I am looking for more insight into what sorts of colleges I could realistically get into.
SAT - 2200 (CR 780;M 700; W 720)
SAT II - I’ve taken physics and math, but no scores yet
I’ve taken two APs
CompSci and AB Calc
-Senior year taking 5-6 more
Honors: 5 or like 4.5 classes taken
GPA
around 3.7 UW
like 4 weighted
School Ranking is probably gonna be like around top 20%-25%
Attended two high schools
Freshman-Sophomore was super competitive and stressful, my grades weren’t great here
Junior-Senior also competitive, but perfect grades here
State: TX
Like 50 volunteer hours right now.
Looking to major in computer science
More interested in west coast, trying to avoid east coast but not unwilling
Also looking for school that is LGBT friendly
Current List
Harvey Mudd (my dream school, but unsure if I can get in)
UCLA
Rice (maybe)
UT Austin
What would be some good target schools, and safety schools, and how plausible are the schools on my current list?
I’m having a hard time discerning your college selection criteria. I get west coast and comp sci. But it’s unusual to see UCLA and Harvey Mudd on the same list unless you are from CA and the UC system is your ‘in-state’ low cost option.
Do you really not care about the size of the school? Or whether it’s suburban or urban in location? Or whether it’s a tech school or a state U or a private U? Or what the culture of the school is? Or whether graduate level coursework is available in your area? Frats or no frats? Big sports or Div III? There are lots of potential factors, major and minor, that might make a place a good or bad fit. It’s possible that you are one of those who will simply thrive where planted, which is great - but people usually have preferences.
I should take UCLA off my list honestly. It was somewhere I was interested in when i lived in California, but now I don’t so there isn’t as much point in applying to UCs.
Most of those I don’t really care about. I don’t care about size, location, sports, etc. . I’m really not a choosy person.
Only thing I can say is an inclusive culture. I am drawn to smaller schools, but I don’t mind larger schools.
Once you’ve got a few lists and have cross-referenced them (don’t get hung up on which school is ranked higher on which list), pick those that are in the part of the country you want that sound good and do further research. You want to look at the Common Data Set for each school, Section C, to see how you compare academically to the admitted students. You can ‘chance’ yourself and create your own reach/match/safety lists that way.
I agree with the approach above, except I would also search for LGBT friendly campuses, and look for schools that show up on both lists. (Also I think her link is for grad schools, which will miss a lot of good undergrad programs.)
Your test scores are good, your GPA and other academics not quite so good. This is going to hurt you going for the real top of the pyramid schools like Harvey Mudd. This, combined with your lack of ECs (and specifically comp sci related ECs) is going to make those types of schools too much of a reach for you. Maybe you actually have some activities/accomplishments that fill this, but you didn’t list it above. These schools really like to see you doing something interesting, even if it is just a project you work on as a hobby.
On the bright side, there are tons of very good schools in the pool slightly below the top level, and you will definitely have a good chance of getting into most of them. I think you should start with google, make the lists, cross reference them, get a good list of candidate schools and then start hunting down the CDS’s to see how your stats match up.
If cost is not a factor, why not apply to UCLA and UCSD. Harvey mudd, is a big reach and i honestly don’t think your chances are too high. There are a bunch of UC’s that are great for comp sci.
I’d be astonished to learn that any UC wasn’t LGBT-friendly. If you want a more intimate, collaborative environment, consider the College of Creative Studies at UCSB.
I wouldn’t consider Pepperdine at the top of any list as being LGBT friendly.
No bash on them, but they are more of a religious-oriented school where an LGBT student may not feel comfortable.
Also Scripps would be a viable choice, but only if you’re female.
In California, you may want to look at USC. On the East Coast, perhaps Northeastern or even Wesleyan.
Rice and UT-Austin are great choices. If you’re really looking to get out of Tx, however, you may want to consider some of the schools that would be slightly lower tier than Mudd.
Upthread someone mentioned RPI, Case, Rochester and Maryland, which are all good choices.
While you’re exploring specific schools, you may want to cross reference them with the current top 50 list on the Campus Pride site. http://■■■■■■■.com/ooqrqxb
Do not accept that response from your parents! My parents told me that as well and when the actual packages came in, it was a complete 180. Press them on it. Ask them “What is the most you can pay?”
I just want to keep reminding people that UT-Austin is not a “great choice” for most students from outside of TX. Given its statutory mandate to accept the top 7% of students from every high school in the state, it is brutally selective for out-of-state applicants. I would also strongly advise against Pepperdine.
UT Austin would be a reach at 20% or 24.99% rank, but other TX publics are probably automatic admission safeties if your parents are OK with the costs.
I agree with @CaliCash. You really need to know how much your parents can or are willing to pay. Pick some schools people suggested. Run the Net Price Calculator with your parents. Then ask if the money is there.
You really don’t want to apply, be accepted and then be told you can’t go.
Can UT Dallas be your safety? Alabama is another good safety option.