The lower grades as a junior could be a problem. I would see UVA, William & Mary (for physics), and Virginia Tech engineering/CS all as reaches , even as an instate student with very good SAT’s. Just too many well qualified instate students for limited seats. Even JMU could be more of a target, rather than a safety. GMU and VCU are very good suggestions to look into further.
As others have noted, your SAT 's may be helpful in getting you some merit aid at OOS schools. Good luck!
They were mostly in the B range and I got an A in AP Computer Science. I think my LORs will be fine because I’ve asked teachers I know and they knew about my circumstances at home.
I have GMU as a safety. I actually live around the DC area and am taking dual enrollment classes there and it seems that a lot of people at my school get accepted there. Do you guys think that is a reasonable safety?
Getting into UVA or Virginia Tech would be amazing, although I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get an acceptance. I’m really just applying to UVA for the sake of it. Although, if I do get a chance, I would love to go to UMD because it’s very very close to home and is a great place. But given the comments in this thread, it seems like it will be very hard to get in.
I’m thinking of maybe transferring after a year or two if I don’t get in anywhere I wanted to. Hopefully colleges will see that my junior year was a one time thing but I don’t know.
Also thanks for the insights on EA. I will definitely apply EA everywhere if I can now.
If you want to be relatively close look at CNU. Or even Salisbury. Relatively meaning with a few hours and CNU in state.
Thanks for the suggestions 
I’m fine with staying further away, but yeah living within a couple hours would be great in case I get homesick.
“UF calculates a core, weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale as part of the evaluation process. Dual-enrollment courses in core areas and any AP, IB or AICE classes receive an extra 1.0 credit weight, meaning that an A is worth a 5.0 on a 4.0 scale. Pre-AICE, pre-AP, pre-IB and Honors classes receive a 0.5 credit weight, meaning that an A is worth a 4.5 on a 4.0 scale. Beyond this GPA calculation alone, UF evaluates strength of the curriculum the student has taken based on the offerings available to the student as well as how the student has progressed academically over time.”
Definitely apply to Virginia Tech (my Alma mater as a Physics major back a few moons ago), then also take a good look at both RIT and U Rochester in Rochester, NY. Both would allow Physics with CS I believe - I’m sure about UR, fairly confident in RIT. RIT is a more likely admittance, but if you got into UR and it’s affordable, it’s worth comparing to other schools, esp for Physics.
Both schools are about 15 minutes from Rochester’s airport for easy access.
Delete.
I calculated my three UC GPAs:
UW: 3.43
Weighted and capped: 3.97
Fully weighted: 4.3
Would I be competitive for any UC school? Also I’ve started thinking about looking into data science & applied math as well because they are bit similar to the majors I’ve already been thinking about. What would you guys say about the competitiveness of these majors compared to computer science?
Data Science is becoming a popular alternative to CS and would be less competitive than Engineering or CS, however, it is a Capped/Impacted major already at UCSD. Applied Math also would be less competitive.
Based on your capped weighted UC GPA, here are the admit rates for 2021 and are not major specific.
Target UC’s with a 3.97 Capped weighted would be UC Merced, Riverside and possibly Santa Cruz depending upon intended major.
| Campus | 4.20+ | 3.80-4.19 | 3.40-3.79 | 3.00-3.39 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | 30% | 11% | 2% | 1% |
| Davis | 85% | 55% | 23% | 10% |
| Irvine | 60% | 31% | 14% | 1% |
| Los Angeles | 29% | 6% | 1% | 0% |
| Merced | 97% | 98% | 96% | 89% |
| Riverside | 97% | 92% | 62% | 23% |
| San Diego | 72% | 25% | 2% | 0% |
| Santa Barbara | 73% | 28% | 4% | 1% |
| Santa Cruz | 91% | 81% | 46% | 9% |
You would be certainly be competitive for some UCs, as you can see in the graph posted by @Gumbymom – however, from out of state these schools would be very expensive. Speaking as someone from CA… I think some of the other schools mentioned in this thread would be better value for you. And other schools would be able to take your excellent SAT score into consideration when admitting you.
You also have to consider how each UC admits Freshman applicants and where the majors of interest reside. In general for CS/Engineering, you want a direct admit without having to go through a secondary admission process.
For Data Science and Applied Math, you can check where these majors reside but in general, these majors can be found in the College of Letters and Sciences which normally does not admit by major.
UCB:
Division (L&S, CNR, CoC, CED, CoE) matters for admission selectivity.
Within CoE (but not the other divisions), major matters for admission selectivity. Changing majors within the CoE after enrolling is not guaranteed, unless one is CoE undeclared.
Note that L&S admits students as undeclared; admission to capped majors (e.g. CS, economics, psychology, ORMS, statistics, art practice, and a few others) is by college GPA in prerequisite courses (and portfolio for art practice) after attending for a few semesters.
Note: CS in the College of L&S may be a direct admit for in-coming Freshman but specifics have not been finalized.
UCD:
College of Letters and Science admits by College but within specific academic departments: ie. (Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences)
UCI:
UCI admits into the University first and then into the major. In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major or Undeclared.
UCLA:
For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant’s major is not considered during the review process.
