Finding Match Schools (Weak ECs)

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a rising senior planning to study computer science. I’m currently looking at in-state schools mostly, but was wondering what kinds of schools I have a realistic chance of getting into. My parents can’t pay for much, so I’ll most likely be taking some loans, but I don’t want to go into massive amounts of debt.

-attend an average public high school in Georgia
-white male (I could probably get away with white/amerindian; I’m about 1/8th amerindian)
-lower middle class
-divorced parents

-1550 SAT (750 EBRW 800 Math)
-3.61/4.00 or 3.95/5.00 GPA on an upward trend
-Class Rank 53/400~
-AP American Gov (5)
-AP World History (5)
-AP US History
-AP Physics 1
-AP English Language
-AP Computer Science A
-AP Calc AB (BC was not offered)
-planning to take SAT subject tests: Math II, Physics and maybe World History
-will be taking calc 2 and english at a community college and AP Macro fall semester

-Played competitive Pokemon for 4 years. Qualified for the World Championships 4 times.
-Top quiz bowl team member all years of high school. Top 8 at states every year.
-In a few other clubs, but not involved beyond showing up.

Thanks for any advice!

2

Finances are your priority, so make sure all your colleges are affordable. Ask your parents to fill out the NPC calculator on the college website to see if they are affordable. If not, you will need to tailor your list to merit aid schools. Also, are you a National Merit Finalist/Semifinalist?

For schools to look into, UGA and GA Tech will be hard to beat. Are you into LACs or do you like big schools?

3

Thanks baeria, I’ll make sure to look at the NPC for schools I’m interested in. I’m not a NMS Finalist or Semifinalist. I like the idea of a smaller school, but I’m open to anything and wouldn’t mind a large school like UGA.