I’m from the Chicago area, planning to get a comp sci degree.
GPA: 3.63 UW/4.27 W (Upward trend)
SAT: 1480 (790 Math, 690 RW)
Subject tests: 770 Math 2, 750 Physics
ECs: Cofounded Rubik’s cube club, online tutoring at OpenStudy and had leadership position there, did some independent study computer science, won several Rubik’s cube competitions and I hold the Illinois record for fastest average.
Your SAT is competitve, but 3.63 is below average. I’d say even ED, unless you have a hook, it’s a reach.
Do you have other reaches and some matches and a safety in mind?
Being from the Chicago area greatly increases your chances at UChicago, especially if you can imbue that into your essay somewhere. Your GPA and SAT seem strong, along with the SAT IIs. You’ve got a pretty good chance to get into.
@prezbucky
I am still trying to finalize my college lists. This is what I have so far:
Safety: University of Illinois at Chicago
Match: UW Madison, UIUC
Reach: University of Michigan, Northwestern
I heard that UIUC is also very competitive, so I might have to move it to my reach. Do you have any other suggestions on colleges I should add to my list as a cs major? Also, is it worth applying ED to Northwestern? Thanks in advance!
If you are 100 percent sure you can afford Northwestern and if its the #1 place to be, I would say still apply ED. Since your GPA is a tad lower than average it would give you your best shot possible. Also with UIUC will you be apply to CS in the engineering school or CS in LAS? Both are great programs but the engineering one is more competitive
@gopgal
Alright, thanks for the advice.
As for UIUC, my first choice will definitely be CS in engineering, but I’ll probably put CS in LAS as my second choice. Is it really true that the acceptance rate for CS in engineering is a single digit?
CS in UIUC is one of the best in the country. #5 in USNews.
My niece is there and she loves it!
If all of those schools are affordable, it’s a good list.