UCSD:
The campus does not admit students on the basis of academic major or choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college. UCSD admits into the University first then into the major. Alternate majors are considered and capped majors are highly competitive. Also note: Capped majors require additional pre-req courses and specific GPA to be able to qualify if changing majors. Also if applying to a capped major, select an non-capped major as an alternate.
UCSB:
College of Letters and Sciences: Choice of major is not considered in selection to the College of Letters and Science. The exceptions to this rule are dance and music performance majors. Both majors require applicants to complete an audition in late January or early February.
In the College of Letters and Science, students are admitted to a major or a pre-major. If admitted to a pre-major, the student must meet additional requirements at UCSB prior to being in the full major.
UCSC:
Important Note for Prospective Engineering Students: Choice of major does not influence the selection of first-year students, except for those applicants interested in a major offered by the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE).
UCR:
Admission by major but alternate/2nd choice major will be considered if applicant does not meet their first choice admission standards.
Not sure why you want to leave VA but for any private you need to check the net price calculator.
For any public OOS they have to be inexpensive (Florida schools, UAH, Western Carolina, Truman State). Purdue is a tad out of range. Maybe Mizzou, Nebraska, WVU, or Ms State. All have scholarship estimators.
If you want to study CS, why study data science?
You can study CS!
Forgetting that your list of schools is overly optimistic, it was also not crafted with budget in mind.
You need to build a school set around budget and access.
UCs are out based on budget. It’s ok. You know this up front. No point in putting yourself in a debt stranglehold.
Cornell isn’t going to happen but check the NPC there to see if you’d get money. A solid, more likely private would be a Denver or Bradley in Illinois or Elon. But again check NPCs. Can they get you to your budget ?
Good luck
My personal feeling is that how confident are you and how much time will you spend revising your essays, and are you the type to know exactly what you want and have a good story to tell on the essay prompts?
If so, I’d even swing big and at Caltech/MIT to the dream list.
Why?
After helping dozens and dozens with essay proofreading and revisions, I’ve seen those with non-Perfect A GPAs get into UCLA, Berkeley, etc simply because their true self comes through clearly and convincingly in their essays.
Their drive, maturity, goals, etc.
On the flip side, I’ve seen those with a fuzzy idea of their future but perfect grades not get into top schools because…that’s not “appropriate” for them. A unfocused student among highly focused, competitive class of fellow students will simply sink.
Remember 1 thing. ALL of the students at the very TOP schools Do NOT have perfect 4.0 GPAs.
It’s time to play the eager puppy at the pound roll imo.
Don’t forget OP has budget issues. They first need to run the NPC for such schools. No point in getting in, only to be able to not attend due to finances.
I’d get accepted first, look at their scholarship and FA offers, then negotiate.
One nice thing about the TOP is that these schools are LOADED with money for such.
Some can literally give free tuitions to the entire class and they’d still be making money off their cash pile.
But that’s sending a false signal.
A meets need, need based only school does not negotiate.
This student, for example, applying to a UC is wasting time for a different reason.
Back to this chat… if they fill out the NPC (accurately) and it’s showing no or little need aid to Cornell or MIT, etc should not be applying.
Short of their parents going double budget, they have zero chance of attending.
If you apply to a Rice or Vandy, it’s unlikely to be affordable but possible due to home run merit scholarships. And these are awarded, not negotiated.
If you’re talking about a B or C level college, then perhaps.
I would say that looking at it from just the financial aid aspect alone dismisses his ability for hard work, to figure things out as an adult.
Yes, every family has their own monetary limits. But that’s assuming he’s going to be mommy’s boy forever during 4 years+.
Realistically, in his field, with hard work and a focused search, scholarships/grants/internships/etc are likely.
E.g. Take the $50k loan the first year but get the Top IT company internship the second summer…leading to https://levels.fyi $300k+/yr future salaries?
It is funny that nobody tells doctors don’t even bother applying to top schools despite $100K’s+ in loans despite their nice salaries 8+ years later, yet in his field, he can crack $100k+ easily in much shorter time.
I would say He needs to figure out what’s the sacrifice he’s willing to go through.
E.g. I worked 2 jobs, waking a 4am, exercising before the army reserves jogged campus, did college, then worked before going to bed midnight. As an Adult, not as a baby still depending on mom and dad to pay it all.
While the majority of basic classes can be quite the same at Harvard or a no-name, simply graduating from a Top tier provides many advantages that can put one far ahead.
So, he needs to decide if this is important to him.
I was in a similar situation.
Small school with full scholarship?
Big school without?
I personally didn’t want small, went big, worked hard, and while it was not ideal, it was the best choice for what I was after.
Hopefully the expanded discussion provides him with thinking points that allows him to make the best choice for his future…rather than the best choice within a given family budget.
My apologies. I’m Confusing threads. Thought OP has a budget of $35k but I just re read. Seems to be no budget issues.
If there was I’d vehemently disagree with what you said but since there isn’t a budget OP can afford anything.
$300k jobs are not the norm btw.
Correct. $300k+/ year jobs are not the norm, but in the heated CS/IT world, it is a given.
A quick search even in indeed.com for remote IT jobs over $100k/yr are aplenty, and even Amazon.com pays $80+/hr to start for returnees to the job market because it is so hard to find enough IT workers right now.
For this field, $35k/yr-$60k/yr tuitions are easily paid off within 5 years in the tech industry. (Other fields like history might be crazy…and take decades to pay off.)