD
U DE
NC State
UNC
U Mich -we visited Mich State
UVA
Lehigh
UGA
Northeastern
UVA probably is a bit too preppy it sounds like + not known particularly for CS. I’d scratch it.
Does he want urban or rural? Tech school or more balanced?
Depending on the answers, WPI and RIT could be two good safeties. UMass Amherst would be something missing perhaps as well. Any geographic preferences? Financial constraints?
Thank you! I grew up in VA and that was my impression-too preppy for him. He doesn’t seem to prefer any particular location or size. We’re ok wherever he wants to go but we’ll have 2 in college at the same time for 3 years. So, yes, finances are an issue!
We will be living in the southeast and he has relatives up the coast in different cities as well as the Midwest. DH would prefer he not go to CA but I wonder if we’re squashing his dream to limit that.
Good to know about the safeties. He had looked at those and were on his list at some point. He is looking at course offerings and that be why they weren’t at the top of his list. That and he’s stuck on having lacrosse, though I told him to just start his own intramural team if it’s not there.
Northeastern best fits what you described, among those choices listed. First two, RPI and Stony Brook, are full of serious academic students. Not competitive in that students will help each other at rpi, and most schools, but these schools attract serious students.
Coming back to update in case there are other parents checking all possible options for schools.
Off the list-
RPI- visit vibe-serious/pressure
Stoneybrook-location
UNC/UVA/MI-did not seem to be good fits either program or cost
DE- ok visit, no big draw
Currently in top 10% of class, interested in CS/cog sci, 3.85 UW, 4.04 W, more interested in orchestra opps than lacrosse
On list-
Lehigh
Tufts
Carleton
Case Western
RIT
UNL-in state
U of MN-accepted but aid unlikely
Trying to get him to add U of SC (SC state) based on planned move
If anyone reads this and has last minute suggestions, we are all ears. Feeling very unsure in this type of search and level of competitiveness of schools. Thanks!
Any interests in non-tech fields – such as classical studies, religious studies, government, literature, history – would also be supported with a choice of this type.
@DCNatFan I’ve mentioned Pitt a few times with no interest. Unsure why but I did the NFC to see if I should push it. The cost was much higher than we could afford with 2 kids in at once.
@merc81 Hamilton sounds great and I think would be a good fit. However, he nixed it due to the lack of AI classes. He may open his search up to schools he likes outside of CS. It’s going to be a stressful app season here!
For an AI specific course, your son would have CS 375 (Artificial Intelligence) at Hamilton. However, it seems he’s found broader curricula for this interest among his current choices. Wishing him, and you, the best of luck during the rest of this interesting process, @drewsmom17!
I might replace RIT with University of Rochester. URochester is a much stronger, more academic school, not to mention the music opportunities being affiliated with Eastman provides (like lessons).
@merc81 thanks for the info! He likes UR so I will have to remind him of that one.
I think Hamilton would be a great fit if he can let go of the strict CS focus he put on his search. It’s so hard to know!
D#1 changed her major the 1st semester after holding on to it the last 2 years of HS. It really limited her options and I think that might be his fear.
@ClassicRockerDad thank you! I will let him know about UR/Eastman, don’t think he knows that.
With respect to your son’s list overall, it includes excellent potential options. Since he only needs one appealing college, he has a great base that will provide him that.
UR might further enhance his choices, so I’m glad he’s open to that addition.
Regarding Hamilton, its program is very strong in the math, logic and language of CS and, apparently uncommonly for the field, the department caps its classes at no higher than 26 students. With respect to your son, I think it would be a more a question as to whether the college itself matches him, then as to whether the CS program itself would be sufficient, especially in a foundational sense. However, I’ve included this mostly as an afterthought. If he didn’t gravitate toward the course listings, then he can concentrate on refining his list in other ways.
Your son seems clear in many ways in his preferences. I think the school he ultimately chooses will be great for him!
If you are willing to consider Carleton(great school!) then you might want to consider Grinnell, also. His marks might net him some merit aid, and odds are pretty good that he can play LAX there. I would guess that COA there would be less than at Carleton. I’ll let others opine on ow good their CS is.