<p>Hello all, I'm an international student from Singapore. I'm hoping to take Economics and either a minor or another major in Computer Science. I have selected some universities and am not sure what sort of categories they belong to (Safety / Match / Reach). Any advice, suggestions or comments about the schools or other schools will be appreciated.</p>
<p>I am really keen in the California area because of the weather and the plethora of startup firms but am open to schools from other regions as well. </p>
<p>I'm also not really sure where my preferences as to urban or rural lie. I guess I don't mind either but I would definitely like to be able to explore the area I am in (so accessibility).</p>
<p>My stats are as such: (Not sure what other stats are needed)
SAT I - 2320
SAT II Math & Physics - 800 each
Grades - Above average, about top 10% in my school and my school is an above average school as well</p>
<p>Here's my really short list (made up of mostly reach schools and in the California area) in order of priority
1. Stanford University (Would ED be recommended?)
2. UCB
3. UCLA
4. University of Chicago
5. USC
6. UCSD</p>
<p>Stanford does not have ED; it has non-binding restricted early action, where you agree not to apply ED to other schools, nor EA to other private schools in the US.</p>
<p>You should definitely apply to Duke and UT-Austin. Both schools are located in regions with warm climates and strong start up cultures. They also have strong graduate programs in Economics and Computer Science (top 20).</p>
<p>UT Austin would be a safety for you, but as a safety, it is also one of your best options. On top of it having an incredible comp sci program and a respectable Econ, you’d be an outlier there and really stand out, whereas at other schools your skills wouldn’t really separate you from the other students.</p>
<p>If you are interested in economics, you should look at schools in the Northeast and Midwest, not just California. California has many schools with strong reputations and job placement in computer science, and other than MIT East Cost and Midwestern universities do not have the strength in computer science. For example, UChicago is known for its economics programs but does not have the connection with Silicon Valley that Stanford does. </p>
<p>Still, few international students—even with your scores—can’t be too choosy with top schools until after they are accepted unless they have a strong background in a particular subject outside the classroom, so remember that these schools are as you identified them “reaches.”</p>
<p>EDIT: As others have pointed out, UT Austin has an excellent computer science program as well as a strong economics program while still possibly being a safety school for you.</p>
<p>Thank you goldenboy8784, chiclanda and DoingThings for your insights! I will certainly look into those universities and apply to them if I find them a good fit :)</p>
<p>I second the suggestion of Rice. Our friend’s D is a junior there with a double major in econ and comp sci. She had many employers interested in hiring her for internships this past summer already after sophomore year.</p>
<p>Super selective research universities (like Stanford) will be very tough for a Singaporean who is not at or near the top of the class. </p>
<p>The UCs should be a bit easier for a full-pay international student.
If you want a “contrarian” choice (from an Asian/International perspective), have a look at some of the more selective LACs, such as the Claremont colleges (Pomona, Harvey Mudd), or better yet (for admission chances) a midwestern school (Carleton, Oberlin, Grinnell, Macalester etc.) The quality of undergraduate education at these schools is at least as good as it is at some (if not all) of the ones on your list, but they don’t seem to attract as many Asian/International students as the better-known West Coast research universities or the Ivies. </p>