What do you think of my college list? Should I add/remove any from my list?
Reach:
Stanford (REA)
USC
UCLA
UCB
Tufts
Match:
Northeastern
University of Michigan (EA)
Georgia Tech (EA)
UCSD
University of Washington
Safety: (I only plan on applying to these if I don’t get good EA decisions)
UIUC
Drexel University
RIT
Intended Major: CS with concentration in Games if available. I would prefer more practical CS to theoretical.
My criteria:
Large (maybe medium) school; at least 1,000 incoming freshmen
Offers/ Is strong in CS
Not an LAC
Urban/suburban setting
Is not super freezing. (I can stand a bit of cold, but not too much)
Can start on major related courses right away in freshmen year (No crazy amount of core reqs)
Nice campus (as in new/clean and ‘modern’)
Other factors that I considered but did not put too much weight in:
Good Gym/ Fitness center
Nice Dorms
Number/variety of clubs
My stats:
ACT: 33
UW GPA: 3.8
No stellar ECs
Doesn’t need FA (more like schools don’t give out FA to Int’l students)
Int’l, Asian, F
I also considered MIT and CMU other than Stanford, but I think one super reach is enough. And I like Stanford the most out of the three.
I am most definitely applying to USC— my top choice school— but I’m not so sure about some other colleges:
Tufts (not that strong in CS?)
Northeastern (same as above)
UCSD (doesn’t have an urban feeling?)
maybe CMU (I know I said I won’t apply but I’m still not sure)
Your list is a bit off. Given your stats wouldn’t Georgia Tech and Michigan be reaches.? Also UIUC (our instate) is hard for CS students to get into. You’ve not provided detail on your high school curriculum but given what you have shared you need mire safety schools that are realistic
I guess GATech and UMich should be moved up to reach b/c I’m oos, don’t have amazing stats, and am applying for CS.
But wouldn’t I have to move up University of Washington to ‘Low reach’ then? I heard their CS program is very selective. And I’ll only probably attend if I get Direct Admission or get rejected from all the other schools.
Also, thank you for your concerns, but I put RIT as a safety for a reason (that it’s very cold).
Hate to break it to you but Boston in winter 100 percent qualifies as super freezing. We still have snowbanks here left over from this past winter. Seriously.
CS games is very good at USC and at SUNNY Stony Brook, you might look in to that. Why are you not applying to U Maryland and U Mass Amherst and Purdue. You will have good chances at all of those schools. Please note Purdue is rolling admissions going this point on after Nov 1st. Best wishes.
SUNY Stony Brook is a good school, but seldom “sunny” (i.e. warm) for several months at a time. Students who despise cold & snow probably won’t like it there.