As far as Texas goes, it was a brutal year for CS and it keeps getting worse every year. It is not a reflection on him but the lack of seats. I hope his fourth choice comes through and he is happy with it.
I’m sorry Bnovel, it is such an overwhelming and frustrating process to go through! We have good friends whose son had as perfect an application as it gets - valedictorian, top scores, youth group leader, NMF, recommendations from top leaders, etc. He was told by a Harvard admissions counselor that he’s just another needle in a very large haystack and to hope he might just be one of the lucky few whose app gets pulled (he wasn’t!!). I hope the last of the top four choices works out but know that if it doesn’t, he will have a good experience wherever he goes! Sending warm wishes and positive thoughts!
@Bnovel I just happened on this thread as my Daughter didn’t get into her #1 choice (performing arts conservatory), but here is my 2 cents: my older d’s husband went to a local state school in TN and studied CS, he had a contract position with Siemons by the end of his senior year, as soon as he graduated they offered him a position and he now has a fantastic job, making great money, tons of vacation time and lots of great benefits. I know students really want to go to those big schools, but it isn’t always about the school. It’s tough now but I bet in a year, he will be happily settled into a place he loves! Good luck and sorry he is disappointed, we never like to see our kids unhappy!
Bnovel, Where else did he apply? Sending good wishes!
Northeastern, Lehigh,Wash U, Princeton (his brother is a sophomore there)
Thank you all so much for your heartwarming messages of support! Hoping the next answer is a yes-no matter what school it is- just want to see him breathe a sigh of relief!
What are his matches and safeties?
Yes, I would also like to know^^^.
That list worries me a little. Last year, Northeastern deferred or waitlisted tons of really strong applicants. I personally know two of them. One was admitted RD after deferral. She was in the top 5% of our very strong school, the other was admitted for Spring, after being deferred. She had to spend the first semester at their campus overseas. She had a great time, but NE is not a safety for anyone, nor is Lehigh. Did he apply to a true safety?
I’m sorry it’s been a tough go so far for your son, hopefully it all works out.
Ages ago, I was rejected to every single school I applied to, except for one. Somehow my “safety” even offered me a President’s scholarship while also rejecting my application as if to rub salt into the wound. Regardless, I went off to the one school that wanted me and had a fantastic 4 years. My only advice is to love the school that loves you; the college experience is what you make of it.
Any chance he can get an application in to an instate public??
What about UAH or UAB? @mom2collegekids what kind of aid would this kid get at these schools…and would they still take his application??
@Bnovel here a tip. He’s probably going to be waitlisted at WashU. They waitlist almost everyone in RD to protect their yield.
When that happens, immediately call the school and tell them that you really want to go and if they extend an offer you will accept right away. It’s a fantastic school and he will do great there.
This is all based on anecdotal info from our colllege counselor but I have heard it confirmed elsewhere.
^ that only works if you can afford the school without knowing the financial aid package…
I wish your S the best and I do hope that there are a couple of true safetys on his list.
IS CMU realistically any more competitive than UT (OOS) or GT (OOS) for CS? UT and GT are huge longshots ofr OOS kids for sure, but sometimes looking at overall stats is unhelpful for OOS applicants (although UT I think has data that is pretty educational). I got pretty stroppy when I looked at overall stats for UT but the fact is OOS kids are held to a very high standards as state schools educate their in state kids. If we lived in Texas or GA we would like that. Did you ask for aid or were you coming in full pay?
CMU CS acceptance rate is around 5%.
UTs profile= Out-of-state students: 7%. I now that isn’t an acceptance rate but it is a solid data point for OOS applicants.
CS is the one field where what you do is most important, Coming from an elite school will help at the beginning but after that it’s accomplishment that matters. A friend’s kid went to what was basically a community college and went on to write the (in)famous “electronic flightbag” software for airlines. He’s on his way.
If I had a kid that wanted to go into CS I’d have them go to a less rigorous school and then use the extra free time to create apps for iOS and Android. That would be invaluable experience … and if they produce a hit, they wouldn’t even need to look for a job after college!
May be too late to apply to the more competitive schools, but major in math and minor in CS is an end run around the popularity of CS. Or put down undeclared on the app. Many of the CS classes are math anyway…
It’s brutal seeing your kid dejected. I agree with others that you need to give him time and space. I made sure I prepared my son’s go-to comfort food for dinner when he got his ED rejection. I saved his favorite food for the celebrations that came the following March.
As for CS. Building a solid portfolio of work is the most important thing that he can do to land a great job (or internship). He’ll have the opportunity to do that wherever he studies but being proactive about building his portfolio starting now is what will put him ahead of the kids who start throwing things together a month before their interviews.
Remember that feeling well. Older son got rejected from MIT and Yale, waitlisted at Harvard, Cornell and Duke. Because he came from a very rural high school, many people thought with his stats, GPA and ECs, he would get into at least one of those schools. Did get into Wash U, but the merit money was not enough to make it work. So, he took a National Merit offer to Alabama. No student debt. Now, he is finishing up at UVA Law. Already has a job and is apartment hunting in the DC area. Got a full tuition/fee scholarship there. He would not trade any of his experiences, including the rejections, for anything.
That said, have your son look into UAH. My younger son is there. It is an outstanding STEM school. My son has several fraternity brothers doing co-ops or internships. Some already have part-time jobs with Boeing and other engineering firms. One friend got a dream job with SpaceX (and for more money that most of us can ever dream to make). A 34 on the ACT gives your son full tuition and housing. Do think about it.